Jan 26, 2006 03:40 AM
5300 Views
(Updated Mar 14, 2006 10:07 AM)
Rang De Basanti is a superlative collective effort. Everyone and I mean everyone has pitched in and the result shows. After the forgettable Aks, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra finally proves his mettle here.
Plot in brief : RDB is a story of 5 friends, who are disillusioned with India and its current state of affairs. Aamir Khan plays DJ ( Daljeet), who even after graduating from college, still hangs out in the university campus to feed his ego. Giving him company in good times and bad times are Sharmaan Joshi (Sukhi), Kunal Kapoor( Aslam), Soha Ali Khan Pataudi ( Sonai) and Siddhartha ( Karan) . Alice Patten ( Sue) the granddaughter of the officer who ordered and witnessed the hanging of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, comes to India to shoot a documentary. By a quirk of fate, she feels that they will be just right to play the leads in her documentary. Atul Kulkarni (Laxman Pande) is a anti-western culture campaigner. He clashes with the group but after much cajoling, he is convinced to play a part in the documentary and shooting begins. Madhavan (Ajay) is Soha's boyfriend and a pilot. Just after proposing marriage, he is killed in a plane crash. This incident and the backlash that follows changes the beliefs, ideologies and lives of these people....
The first half of RDB is lighter, with loads of humour. The entire cast gets their comic timing just about right. With the songs coming on at the correct time, one feels that the director knows the pulse of the audience. The college atmosphere is captured perfectly... with memorable lines like : '' College ke gate ke us paar hum zindagi ko nachate hai, aur is paar zindagi hume nachati hai ....... ''
RDB blends flashback scenes of our freedom struggle with the current day happenings with great panache. In the second half, the mood is a little sombre and the movie starts making its point. Although RDB could have easily toed the line, it refrains from being a jingoistic exercise in patriotism.
The cinematography an the editing is very good, but maybe about 15 minutes from the second half could have been trimmed. With a unique story line and a never before climax, RDB scores heavily.
Performances :
Aamir Khan : Could have hogged the show, but he doesnt. Playing the protagonist, he sizzles in a scorcher of a performance, playing the care-a-damn college pass out and the mature rebel with equal elan. His chemistry with Alice Patten is amazing and he looks 25 !! Another feather in his cap!
Atul Kulkarni : Gives a rock solid performance . His eyes speak volumes..
Sharmaan Joshi : Proves that he can act too... not just do a Style and a Shaadi No. 1.
Kunal Kapoor: Is perfectly casted as the muslim, his angst at being cornered at home is unreal..
Siddhartha: plays an important role in the climax.. he does not have a author backed role, but still does admirably well.
Soha Ali Khan Pataudi : her first notable performance, she is sincere and sweet .
Alice Patten : RDB is presented from her point of view and a bad job could have soured the entire movie. But she emotes from just the right wavelengths....
Kirron kher, Madhavan : Both sparkle in cameos
RDB does not scream in your face urging you to be patriotic but on the other hand ,it is a silent understatement, which connects where it should.
Im glad I saw this movie as the clock struck midnight to usher in our Republic Day.
Rang De Basanti rocks fro the first frame to the last. Go for it.
