Seriously, the title song should be changed from ''Rang De Basanti'' to the tune from Main Pyar Kyun Kiya...Let's killllll let's killl.... Hey, has a certain ring to it, and reflects the outcome of the film quite well! Anyways, my review shall be divided into two segments; the first being the film itself, and the second being the message behind the film. So let me start with ''the film.''
THE FILM:
The story is basically of a group of so called youngsters in Delhi University, who are just chililng out and enjoying life behind University walls. The feel like they have nothing to look forward to in the real world, as India has nothing to offer them. Aamir (Daljit aka DJ) hangs out in the University even though he graduated about 5 years ago (although he looks like he graduated about 15 years ago...Hey, at least he has kept his hairstyle and clothing up to date.) Anyways, their group of friends consists of DJ, Sonia (soha ali khan), Aslam (Kunal Kapoor I think), Karan, and Sukhi. There is also Pandey (Atul Kulkarni) who is basically a biggot and hates muslims, westernization, and anything that goes against the traditional Hindu culture.
Sue, a British friend of Sonia comes to India to make a film on the life of Bhaghat Singh, base on her grandfather's diary. Her grandfather was a British officer who interacted with Bhagat and his crew when they were imprisoned. Sue meets the gang and feels that they would fit the characters perfectly. So the gang, convinced by Sue and Sonia (and coaxed by DJ cause of his soft corner for Sue), agree to be in the film. They start rehearsing and can't relate to what Bhagath and his crew did at all. They don't understand why anyone would give their life for such a crappy country, until an event which changes their viewpoint. Sonia's fiancee, MAdhavan, a patriotic airforce pilot and the gang's friend, dies in a plane crash. Prior to his death, he explains to all of these guys that instead of complaining about the system, they need to change it by becoming IAS officers etc. The gang laughs at his outlook, but after his death, realizes that something must be done. The defense minister blames his death on Madhavan's rash and bad flying skills, as opposed to the truth which is the government buying cheap and malfunctioning parts for the govt. planes. By this time, Pandey has realized the injustice of the system he so supported, and has joined the gang as well.
So simply, the gang is so pissed off, that they decide to kill the defense minister. (?) Boom, apparently, a generation has ''awakened.'' Ironically, a modern day story of Bhagath Singh takes place when the gang originally laughed at the story. I will leave the rest of the story for you...
Well, I will have to say, if you look at Rang De Basanti purely as a FILM, it is very well made. It flows well. The parallelism and scenes drawn between what the gang is going through and the story of Bhagath SIngh is VERY well executed.
Aamir does a great job without overshadowing anyone. Although, he REALLY doesnt look 25... Maybe from really far away, but then so does Dev Anand from reaaaallllly far away... But still, is great with his very cute and typical Punjabi dialogues. The crew ROCKS! Loved the character of Aslam, Sukhi, Karan, and Pandey. Special kudos to ATul Kulkarni for his portrayal of Pandey. The scenes with his confrontations with Aslam cause he is Mulsim, and the scenes where he realizes how wrong he was are touching. Soha does a very good job as the sweet and yet spunky Sonia. She can do well in the industry, as long as she is not turned into an over- padded barbie doll. She acts well. Hopefully, she gets roles with substance... And the British chick spoke fabulous Hindi, and acted very well surprisingly!
The music was quite good, although could have been picturized in better areas of the movie. For example, I love the tune RU Ba Ru. Everytime I have heard this song, the lyrics totally inspire me! Inspire me to DO something! For myself! For the world! For God! I see myself running in an open field, with wind blowing through my hair! In the movie, its picturized after the gang shoots the defense minister. Some inspiration. I think the wind just blew my hair away...
But all in all, its well made. I also loved Kiron Kher, who as usual is great in the role of Aamir's Punjabi Mom. Too cute! And madhavan is as usual, adorable with his great smile, and really suited the role of the patriotic airforce pilot... Lots of great and touching dialogues, especially about Aamir telling Sue, how behind college walls, he is someone and controls his destiny, and outside of college well, destiny controls him. After that its just the same ol' life...work, money, family... so true so true...
All in all, in a technical and creative aspect, very well made.... Now about the MESSAGE.
THE MESSAGE
OK, the message sucked. Basically, if this is meant to be an inspiration film, its NOT!! Yeah, great! Hey young generation! WAKE UPPPP! WAKE UP so you can get shot and killed! (Oops, did I give away the ending?) If they are trying to inspire the youth to stand up for themselves, THEY SHOULDN'T PASS A MESSAGE THAT KILLING IS THE ANSWER! That's what the politicians do, right?? When they discover someone does not agree with them or is against them, they have them killed right?? So basically, you are telling people THAT is the way to handle it?? I realize they showed the gang killing the minister out of sheer disgust and frustration for the system. BUT THAT IS NOT THE WAY to resolve it!!! After that defense minister, ANOTHER corrupt defense minister will come along! Will you shoot him too??
And to me, the silliest was that AFTER shooting the defense minister (and his Dad because apparently he supported the defense minister) he is telling someone that kiling is not the answer. If you want to change the system, become an IAS officer etc. Really, just like YOU did??? You know, we should all go and shoot our Dads if we dont agree with them, as opposed to at LEAST FIRST trying to have a rational conversation with them!
I was not raised in India. I was raised in the US. But this film completely contradicted my piece ''NRI-Not really Indian?'' which I wrote on mouthshut just a few days ago. Look, I dont know what India is like...I only see it when I go there for a few weeks, and always love it. But it seems to me that Rang De Basanti is just trying to say ''there is no hope! Sorry!'' If that is what they are showing, why would anyone even try??? I know I wouldnt, if I knew I was going to get my brains blown out!
And this film passes that message to NRI's who already have a bad impression of India, its corruption, and its ''dishonest'' people. Definitely gives them more fuel... I dont know. If this is the case in INdia, that there is NO hope, it's really sad... I like to believe that India is changing for the better...The youth IS working on changing it,and it WILL change. THis movie tells me ''Yeah right. Good luck.'' Maybe I live in a bubble.. Would love to hear from others in INdia, and whether or not they thought the movie was realistic...
In short, I thought the message in this movie was very depressing and not the LEAST inspiring to make any changes. I still say the answer is not KILLING people! But the movie does bring up an interesting question...Is the youth of India ''westernizing'' in terms of attire, thoughts, music etc, but not correcting the fundamental issues?? It's kind of like a man wearing an amazing armani suit, and shiny polished shoes, but having on a dirty ''chaddi''.... This film makes you question a lot... And its really quite disturbing...
