'The Rising' hopes and fears. Review on Mangal Pandey - The Rising

Going into the theatre, for a movie like 'The Rising' you have lots of apprehensions, expectations, etc. First of all Aamir Khan's reputation precedes him , because after delivering hits like the subtle yet, inspiring 'Lagaan' & ultra-cool yet deep 'Dil Chahta Hai' you would have expected any other actor to capitalize on the success of the two movies.But, not so for our Mr.PERFECTIONIST. He waits for 4 long years to actually deliver a movie. I would say that was one hell of a labour.

But then on the other hand there was Ketan Mehta, another gentleman whose reputation precedes him. Not so long ago he gave us duds like 'Maya Memsaab' & 'Oh! Darling Yeh hai India'. Yes that was him. Well, nevermind.

One thing is for sure if you keep all these things in mind you are not going to enjoy a gem of a movie called 'THE RISING'.

Any preconcieved notion you carry into the theatre either about Aamir Khan or Ketan Mehta or anything else remotely related to the movie can damage the eventual experience of the movie on yourself. So, you have only yourself to blame.

So moving on, the movie starts with showing us what a charachter Mangal Pandey really was.He was a man of ideals , principles & trust. In simple words a brahmin you will never find in the real & present world. This is what the whole movie actually revolves around. The movie is about his pride & honour, his sense of responsibility towards fellow-men, his friendship regardless of any boundaries, his angst against the breach of trust & the powers that be and his eventual death.

One thing that the movie tells us is that Mangal Pandey was not a freedom fighter but he was a revolutionary who stirred the nation in his own way. Just as people choose their heroes , time chooses whom to make one. This is what the movie is all

about.

The script is taut but at very few moments lacks continuity and same can be said about the editing.The camera work is just what was needed for a movie like this.Music is A-grade A.R.Rehman. The interception of songs in the film is done in a very interesting manner, maybe, the only thing that can be compared to 'Lagaan'.

Ketan Mehta can lay the ghosts of his past to rest , he has done a fine job. Now lets see what he does next.

Rani Mukherjee, in a small but substantial role shines . Her expressions in the song ''Tumhari adaao pe'' actually reminds us of Rekha in Umrao Jaan.Ameesha Patel has a nothing role and it could have been done by any of the second string actresses, wouldn't have made a difference.

Aamir Khan as 'Mangal Pandey' is convincing but far from his personal best. The real surprise though is Toby Stevens who gives one heck of a performance even while speaking in Hindi. His disagreement with the superiors or his helplessness with

his friend is portrayed with great finesse.

A movie worth watching, an experience worth living.

18/08/2005