Prakash Jha's 'Gangajal' was engrossing fare, hence I was eager to catch his next venture, 'Apaharan', based on the state of general lawlessness in Bihar and focusing specifically on the kidnapping trade there, which has almost taken shape of a parallel industry.
The movie didn't disappoint. It is an honest effort by a talented director. The story line shows how normal, middle class, educated youth lose their way and enter the underworld due to a lack of options. The end of all this can only be bad and the director leads the film onto its tragic and bloody conclusion. The casting is superb. Ajay Devgan as the youth gone astray is very good and gives an understated performance. The other actors, Mohan Agashe, Mukesh Tiwari and Dayashankar Pandey are very good as well. But Nana Patekar as the corrupt politician steals the show with a brilliant performance. He steers clear from being loud and verbose, something he has been guilty of doing in some of his past performances. He also delivers some of the best lines in the movie and gets ample scope to show his range. Bipasha Basu, in a blink and you'll miss it role, is unnecessary and wasted. The story could have done without her.
Some people might think of the film as dark and depressing, but I felt that the subject deserved to be treated in this manner and films like these are only diluted if subjected to too much of the commercial formula. Prakash Jha, however could not resist adding a mindless item number. The second half tends to be longer and more dragging than the first and this is my only major criticism of the film. Otherwise, a well made picture with solid performances.
3/5
Cheers!
Abhishek.
The movie didn't disappoint. It is an honest effort by a talented director. The story line shows how normal, middle class, educated youth lose their way and enter the underworld due to a lack of options. The end of all this can only be bad and the director leads the film onto its tragic and bloody conclusion. The casting is superb. Ajay Devgan as the youth gone astray is very good and gives an understated performance. The other actors, Mohan Agashe, Mukesh Tiwari and Dayashankar Pandey are very good as well. But Nana Patekar as the corrupt politician steals the show with a brilliant performance. He steers clear from being loud and verbose, something he has been guilty of doing in some of his past performances. He also delivers some of the best lines in the movie and gets ample scope to show his range. Bipasha Basu, in a blink and you'll miss it role, is unnecessary and wasted. The story could have done without her.
Some people might think of the film as dark and depressing, but I felt that the subject deserved to be treated in this manner and films like these are only diluted if subjected to too much of the commercial formula. Prakash Jha, however could not resist adding a mindless item number. The second half tends to be longer and more dragging than the first and this is my only major criticism of the film. Otherwise, a well made picture with solid performances.
3/5
Cheers!
Abhishek.
3 comments:
Yeah, I liked the movie too. nana was natural.
You know, I really like your movie reviews, very well written. And I dunno how but you inevitably end up reviewing something that Im planning to watch, therefore giving me an idea of what to expect. I was wondering about Nana Patekar, he can honestly be so tiresome with those loooooong rants, but you say he is not as loud and verbose as before..hmm...looking forward to this now :)
cogtio - hey zinda was ok. im guessing 'oldboy' will be a treat to watch.
ron - haha..thanks! nana is doing some good stuff these days. i quite liked him in ab tak chappan, and bluffmaster and of course, apaharan. enjoy the movie!
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