I don't remember when I last saw a movie that had a story to tell and
a message to give -- and did so in a real, gritty manner without being
either preachy or dreary.
Some people say history is boring. But sometimes walking through the
lanes of the past can be enjoyable and gratifying, especially if your
guide is someone as gifted as Rakyesh Mehra and companions as spirited
as Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Kunal Kapoor and Soha.
If Mehra's directorial debut "Aks" was unusual, his latest
"Rang De Basanti" is atypical and awe-inspiring. It is not
a patriotic film that bores you by glorifying the past. Instead, it
meticulously draws a line between the past and the present, both of
which move in parallel lines. If the past shows a group of young martyrs
sacrificing their lives to uproot the British from the country, the
present has a bunch of college pass-outs clueless about their future.
The film records their transition while they work on a documentary
film based on the lives of freedom fighters, a gradual awakening to
what life around them is all about.
If Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev fought against British rule, these youngsters
wage a war against corrupt politicians who rule and ruin the country.
The film opens in London where young British girl Sue, played by Alice
Patten, chances upon the diary of her grandfather, who served as a jailor
during the British rule in India. She decides to make a film on the
young Indian revolutionaries mentioned in the diary.
The company she works in refuses to sponsor her. It doesn't dampen
her spirit and she flies down to India where she meets Sonia, played
by Soha Ali Khan, who helps her in realising her dream. Sonia introduces
her to DJ (Aamir Khan), Karan (Siddharth), Sukhi (Sharman Joshi), Aslam
(Kunal Kapoor). After meeting them, Sue decides to make a film with
them on martyrs like Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad and Rajguru.
Initially, they surprise her with their cynicism about freedom fighters,
India's future and corruption. The youngsters are convinced nobody can
propel India in the right direction.
But once
they begin enacting the lives of the historical characters comes the
transformation in their outlook about the present and their own role
in changing it. The death of their friend, Flt. Lt. Ajay Rathod, played
by R. Madhavan, ignites their anger against the system and they explode.
The film sends out the message that every generation fights its own
set of battles for the country.
Hindu fundamentalists are also targeted in the film through Atul Kulkarni,
an extremist who fights to retain his Indian-ness. After watching the
film, the pre-release hype over MiG fighter planes seems pointless.
Most films these days have a predictable story and viewers are usually
a step ahead in foreseeing what's next. But Mehra proves to be cleverer
and keeps the curiosity alive till the end. The climax comes as a big
'surprise'.
Aamir proves his mettle as a cheerful extrovert, though at some places
his age betrays him. Anyway, "Rang De Basanti" cannot be termed
an out and out Aamir film because the rest of the cast gets equal opportunity
to showcase their talents and they don't disappoint you even once.
The film has stellar performances by the entire cast. British actress
Alice Patten is brilliant and Soha surprises by her acting prowess.
In fact, this could be called her best performance so far.
Om Puri, Kirron Kher and Waheeda Rehman walk in and out of the script
in minuscule roles.
A.R. Rahman's music complements the story, but the editing is a little
loose and at times obstructs the flow of the story.
In sum, an entertaining film -- and an enlightening one too. Well worth
the money spent.