Warning: Contains few spoilers and “my” views
This is the first time I saw the fist day, first show of a movie and I’m happy that I did.
Storyline:
Rang De Basanti tells the story of Sue (Alice Payton) who comes to India to make a documentary on Indian freedom struggle as mentioned in her grandfather’s diary. She meets Sonia (Soha Ali Khan), DJ (Aamir Khan), Karan (Siddharth), Aslam (Kunal Kapoor), Sukhi (Sharman Joshi) and Laxman Pandey (Atul Kulkarni) who are all college students and work as actors for her documentary but due to some twists and turns, she finally ends up amidst another revolution in the making.
Pluses:
- The movie is well directed. I was really hoping that it doesn’t turn out to be a disaster like “Aks”. But Raykesh Omprakash Mehra didn’t disappoint me. It has a fresh storyline, good screenplay, fantastic cinematography and efficient editing. The film is technically very good.
- The film has a great cast and the fact that most of them are relatively new helps. All performances are commendable. Aamir Khan is good, as expected. Kunal Kapoor and Sharman Joshi are impressive. Soha Ali Khan is surprisingly good. Atul Kulkarni is always efficient so that’s no surprise. Alice acts well and speaks great Hindi. The best performance, however, belongs to Siddharth. It is his character that is “awakened” by the happenings the most and he is remarkable in his role. Thats good casting at work.
- The dynamics of the group has been well-developed. Even the relationships within the group, like the Aamir – Sharman duo and the closeness between Siddharth and Soha have been developed effectively.
- The dialogues are different from the normal fare and all the songs are of course superb. The placement of most songs is good too. In fact, “Rubaroo” gets the best place a song can ask for in a movie.
- The film tries to present the freedom fighters in a new light. Sepia tone, special effects and bike chases make them look very cool.
- The film touches a very contemporary issue of MIG accidents.
- The movie never gets too dull or boring. Its entertaining throughout. It also has a certain freshness about it.
- The message of the movie has been put across well.
Minuses:
- Aamir Khan looks old. I know he is a great actor (though overrated) but if the director could find so many young actors for other roles, he could have very well found someone to play Aamir’s role. Bollywood really needs younger actors.
- The mixing of scenes from the freedom struggle with the present scenario works most of the time but not always. Some people in the audi even laughed when the five heroes were shown as freedom fighters just before they enter the AIR.
- The Jalianwala Bagh sequence is not effective. Its a little shoddy. Though the satirical replacement of General Dwyer with the Defence Minister as part of a dream is funny.
- Even though the songs are good, the film could have done with lesser number of songs.
My Rating: 8/10
My Verdict: A well-made movie definitely worth a watch.
I’m really thankful to INOX for starting SMS booking. No, I don’t buy my tickets though it but others do and then they don’t turn up to collect them on time and so I get a ticket to “sold out” shows at the last moment and that too in the second row from the top. This has happened thrice till now.
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Seems to be nice movie. Everyone is praising it.
BTW what is Inox ? the multiplex near Marathahalli ??
@greensatya: It is a great moive.
No, that Innovative Multiplex. Never been there but’ve been told it sux.
Inox is part of a large multiplex chain and is located in Garuda Mall on Magrath Road opposite to the erstwhile Shoppers’ Stop
FDFS, that was great. I will definitely watch Rang de.. this weekend. Theek hai yaar, aamir playing a 15 year younger, but meaningful role is always more digestable than the likes of Shah rukh and Saif passing off as fairy tale romantic heores in their 20′s when actually they will make good company for my old Boss here.
i hope i get to see it soon!
@sej: It was great!!
I know. He was good in the movie but still it would have been better to have someone younger.
@akanksha: I hope so too!!!
Great movie indeed. Putting aside the message it tries to convey, it is a very well crafted entertaining movie.
RDB is especially high on great visual moments. Pick of the lot:
The whole bunch drives past the India Gate and everyone (most of them, drunk) stands up and salutes, with “Loose Control.. Be a Rebel” playing in the background.
There are many other great scenes.
I am definitely watching this movie again.
@anon: Hey, how are you doing?
I find it interesting that you only comment on my posts related to RDB.
It is a great movie and does have lots of great moments. I’m planning to see it again too
i’m not reading this now…
i’l read after i watch the movie…
@freeze: No probs. It doesnt give away much tho
Hey Raj!
I am doing fine.
I came to your blog through the link of your RDB audio review posted on ARR Yahoo Group.
I was sure you will post a movie review also. And I was right.
@anon: Yes, you were right! Am i that easy to figure out? *sad*
Hi Raj
Nice blog. And about your review, I really liked it. Not only the fact that you praised the film but also the way you wrote the review. Precise and informational at the same time. Nice!
- Aaina
http://www.aainaism.com
@aaina: Thank you for being so generous with compliments
Raj,
I like your succint “storyline”. Yes, Amir’s a bit too old for the role of an-student, but I do think he’s a superb actor.
Both of our reviews agree on the fact that the movie’s great though.
-Amodini
hey, i watched the movie.. and i liked it! I dont care if aamir looks old… there is no one else who cud have done it better.
I guess i liked the movie coz it does not have dumb songs every half an hr or so. I liked ‘mixing of scenes from the freedom struggle with the present scenario’… somethin different. lots of things actually… but this’ll become a post if i go on writing
@amodini: Thanks. I also to a large extent have forgiven Aamir for being too old for this movie
@freeze: Yeah, I forgot to mention this point in the review. The film has ten songs but all in the background. Nobody ever sings them
wow dude:P
@xohra:
Long time no see!