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Aarakshan Movie Review

August 10, 2011 04:11:23 PM IST
By Pankaj Sabnani, Glamsham Editorial




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In the very first scene of AARAKSHAN, Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan), while giving a college interview, is made fun of because of his caste. He storms off the room, not before insulting the interviewees and the film begins on a high note. However, as the clock ticks, the graph of the film only heads South.

AARAKSHAN is about Prabhakar Anand (Amitabh Bachchan), who has been the pillar of a private college in Bhopal for more than 30 years. The idealistic principal believes in merit, but at the same time is considerate towards poor students who can't score great marks. Deepak who is immensely helped by Prabharkar, is in love with his daughter, Poorbi (Deepika Padukone). Sushant (Prateik) is a good friend of Poorbi and studies in the same college.

A comment in a newspaper on the Supreme Court's order on reservation lands Prabhakar in a tough spot. He resigns from his post giving way to the scheming Mithilesh Singh (Manoj Bajpai), who's part of the institute but concentrates more on his private coaching classes. Due to his evil plans, Prabhakar and his family are even forced to give up their home. Will Prabhakar be able to reclaim his life, is what ensues.

Based on the social issue of reservation, Prakash Jha's AARARSHAN has its heart at the right place. But it takes so long to convey its message that you run out of patience. The first half, despite taking too long (two back-to-back songs) to get to the central plot, is pretty good. The conflicts between the characters make for a compelling watch. But after the interval, Prakash loses his grip as the narrative just drags. It becomes laborious and repetitive watch, with the story moving at a snail's pace. The climax is too good to be true and fails to have a great impact.

Mods can u plz sticky this.

Can we post tweets from celebrities/industry people..their reaction to the film...or does that only go in the twitter thread?

^^^^^Tweets about celeb/critics can go in here ji...other movie review threads had them...so why not here na

Thank you! ...Simranji?! Hope you're well 😊

	Movie Reviews

By Taran Adarsh, August 11, 2011 - 11:43 IST


A Prakash Jha film is talked about for more reasons than one. It provides food for thought. It sets you thinking. Be it DAMUL, MRITYUDAND, GANGAAJAL, APAHARAN or RAAJNEETI, there was enough fodder in each of those films. Besides, each of those films left an indelible impression on the minds of the viewer. So, quite naturally, the expectations from his new release AARAKSHAN are enormous. This one also tackles a rather serious social issue -- caste-based reservation. However, AARAKSHAN not only talks about reservation, but also about the commercialization of educational institutions.

Not many storytellers have repeatedly succeeded in creating pragmatic films on societal matters, but Jha holds the distinction of doing so in film after film. Be it DAMUL [on bonded labor], MRITYUDAND [on gender inequity], GANGAAJAL [also about the contentious blinding episode at Bhagalpur], APAHARAN [on the abduction situation in Bihar] or RAAJNEETI [on the political state of affairs], Jha's cinema has always illustrated harsh realism in a transfixing and riveting manner.

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We believe in equal rights for all and yet, we continue to be a caste-based society. Through AARAKSHAN, Jha portrays the agony that the youth goes through. The film-maker wants the spectator to comprehend matters around one of the most controversial policies of caste-based reservations in government jobs and educational institutions, a hitherto untouched theme for Hindi cinema.


Like Jha's earlier attempts, AARAKSHAN is, without doubt, a high-voltage socio-political drama. But, most importantly, it takes on issues head-on, without mincing words. However, the storyteller ensures that the film, at no point, gets preachy or drifts into the sermonizing mode. Like Jha's films, AARAKSHAN has a story to tell and several super dramatic moments. Sure, it takes time to comprehend what's going on initially, due to the fact that the film has multiple characters and too much seems to be happening from the start itself, but things fall in place as the story moves forward and the tension starts escalating. While the first hour leaves a hammer-strong impact and is captivating in most parts, it's the second hour that comes across as a mixed bag. More on that later!

AARAKSHAN tells the story of Prabhakar Anand [Amitabh Bachchan], the idealistic principal of a college that he has single-handedly turned into the state's best. It is the story of his loyal disciple, Deepak Kumar [Saif Ali Khan], who will do anything for his Sir. Of Deepak's love for Prabhakar's daughter Poorbi [Deepika Padukone], of his friendship with Sushant [Prateik].

Centered on one of the most controversial issues of recent years, the story suddenly becomes a rollercoaster ride of high drama, conflict and rebellion, which tests their love and friendship for one another and their loyalty to Prabhakar Anand.

Gender bias and caste-based politics are two paramount problems plaguing our society and it's not easy to depict these two issues with accuracy on screen. I am no one to comment whether AARAKSHAN would be able to throw up any enduring solution to the problem, but I am sure that the film would seize your mind and make you deliberate on the issues facing the nation. And that, to me, is akin to accomplishing what Jha must've set out when he green-lit AARAKSHAN. One also relates to the subject instantly because it mirrors the thoughts of a common man, since every family is genuinely concerned about the education and job their child will get.

At the cost of repeating myself, I'd like to say that the dramatic moments in AARAKSHAN make it a riveting experience. The conflict between Amitabh and Manoj Bajpayee in particular and the turn of events during the post-interval portions leave a solid impression, but the narrative tends to get lengthy and a tad uninteresting and repetitive towards the second hour specifically. The conflict between Amitabh and Manoj is well presented and moves to the next level in the second hour, but the sequences thereafter, when Amitabh, Deepika, Saif and even Prateik start conducting classes and educating the students, dilute the impact generated by the first hour. Also, the culmination to the story, when a full-blown confrontation between the government officials and commoners takes place, though well executed, could've been more impactful. In short, the excessive length of the film, more specifically towards the second hour, acts as a deterrent.

An issue-based film rarely has scope for music [Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy] and AARAKSHAN is no different. Nonetheless, Jha weaves the songs smartly in the narrative, which doesn't really hamper the flow of the story. Like every Jha movie, AARAKSHAN is embellished with hard-hitting dialogue and Anjum Rajabali comes up with lines that are sure to be talked-about while thrashing out the merits of the film. Sachin Krishn's cinematography is top class.

The Principal's role is tailor-made for Amitabh Bachchan. Though the actor has portrayed an unsympathetic Principal of an educational institution in MOHABBATEIN earlier, his role is different this time around. In MOHABBATEIN, a delicate episode toughened his character. In AARAKSHAN, his persona begins to suffer when Manoj Bajpayee and the coterie begin to show aggression and debase him. He doesn't strike back initially, but retaliates later, when he starts teaching all over again. The actor gives a completely new dimension to this character.

It requires great courage to cast Saif Ali Khan in the role, but he comes across as very persuasive. In fact, the film offers him several difficult sequences, which the actor carries off with flourish. His diction, while delivering shudh Hindi, is perfect. This role must have been a challenge for Deepika Padukone as well and she surprises you with a confident portrayal. In fact, she has an equally challenging part to play in the story and it must be said that she handles her scenes, even when she's pitted against experienced actors, with complete understanding.

Manoj Bajpayee was remarkable in RAAJNEETI; he played a devious and manipulative politician with gusto. In AARAKSHAN, his character is negative as well; he treats education as a business. And Manoj is incredible this time as well. Prateik is impassive in a few scenes. Also, he needs to loosen up a bit.

Tanvi Azmi is first-rate. Mukesh Tiwari is, as always, top notch. Yashpal Sharma is exceptional. Darshan Jariwala is very good. Saurabh Shukla is wonderful. Chetan Pandit is adequate. Vinay Apte is perfect. Anita Kanwar and S.M. Zaheer are alright. Hema Malini appears towards the end of the film.

On the whole, AARAKSHAN communicates an engaging story with very relatable characters. It's a movie that is truly inspiring and thought-provoking, but at the same time, its running time [almost 2.45 hours] is a deterrent. The film is mired controversies ever since Prakash Jha announced the project, but the controversies will only enhance the curiosity-value for this film. AARAKSHAN not only works as a film, but also as a tool to drive home a forceful message. It's a daring, heroic, commanding and an engaging film that shouldn't be missed!

STARRING Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Bajpai, Deepika Padukone, Prateik Babbar, Shabana Azmi, Tanvi Azmi, Hema Malini, Chetan Pandit, Mukesh Tiwari, Yashpal Sharma and others.

DIRECTION

Prakash Jha

STORY

The plot of the flick revolves around the characters of Prabhakar Anand (Amitabh Bachchan), Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan) and Mithilesh Singh. Prabhakar Anand is the most revered teacher of the state and heads the college that he founded and nurtured till date.

Deeoak Kumar is a dalit teacher who has the highest regard for Prabhakar Anand, but everything changes after Supreme Court announces the verdict on controversial reservation policy of the govt in services and educational institutions.

Mithilesh Singh is an adversary of Prabhakar Anand and has been waiting for the right time to strike on the veteran teacher. Mithilesh Singh (Manoj Bajpai) can go to any length to achieve his objectives and has no qualms hitting below the belt.

Even, Sushant Seth (Prateik Babbar) , who is a very good friend of Deepak Kumar and Poorbi Anand(Deepika Padukone), changes his path after the apex court announces its verdict on the controversial reservations policy of the govt.

Deepak Kumar, who has been very loyal to Prabhakar Anand and can do anything for 'Sir', too decides to strike when the question of choosing on the reservation issue comes. This is even when Deepak is in love with Prabhakar's daughter Poorbi Anand.

What happens to lives of Prabhakar and Deepak and if Mithilesh Singh succeeds in his evil designs, is revealed in the later part of the flick.


PERFORMANCE


Amitabh Bachchan, the veteran actor who plays the character of an idealist Principal Prabhakar Anand, comes out with a riveting performance. Big B has mastered the art of playing strict and idealist characters. Just recall his role in Yashraj's 'Mohabbatein' and you know what I am talking about. However, this time it's different than that and the character seems to excel when in confrontation with Manoj Bajpai.

Manoj Bajpai, who plays the part of Mithilesh Singh, raises the bar once again by playing this baddie before Amitabh Bachchan. In fact, the movie has become more interesting by the dramatic scenes between these two veterans—Amitabh Bachchan and Manoj Bajpai.

While Amitabh Bachchan's character takes education in an idealistic way, to a certain extent like 'super thirty' in Bihar, but Manoj Bajpai is concerned only with the commercialization of education. He wants monetary rewards more than anything else and Manoj has enacted this character with lan.

Saif Ali khan, the Chhote Nawab of bollywood who plays the part of a dalit teacher Deepak Kumar, comes out with a winning and surprising performance. His diction is just perfect and at no place you can say that Saif does not belong to the character. He has allayed all fears of him not being able to play the character due to his royal lineage.

Deepika Padukone, who plays the part of Poorbi Anand, enacts her character with sincerity. Prateik Babbar, who plays the part of Sushant Seth, could have done better by being a little less stiff.

Yashpal Sharma, Tanvi Azmi, Mukesh Tiwari etc extend able support to the main cast of the flick. Darshan Zariwala and Saurabh Shukla carry their parts well. Hema Malini makes a brief appearance towards end of the film and it's ok.

The direction of Prakash Jha is good but more because of the most suitable casting of the character and actors. However, the movie could have been better with less running time. It becomes too lengthy towards the second hour of the flick. However, the dramatic sequences between Amitabh Bachchan and Manoj Bajpai have been executed superbly.

The music from Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy is good and have been neatly put into the narrative. Anjum Rajbali's dialogues suit the genre of the flick. Cinematography from Sachin Krishn adds value to the whole venture. Other production values are also good.


STARDUST VERDICT


Amitabh Bachchan and Manoj Bajpai have made the whole venture more interesting. Their dramatic confrontations should hold the attention of viewers in this issue based flick. As the film has already generated enough controversy, it should get a good opening at the multiplexes. However, the bans from different state govts may prevent its reach to the intended masses. Let us hope for the best. A good flick from Prakash Jha.

STAR Rating: *** 3/5

I am so excited about these coming two months...After a long time some interesting movies to look forward to...Aarakshan and Mausam...yayyy!!!!

But I hope they release the unabridged/uncensored version of Aarakshan out here in US of A...