AGNEEPATH 125cr after 4th week - Page 61

By Diksha Sahni

In 1990, film producer Yash Johar brought to the silver screen a tale of revenge and crime starring Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role of Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. That film, "Agneepath" (Path of Fire), won him the coveted National Award for Best Actor.One dialogue in the film, delivered in Mr. Bachchan's trademark baritone – "Vijay Deenanath Chauhan, poora naam. Baap ka naam Dinanath Chauhan, Maa ka naam Suhasini Chauhan, gaon Mandwa" - has become the film's most memorable moment.

More than 20 years later, his son Karan Johar, a director and producer, brings back the vendetta tale on the big screen. This time around, Vijay Dinanath Chauhan is interpreted by actor Hrithik Roshan.

The film is the tale of Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, who swears to avenge his father's death after he was killed by a drug lord, Kancha Cheena (actor Sanjay Dutt in the remake). Mr. Johar, who says the film is a tribute to his late father, is open about that fact that his version moves away from the original story.

Directed by Karan Malhotra, the film got rave reviews from critics thanks to its gripping screenplay and the impressive performances of its actors.

Here's what some of them had to say about the film:

On the Web site Bollywood Hungama, film critic Taran Adarsh, gave the movie four-and-half-stars out of five and thought that the film was "hard-hitting yet entertaining," adding that the director has done a "remarkable" job of adapting the cult classic.

"A vendetta story needs to be garnished with several terrific dramatic moments and Malhotra does just that. His handling of the subject deserves brownie points," Mr. Adarsh wrote. He thought that the action sequences were "raw and gritty," meaning it is likely to draw "whistles and claps."

Mr. Adarsh praised Mr. Roshan's "astoundingly arresting performance."

"'Agneepath' reiterates the fact that Hrithik has grown into a far superior and complete performer. In fact, the performance has the potential to keep the whistle blowers busy thanks to his magnificent interpretation of an iconic character," the critic noted.

In his opinion, the most striking is that of Rauf Lala, played by veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, whom he thought was "exceptional" in his portrayal of the bad guy.

A review on Daily Bhaskar said the film has a lot of impressive moments, but that these were tied together in a "haphazard manner."

The review, which gave the film three-and-half stars out of five, described the performances as "stupendous," particularly those of Messrs. Dutt and Kapoor.

But the review found the film's editing and lackluster music as weak.

In a "tweet review" on news Web site CNN-IBN, Rohit Vats said "Sanjay Dutt redefines the quintessential Bollywood villian. Such a bad man has returned after a long time."

In line with other critics, Mr. Vats praised Mr. Roshan's re-interpretation of the character, saying, "His absolute brilliance in [the] emotional scene right before the interval keeps the audience hooked."

Sonia Chopra, who reviewed the film on Web site Sify.com, said that while the film doesn't come close to the original, it has its share of brilliant performances.

She said the film was "visually striking" and that despite the grimy story, the "relationships are tender, loving, and layered."

"Time stands still when Vijay reunites with his kid sister in a magical scene. This portion is the film's strongest achievement; you cannot help being taken in by the overwhelming emotion," Ms. Chopra noted.

On the performance front, she was all praise for Mr. Roshan, who she thought "will blow your socks off with his rendering of Vijay where he masterfully folds in vulnerability with strength" and said that Mr. Kapoor was a "scene stealer" who impresses with his "superbly effortless, nuanced act."

She also praised the efforts of the director, who shows "great promise in making the film visually arresting and maintaining the consistency of performances."

Giving the film three stars out of five, Ms. Chopra concluded that the film was worth watching "essentially to savor Hrithik's performance."

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