Ab Tak Chappan is nothing but a Nana Patekar?s movie. There were only two expectations from the movie ? ?the Story? and ?Nana?s acting?. And, I give 7 of 10 to ?the Story? and 10 of 10 to ?Nana?s acting?. And that?s not without a reason. Please read on;
The Story
The story of the movie tries portraying the harsh realities of a police job, and it?s standing in the industry of ?death and slaughter?. In various ways, the story draws similarity with the movie ?Company?. The concept is similar, except that the roles have changed. Company concentrated upon Underworld, whereas in this movie, the subject of concentration was Police (Crime Branch), underworld?s bitter rival in the industry. But, the writer has forgotten a golden rule that the talks take place at equal ranks in a industry. A chief of underworld is supposed to talk to a police chief, and not to a low ranked police inspector.
A low ranked police inspector?s standing in the industry is that of a sharp shooter, and nothing more than that. Therefore, an underworld chief constantly calling up a police sharp shooter looks ridiculous. Otherwise the story is cool. All other aspects, like breaking rules, killing without thinking, internal rivalry and bonding, flow of decisions, power structure etc look pretty credible. That?s why I think story is quite well done, except for a few aberrations.
Nana?s Acting
This is where the movie excels. Nana?s acting in the movie has been just fantabulous. I never knew before this that Nana has touched 55, and if there were no media reports, wouldn?t have known even after this movie. He never looked like 55 years old in the movie, though he very much looked like a young lad in his 30?s with a burning desire to kill, and just kill. Nana, in the movie, portrays a character of a police encounter specialist, doing a balancing act under the forces of apathy of seniors, threat of underworld, jealousy and politicking of a junior, and expectations of a family. And, man he does it wonderfully! Though, as per the requirement of the role, he ends up losing to the forces, and reincarnates himself in a new avatar. But the way his struggles, are commendable. He has thrown life into his role. He faced two seniors in the movie, one of them a patron and the other a resistor, or rather a destroyer.
The character is supposed to bear them both, and Nana does it coolly enough, supported by his ?don?t care much? philosophy (on and probably off screen too). The character is supposed to make mockery of the threat from the underworld and Nana just do a little more than that. His ease of dialogue delivery, while talking to the underworld don would put the real encounter specialists to shame. The series of dialogues between him and the underworld don, Zameer, is the most entertaining part of the movie. His dealing with a junior and an internal rival (played by Yashpal Sharma) is just what it was supposed to be, a series of insignificant altercations. But, the way Nana has made it look significant is commendable.
However, the highlight of his acting in the movie is the self controlled remorse, on the death of his wife (played by Revathi). This is what a strong willed encounter specialist is supposed to portray, a sense of urgency to avenge his wife?s death without being hysteric. And, that acting of Nana made a no-suspense into suspense. No-suspense because a keen mind would have noticed the real reason for his wife?s death, much before it was actually disclosed in the movie, but for Nana?s acting.
The movie overall
The movie overall is a definite entertainer. It doesn?t boast of a huge star cast, but I think Nana?s presence is more than enough to take care of that. However, acting of other actors is also commendable. Yashpal Sharma, as always, has acted pretty well. The new kid on the block, Nakul Vaid, has looked pretty cool in the role he played.
Revathy and Hrishitta are also good. Another actor whom I liked a lot in this movie is Prakash Purandare, Zameer Bhai, the underworld don. The innocent notoriety on his face was threatening. However, the movie definitely was a platform for Nana?s return. And, voila what a return it is. Just don?t miss it!!!