Everything sells; and that includes morality and values as well. In a world increasingly given to material pursuits and self-advancement at the cost of ethics and morality, nothing remains sacrosanct – not even life. What are of prime importance are the ends of the project and not the means used to achieve the ends. And for such advancement in life and career, for the fulfillment of such an ambition, there is but only one road – the road of Crime, not any crime but Organized Crime.
Organized Crime is not a joke. It’s no laughing matter either. It requires more patience, perseverance and judgement than a normal career in the markets. It requires more than an individual to ensure the fulfillment of ambition; it requires a Company.
Company (2002) is one of the best films ever on the inside workings of the Organized Crime industry. In fact, no movie even comes close to revealing the nexus of the movers and the shakers of high society with these elements than Company, neither does any movie give a more detailed and deep look on how the top brass of a criminal syndicate function. The feel of the movie is so real that at times, one can mistake it for a documentary. This would be a sarcastic comment on many movies but when said about Company, it’s the greatest compliment ever.
Company is the story of the rise and fall of a gangster and his equations with his big boss – the CEO of the company. It is a study in profile of the falling in and falling out of two powerful men and it’s impact on a society reeling under their acts.
Ajay Devgan as Malik – the CEO – delivers another power packed performance. This movie marks a great leap forward in the growth of an actor who was once lampooned for his performances. Malik is not an easy role. The role requires the actor to instill a feeling of fear, power and authority without being melodramatic. Not an easy one by any standards. That his dialogues are few and far in between do not help matters a lot. Despite these handicaps, Ajay delivers. At no point of the movie, does he lack in intensity, in fact his silence becomes the perfect way to move the movie ahead. An exceptional performance.
Vivek Oberai as Chandu, in his first movie in filmdom is exceptional. It’s indeed a matter of great regret that despite such immense talent and screen presence, Vivek has failed to stand tall in an industry ruled by lesser actors. Chandu is not an easy role. The actor has to convey the humble background of the protagonist, his personal thirst for power, money and status, give a hint of emotional vulnerability in a hardened criminal’s heart and exude an innocence that cannot be killed, in each and every frame; still the young actor delivers all the requirements with panache. Any overacting in his role would throw the film flat on the roads but it’s to the credit of Vivek that Chandu is able to chart a convincing graph of a middle class unemployed youth who thirsts for ultimate power to the rebel Mafioso of a rebel gang efortlessly.
Seema Biswas, Antara Mali, Manisha Koirala all perform their roles with complete ease. Antara in fact is more effective than Manisha in all her scenes. As is the wont of all Ram Gopal Verma films, all the bit and role actors also give their roles an interpretation that’s nothing short of remarkable.
Although all actors in this movie are absolutely brilliant, everyone is overshadowed by a storm from Kerala – Mohanlal. What a brilliant performance! This man overshadows all other actors with a role that’s exceptionally well etched and exceptionally well performed. Each and every nuance has been captured and each and every expression is perfectly defined. His confrontation with Ajay in the earlier part of the movie brings a feeling of uneasiness in the movie and it’s to the credit of this thespian that the movie goes on ascending level after level effortlessly till the grand finale. Personally speaking, Mohanlal comes as a fresh air of spontaneous acting to an industry well stocked with numerous documented mannerisms for each and every scene.
Ram Gopal Verma is undoubtedly one of the best directors of modern Hindi Cinema. In an era run by stars, the fact that his name sells tickets is a clear indication of his star status in the Friday marquee. With Company, RGV (as he’s known) demonstrates what separates a topline director from the also-rans; a genius from copycats and a man of imagination from machines of mass production. Although the climax of the movie may seem a little contrived, overall RGV manages to maintain a fast tempo throughout the movie. The telephonic confrontation between Ajay and Mohanlal towards the end of the movie is a new genre in filmmaking and it has been well played off. In a movie where the emphasis was on action, RGV also manages to sketch out personal relationships in an acceptable fashion. Indeed, no small task for any director.
Sandeep Chowta comes up with a fast, racy composition for the movie. Although low on posterity value, the compositions are good enough and manage to get your adrenaline running. Asha Bhonsle at this age also proves that whatever be the age, talent can never go Khalaas.
A brilliant movie if you crave excitement.