Its about the film ’’DEV’’, by One of the most sensible and sensitive directors Govind Nihlani ( who had given excellent classics like Ardhsatya and Drohkal). This is a film apart from the feel good happy family films of chiffon clad beauties and expensive family functions (which only tata, reliance can afford, I fear even they can’t) or bags full of testosterone in which hero seems to come from jupiter. Neither it has cheap double meaning so called comedies nor any item numbers.
Then why one should watch this film? If you have a taste to watch naked truth devoid of any ’’masala’’ then this is a perfect film for you, though its not free from pitfalls(especially technical), but they can be forgiven in comparison to the overall spirit of film.
It is one of those thought-provoking films which will remind you of the deteriorating situations of country regarding growing intolerance for coexistence of various communities, and how it has crept into police system. Though you may fell that its again the same old story of dirty nexus of politicians and social criminals, and the bad cop versus good cop story. But its treatment is different with a different viewpoint and presentation. It raises the issue of communalisation of Police system.
It shows that our police also comes from the same society in which we live and they have same ideological conflicts amongst themselves. They too have liberals and fanatics. It deals with the pressures they have to undergo from politicians, communal leaders and communally inclined cops amongst themselves. It indirectly presents us a downtoned picture of what would happened in Gujraat and mumbai riots (though nowhere stated directly to avoid legal issues). It beautifully depicts how riots are engineered and the anger and frustration of young blood is exploited to take the wrong path. It gives us a glimpse of what would have happened in Gujraat riots when the whole state machinery was with rioters and they programmed mass genocide.
Amitabh, the protagonist, represents the struggle and frustrations of those few upright officers who have conscience and who had tried to maintain law and order against all odds in Gujraat riots. Om-puri symbolizes to those fundamentalist police officers who become puppets in hands of communal politicians like MODI ( represented by Amrish Puri) and who uses power for wrong reasons. Fardeen is a misguided youth representing the frustration and anger of muslim youth who are questioned even after 50 years of independence to prove there loyalty for our secular country.
There are few anti-social elements in minorities , but they are in each community and when a whole community is held responsible and mentally tortured for it, it actually gives rise to crime. So they are caught in catch-22 situation. Kareena indirectly plays the role of Zaheera-Sheikh ( Best-bakery case of Gujraat) who dared to speak against rioters as a witness. ( Actually the real situation is still worse to that extent that even judiciary had failed to give justice to Shah-bano in Gujraat ). Milind Gunajee and Ehsaan Khan are hindu and muslim leaders cum politicians who actually have nothing to do with religion but what matters for them is only vote mathematics.
Film progresses slowly with friendship of Ompuri and Bachchan who have different ideologies. The distance between them grows up as film goes ahead. All other characters enters in there lives and change the direction of there life and friendship. Kareena and Fardeen are excellent too.
There are weak points in film. First of all it has poor sound. Dialogues are difficult to hear and dubbing is improper which gives the effect of mismatch between voice and lip-movements at several places. Secondly it has some logical faults.
A police-officer who does every thing by the book shoots a student at small provocation just at the begining of the film which is unreal and paradoxical to character of Dev. Again he orders direct firing on a violent mob without any hierarchical measures used by police like tear-gas , then shoot in air , then shoot in leg and then ultimately shoot to kill. But he jumps to last step directly again not matching with his character. Then story in 1st quarter have slow pace.
With few songs and some big lectures make viewer feel a bit bored for some time in 1st half of the film. But this is the kind of film which builds the pressure and tension slowly and till the end of the film a lot of lava is accumulated in viewers. It builds slow but very strong unrest and uneasiness which will compel to think even a die-hard fanatic that how they are fooled in interests of political and religious leaders.
Direction and script is good except few shortcomings mentioned above. Ompuri and bachchanjee have acted flawlessly. It seems there is no possibility of improvement to there perfection. Others have also delivered fine performances.
Music is melodious and there are no unreal dance numbers or romantic songs. Karishma has debuted into singing arena with one song. Cinematography is good.
So overall its an excellent movie with a strong social message. But DONT GO if you are expecting any masala or light timepass. It is highly satisfying when you are looking for some sensible stuff which touches the hidden dilemmas of conscience buried in the bottom of your heart.
Aniruddh Jain
CPDM, IISc
Bangalore