COMPANY: RAM GOPAL VARMA AT HIS BEST (EVEN after Sarkar)
Characters:
Malik, Chandu and Srinivasan are the dominant characters. The others dont get a meaty role but definitely make their presence felt.
Storyline:
Chandu, a street fighter runs a small gang with his friends. Joins Malik’s Company. Company grows BIG under Malik with Chandu as his right hand. Away from Mumbai Police, they both rule Mumbai underworld from Hong Kong. Life is all roses. Just then, Chandu indulges in a difference in opinion abt some assasination. They split and become arch-rivals due to another misunderstanding. Chandu moves to Nairobi, Kenya. Chandu’s gangs and Malik’s gangs execute each other in the Mumbai alleys. IG Shrinivasan, unsuccessful till now inspite of his witty moves to catch Company red-handed, is now happy that the underworld is collapsing. Just then, a Malik raid happens at Chandu residence at Nairobi. Chandu is arrested and hospitalised while fleeing the Malik men. IG Shrinivasan convinces Chandu that his best revenge on Malik is possible only if he joins hands with him. Chandu in Mumbai Jail exposes all Malik’s secrets. Chandu’s men assassinate Malik. Company closes. Mumbai happy. The End.
Departments:
SCRIPT(Story, ScreenPlay & Dialogues)
The story is loosely based on real life, Dawood Ibrahim - Chota Shakeel - Chota Rajan - IG Shreenivasan ’s struggle for existence.Romance(and, hence songs) and Comedy take a backseat, unlike RGV’s last underworld flick, Satya. So, credits for the film’s story are not very high here.
Screenplay by Jaideep Sahni deserves a pat on his back. One fourth of the film’s credit should go to its extemely well written screenplay that keeps you on the edge of the seat, and constantly makes you ask, ’’What next..?’’ Dialogues, are very plain, crispy and Mumbai-ish making them extremely realistic.
ACTING
Ajay Devgan gives an aplomb performance that leaves you in raptures talking just with his gestures. Ditto, Manisha. Vivek Oberoi is undoubtedly the debut of the year. Company directly launches him onto the gripping sequences and he lives upto the hype. (though he needs some training in his emotional scenes which were anyways unimportant to RGV’s script)
MUSIC(Lyrics, Tunes & Background score, Rendering)
Now... Nitin Raikar (if I remember properly) gives Ram Gopal Varma’s voice in the form of beautiful (remember, in underworlds context) ’’Sab Ganda Hai Par Dhanda Hai Yeh...’’ and ’’Khallas... Bach ke tu rehana...’’. Overall, Simply Enticing! Added, the rendering by sensuous Asha and erratic Chowta are mindboggling.
YES ! There is only one song in the film, Khallas. Credits to RGV, who has taken the giant leap in his effort to wipe off songs from Hindi Cinema thrillers. All other songs (two of them) have been used as background to aid the narrative. Sandeep Chowta has given his best background score till date. The background score literally puts you in the wallowing dirt of the underworld.
STEPS(Choreography & Action)
Choreography, not much scope for that here. Khallas is very RAW. But, arent things RAW out there? Action is first class. The Malik gang’s chase of Chandu’s gang is one of the best action sequences ever to be executed in the history of Indian cinema.
ART(Art Direction & Costumes)
Art Direction is okay. Stark and realistic, stamp mark more of Varma than that of Art directors. The half shaven brat looks of Vivek Oberoi, the suave stylish look of Ajay Devgan and that cigar sporting look of Manisha are the highlights.
PRESENTATION(Cinematography, Editing & Direction)
Oh My! The angles are so extraordinary. Its so hollywoodish. Perfect, in every sense.
Editing is the weakest part of the film. Not at all crisp. What should I say abt Direction? The real hero of the film is Ram Gopal Varma. The real director is one who makes his every artist see his vision, and bring out their respective heroes. Not afraid of breaking any rule pertaining to Indian Cinema, RGV gives a striking picture of the happenings of the underworld in a docu-drama style. The sparks of his finesse at direction can be easily seen throughout the movie. There is no space to write. Hats Off To You, RGV!
Conclusion:
1)A thoroughly researched film about the behavioural aspects of the underworld, this is undoubtedly RGV’s subtlety at his best.
2)Docu-drama film making lessons can be learnt throughout the movie.
3) Now, dont go around saying that RGV is encouraging violence and cigarettes if you want our cinema to catch the attention of the West. Leave the swiss alps to Johars and Chopras, this is the cinema that truly transends us to the international standards.
Overall, a subtle, striking, stark, stylish and cerebral (enough ?) docu-drama with a clear message, ’’Crime leads you no where’’
(But, I must admit, its high time RGV starts looking at other genres of cinematic excellence. Enough of underworld, enough of thrillers.)
~Vamsi Deepak Gadey
{ RATING: 9/10 }