Disclaimer : Before every Patriot Indian stands up - after reading this review and starts rating it ’’Not Useful’’, let me tell you one fact off hand that Neither I know anything about Mangal Pandey nor I am claiming anything. Whatever I have known till date about him was something, which our schoolbooks used to tell us and what the books in my mom’s library told me. Although I am not quoting anything of that sort in here. No offences with those who didn’t liked a bit of this movie.
So much has been written about the movie here on MS that I am not going to narrate the story nor anything about who played what and how, once again, I will just talk about my personal experience of the movie, and will say why I strongly and whole heartedly recommend this one to all of you.
I watched this one in the only multiplex of the town, and the hall was jam-packed, this was a 10.45 PM show on a Saturday night and was full to the capacity.
This movie is like a sneak peek into the life and times of Mangal Pandey And let me assure you, If I genuinely start writing what I have seen in the movie this Saturday, the space provided here for writing a review and even after adding up that comment section waala space - it wud be too less to describe the feeling. Really, you have got to believe me for that, I dont care if this movie is going to work out in Box Office or not, But it is a Must watch for every Indian, When I say a Must Watch believe me its a must watch.
If any of you watch this movie after reading this review and dont like it, please tell me - I shall give you a full refund - Including the cost you might have incurred in going to the theatre (with snacks and what not you eat in the break too).
Condition : There is no point watching this at home with that pathetic pirated CD and a 40 watt TV speaker, even the good home theatres wont give you those Earth Shattering and Nerve Wracking effects what you’ve got to see in the theatre. My chair in the multiplex (Prasad - Hyderabad) was literally shaking with every bomb they explode, and with the tapping of Horses, The original sound of those old Rifles, the noise produced while they move their Artillery, man its awesome.
The killer look in the eyes of Mangal Pandey, whenever any of the Indian is being humiliated, the way he saves Rani from that English guy and get beaten up, the way those 4 guys beat him to pulp. The way he fights for the English during the start and against them after some time, the way he takes on the 40, 000 Odd english army single handedly, fires the bullets, re loads, fires again and re loads again, tries to kill himself etc.
Its awesome to watch Mangal Pandey suddenly changing gears, from a true East India Company Soldier to the One who will fight for India’s freedom. The confused look while he decides what to do and what not, Is he right? Or is he wrong? The questions he asks himself, you can see it all happening in his eyes and his body language. I am sure nobody could have done any more justice to Mangal Pandey than what Aamir has done, moreover this made me realize one more thing that Aamir would have been perfect if he would have been chosen for Ashoka in that SRK Movie.
Usually I dont use abusive words in front of my wife, Not at all at least in Hindi, but than this movie made me sit uptight in that comfy chair of the multiplex, and plenty of times Grasping the handlebar, I couldn’t help myself at times, but did said it out a couple of times ’’Teri M’’. ’’F U A’’ and what not, she was like surprised and shocked too, she was telling me constantly ’’Its a movie’’. But I couldn’t control my emotions at time, the scene wherein they beat Aamir to Pulp and he literally hits them too, and later on spits on the face of the English Guy, with saying ’’Tu Kut Hai’’, It does made me so happy.
What shall I say about the Friendship of Gordon and Mangal Pandey, you’ve got to watch the Intensity of their friendship, the way they fight in that ’’Akhada’’ and talk too while fighting is awesome. The kiddish things they do after drinking ’’Bhaang’’, the way they stroll around in the village, they take Panga from other English guys, the kind of faith they had on each other. Ultra Friendship, Ultimate Show.
Points to Ponder : English Man saving an Indian female against the Sati Pratha, Indian Women Brea*t Feeding the English child, English Woman feeling bad about the selling of Whores, Loyalty of Indians towards the English and there are N number of things what they have shown in this movie which are really appreciable and which does makes one’s eyes go wet at times.
Breathtaking is the final walk of Mangal, Breathing at this point while fully engrossed in the movie was literally something where in I had to do some efforts.
It gives you smiles too by watching and listening the way these English people say Hindi, This movie has given me all experiences in one place itself, Entertainment, Knowledge of History, Drama, Happiness, Emotions, Hatred, etc etc.
I can watch it again any day, and will highly recommend to everybody in here in MS. Go watch it Today, I am sure you will not regret.
Ratings and comments are more than welcome.