Many people like me, who had expected Mangal Pandey - The Rising to be Aamir’s step forward from where he left in Lagaan, would indeed be disheartened.
Aamir Khan and Ketan Mehta had indeed taken a bold step to make a period film, based on a well known historical myth, about the precause of our first war of independance, about a legendary character about which nothing much has been recorded (i think, though I am not a historian). However, the director should have atleast made use of the information that he has in his hand. The incedent on which the film has been based, was located at Barrackpore, suburb of present Kolkata. I am ashtonished to see how come he picturised scenes which had hills at the backdrop. I am also ashtonished to see the river Ganga, which has been shown having blue water like sea around mauritus. I never expected missing these fine details.
The film is full of songs, which according to me are complete misfits. None of the songs were good, and were all placed wrongly. Wherever, the story started to gain momentum, the songs (even a item dance !!! ) were placed to much irritation of the audience.
Personally, I feel that the roles of Amisha and Rani didnot add anything to the script (except initiating a fight between Mangal and Hewson).
Now coming to the brighter points. The sets were good, and so were Aamir, Toby and other co-actors. Rani and Amisha didnot get chances to show their acting talents, better luck next time.
To sum up, the movie didnot live upto my expectations. We could have gotten a much better entertainment from this comeback movie of Aamir Khan.