’Where history meets proud folklore , legends are born’
This is what flashes on screen as soon as this period drama called THE RISING begins .And by the end you realise that the statement fits the film to the T .This one is indeed a legend and welcome change from all those recent disasters in the name of entertainment .Yes, it does have its share of Bollywood Formula: colourful sets and costumes, songs , mujras, local culture, violence, lusty romance .But still the film manages to rises above all the film ever made in history of Indian Cinema .To put it simply , THE RISING is a lifetime cinematic experience.
A Yash Raj Films release of a Kaleidoscope Entertainment, Inox Leisure, TFK Films presentation of a Kaleidoscope Entertainment, Maya Movies production , The Rising is one of those few Bollywood movies that is shot with terrific intensity: vibrant colour, extra ordinary sound, light, movement, nothing in the movie is ’’chalta hain type’’.This one is a must see!
Four years after his impressive performance in the Oscar nominated Lagaan, Aamir Khan returns with this film and with bang! If cricket did the trick in Lagaan , it is crooked cartridges [kartoos] that forwards the story in big way .Another feather in its cap is that it a perfect gift for independence day , 15th August!
For 100 years, the East India Company was the face of the British Empire, ruling the Indian subcontinent with the help of 300, 000 Hindu and Muslim soldiers called Sepoys.They were using all these innocent peoples for their selfish purpose and unfair means .They know only one thing -Profit , profit and profit!! Human emotions , feelings and love are far cry to these alien looking creatures .
The film begins in a extra ordinary way and we get to see that in 7th April 1857, Mangal Pandey (Khan), a sepoy in the East India Co.’s army, waits to be hung for mutiny in Barrackpore jail, northern India.When it’s discovered that the hangman has run off in fear, Pandey’s execution is delayed, the film moves into the flashback zone .
Flashback starts through the eyes of William Gordon (Toby Stephens), a young Glaswegian officer who bonded with Pandey when the latter saved his life during a guerrilla ambush in Afghanistan. Hindi-speaking Gordon has a sympathy for the locals that’s in stark contrast to most of his white colleagues.
Gordon’s colleague, Hewson (Ben Nealon); bigtime East India Co. employee Kent (Kenneth Cranham) and his daughter, Emily (Coral Beed); and Lockwood (Simon Chandler), an auditor sent from London to investigate company corruption.Gordon finds it difficult to adjust himself in high class society of these retarded people .
The actual story begins when the new cartridges is discovered by East India company using pig and cow fat .
The Company lie that the cartridges do not use pig or cow grease, Pandey bites the bullet, but when the truth is revealed, he assumes that he is ’’ untouchable’’and leads the Sepoy in a rebellion that for the first time unites all the various creeds, tribes and castes of the region.
It is actually the start of the end of the East India Company’s reign in India, though India would not gain its independence from Britain for about another century [1947].
Other tensions are also building. Gordon rescues a young bride, Jwala (Amisha Patel), from the banned practice of sati.
Meanwhile, Pandey is beaten by Hewson and his pals for defending a high-class prostitute, Heera (Rani Mukerji).
Finally , Pandey is hanged in front of large crowd on 8th April , 1857 .Though he died , it was the actual beginning of revolution against East India company that inspired likes of MAHATMA GANDHI to follow the same path.............
Directed Ketan Mehta returns to full force with THE RISING will truly move you. It ranks as one of his BEST films to date simply for the toweringly brilliant performances he manages to extract from his entire cast and due to unmatched handling of this complex subject.
His narrative in the film is brilliant right from the start and the film unfolds in a birds eye view as the viewer feels like they are actually PART of those long gone era. The manner in which he has depicted the relationship of the two friends is stunningly beautiful.
The first half is filled with moments which will tug at the viewers heart strings and melt the viewers heart. . These include
1.The very start of the film where Amir is being hanged!
2.The scene where Rani is being sold at ’ mela ’.
3.The sequence where Amir is beaten by Pandey is beaten by Hewson and his pals for defending Rani Mukerji .
4.The track where Gordon rescues Amisha Patel from sati system.
5.The mass murder leaves you spell bound .
But the sparks are missing in the post interval portions .There is heavy political discussion which went beyond my head!Talk on RANGOON PARTY , Maharani and Maharaji is quite boring .Infact one looks for fresh air when these sequences are unfold on screen .
Another problem is that the British military officers are shown broad caricatures, and the love story between Gordon Amisha does not register any kind of impact whatsoever.
But the climax is such effective that your heart goes out for Aamir ! The moment he is hanged under the tree leaves the viewer with a lump in their throat and tears in their eyes .
The technical aspects in the movie are flawless to say the least. Producer deserves full marks presenting history in all its full glory and fame in a thoroughly jaw dropping manner. Cinematography is AWARD WORTHY.The film is captured on celluloid like a beautiful painting or a childrens colourful fairytale. The dry deserts have never looked so sunnythe mansions...right down to even the bangles...RISING is a colourful affair which is apt and keeping in sync with the film. Art direction is also Award Worthy and will leave the viewer mesmerised.
In terms of music A.R REHMAN yet again proves why he is one of the most terrific music directors we have in Bollywood currently. The film can be termed as an ’’musical’’ to an extent. All song are great and my pick is ’’Chaliya’’ which is seductive number .
Amir Khan as MP is simply O U T S T A N D I N G! Arguably the BEST performance he has given so far. The variety the actor posesses is endless and THE RISING is another feather in the cap. His look for the character is superb. This has to be one of Amir most heart rendering performances to date. No doubt Amir is STILL a reigning Superstar Hats off to Amir...yet again.
Toby Stephens makes a terrific debut with a performance that is bound to be talked about in the days to come. The actor delivers a powerful performance and is 100% natural to the core. He performs even the most difficult with utmost ease and is completely convincing. His chemistry with Amir too is simply mindblowing . His delivery is flawless !
Rani Mukherji who is having a brilliant year with BLACK and BUNTY AUR BABLI delivers yet another BRILLIANT performance. As Heera she again slips into her character with effortless ease and portrays the trials and tribulations of a prostitute who is in love with a man..who is going to die . Her expressions in the jail [climax] is out of this world! She looks absolutely stunning. At this rate Rani Mukherji has already secured herself three award nominations so far this year. Her dance is a treat in MAIN VAARI song!
Amisha Patel looks stunning ..but one wishes she had more of role.
But despite all it pros, its a box office dud!