Director Ketan Mehta showcases Dashrath Manjhi’s indomitable spirit that allows him to win a nearly 22-year long battle not only against the gigantic mountain but also against the social perceptions. While portraying Manjhi’s motivating confrontation to the mountain, prevalence of contemporary societal evils also finds an appropriate mention, like untouchability, landlordship and bonded labour, naxalism that plagued Gehlaur, a village in the back of beyond of Bihar.
The frightening brutalities pertaining to untouchability are very rightly picturized. However, in an attempt to underscore significance of vital events, over-dramatization of some scenes gives a slightly unrealistic touch to this biopic. Nevertheless, it’s the charisma of Nawazuddin Siddiqui that keeps viewers engaged throughout an otherwise poorly-presented narration. Watching him onscreen is always a great delight. Also, performances by other actors including Radhika Apte, Pankaj Tripathi and Tigmanshu Dhulia adequately reinforce the storytelling.
Initial moments capturing Manjhi’s growing relationship with the mountain are good, however could have been illustrated in a better way, as was done in Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours. In one scene, Nawaz cutting his toe off resembles the self-amputation act in 127 hours. Overall, as a director Mehta unexpectedly loses an opportunity to harness an appealing subject having almost all ingredients that are essentially needed to create a masterpiece for offbeat cinema. At the same time, Nawazuddin through his brilliant acting and terrific dialogue delivery manages to ensure bangs for your bucks.
Three stars for Nawazuddin being Shandaar, Zabardast, Zindabad.!