In the 70s & early 80s public did use to support the ’parallel cinema’ movement from time to time. Somewhere in the mid 80s this movement just died with all the greats from it transitioned to so called mainstream or commercial cinema. This movement was most of the times very leftist & socialist.
They always concentrated on showing the urbanization & industrialization is a somewhat negative way. The great actors like Om Puri, Nasiruddin, Smita Patil & more came from this family. NFDC used to fund & produce many movies that otherwise won’t be produced by the more than anything ’money-minded’ film-makers. Jane Bhi DO Yaron is one prime example of the success they had.
This weekend on Friday I went to theatre to find out that all the shows of Lakshya, Deewar & Dev were full. Instead of hunting at other ’plexes I thought of giving this off-bit movie a chance & went in with a few reservations. Often times these movies are spoiled just in the name of giving something different. But after two hours I came out with a big smile on my face with the ’’paisa wasool & more’’ feeling that is hard to come by these days.
Rajat Kapoor who appeared in Dil Chahata Hain as Priety’s uncle in Australia has now teamed up with NFDC to produce excellent movie that release in the last week: Raghu Romeo. The comic actor in the role of Raghu who have done a lot of movies by now & has received acclaim from both press & public has given performance of a life time in this movie. He, along with the different type of plot makes it necessary for every movie-lover to watch this movie.
How Rajat Kappor raised money for this movie is also published in some of the dailies. It is a very interesting read. (e-mail circulation, raising money from public etc)
’’Raghu’’ makes it a great movie along with several of NFDC actors. The popular actor in the roles of Gopi (Detective Sam D’silva); Kallu Mama plays role of ’the brother’ in this movie. He has displayed simply superb performance as usual. Raghu Rome’s mother who is an excellent actress in her own right has also given a perfect appearance.
The two encounter scenes are also pictured perfectly. The ’brother’ & Raghu at his best. The ’interval’ is at a very effective scene of the kidnapping. The way the actress hits closed out door trying to escape is just too practical. There is not a single humor made for the sake of humor.
Direction/photography, sound track follow a typical minimalist approach due to the limited budget. The songs have a certain freshness in both lyrics & filming in the movie. Arshad Warasi’s wife (forgot name) in her first movie has given a very good performance.
The movie is spread with a lot of subtle jokes & some very extra ordinary comic jokes. The ending scene where Raghu cries after a TV serial character dies is just hilarious. This guy has given larger than life expressions that make you spellbound & awestruck & the best part is that you are laughing at the same time!
The only thing that is a mistake or a flaw is a little inconsistent behavior from Raghu with respect to real life & TV characters. Sometimes he gets along with real life just fine & sometimes he is confused & mixing real life with the TV serial.
I suggest everyone to make it a point to watch this movie so that we get many such attempts in the future too. Trust me it is very good.
~Milind