He started his career in 1990. Since then he had directed 10 movies, of which not all have been hits. From his ten movies 9 have been appreciated by those audiences who know the true meaning of realism and meaningful cinema presented commercially to create an awakening in the nation.
Raj Ji in my view, is easily the best in the business we call Bollywood. He is one of the few directors who has dared to defy the stereotype, which most directors follow. Similar to the talent of Yash Chopra, who has made a variety of genre movies, Raj Ji is a phenomenon in film making. However, he has been overlookedtime and time again whereas Karan Johar, Soorja Barjatya, maybe Aditya Chopra achieve success without reason.
I will give a brief summary of his movies and what in my view, had made Raj Ji, one of the best today.
Ghayal: This is one of the first movies you think of when you are preparing a list of the ten best movies of the 1990s. Ghayal was extraordinary in the sense that it was one of the first movies to win major accolades and awards despite being an action film, although action was not its only genre.
Raj Ji had given a strong emotional quotient to this movie, allowing the audience to relate with the movie. The story is of Ajay (Sunny Deol) trying to find justice in a corrupt and hypocrite Mumbai. This movie shot Sunny Deol to stardom who gave a larger than life problem as the person who represents the youth of the country trying to destroy corruption and injustice.
The 2nd half is very different and brilliantly handled. Rather than only have Sunny just pointlessly killing all those responsible for killing his brother, Raj Ji had introduced the character of a cop investigating Ajay’s case, played superbly by Om Puri. The character of Om Puri was doing his duty but at the same time he was realising the amount of injustice and corruption in the force. His confusion about choosing the side of the corrupt law or the ’’criminal’’ Ajay is shown well.
Damini: This movie again is a hard hitting fare given commercial touches. It depicts the life of a women from a village and her relations with her husband and in-laws. When her brother in law rapes the naukrani of her house, Meenakshi has to choose whether to testify against him or play the role of a ’’traditional Indian Bahu who must keep the Aan of her household’’.
This movie also highlighted the injustice in the nation and it was also a satire to certain in laws. The character of Govind (Sunny Deol), a drunk ex-lawyer, who decides to help Damini, is brilliantly played by Sunny. Never before will you see a supporting actor arrive in the 2nd half and steal the show. He righteously won the national award. The courtroom scenes in the 2nd half show the brilliance of Raj Ji. They way they have been executed to leave an impact is simply brilliant.
Ghatak: This movie many people will say was not like a usual Rajkumar Santoshi, because they did not feel that there was a message in this film. However, this was not just your average action flick as most say. This movie depicts the relations between an adopted son and his father (Sunny and Amrish Puri), and their journey from an innocent village to the cunning Mumbai city. There they must live in the fear of a powerful don, Danny and his 6 monstrous brothers.
Although not one of his best works, Ghatak is watchable for performances, Sunny and Amrish Puri who won the best supporting actor award, and Danny. The movie traces the development of an innocent village person to a daring and courageous warrior who must rid his area from the rule of Danny.
Andaz Apna Apna: Many have said this was the closest a movie of modern times can get to Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. This movie should be seen by all David Dhawan fans. The first time I saw this movie, I had no clue it was a Rajkumar Santoshi movie...and if I had to guess he would be the last person I would have said. No one would have thought that he could direct a comedy to that standard. David Dhawan should surely learn a lesson from this filmmaker.
Andaz Apna Apna has such fantastic repeat value, and in my view is better than any David Dhawan movie. A simple story, of simple characters, woven so beautifully and the result is perfecto! The concept of names was also superb - Amar Prem, the confusion of Raveena and Karishma, the satirical humour where Aamir Khan mocks Salman, about who had written Sholay. Crime master Gogo was the next closest villain to Gabbar himself. This movie was comical in every sense without having to be the usual Govinda flicks.
Barsaat: In my view his weakest movie. This film was a dissapointment and he knew it as well. He was just not in form. Although the music and some comical scenes were good, the movie never had the Rajkumar Santoshi stamp of class. Maybe because of the newcomers, but even then it fell well short of expectations. But everyone is allowed atleast 1 mistake!
China Gate: Hardly anyone saw this movie. The public preferred to watch the latkas and jhatkas of half naked actresses, rather than the mature acting of the veterans. Nonetheless this was a sensitive movie about the pride and honour of about 12 people, who were court martialled from the army. They had to live with this stain for many years, until they saw an opportunity to redeem themselves.
This was a fantastic movie in my view. It was a genre of adventure, which is hardly ever explored in Bollywood, and the acting was remarkable. Although it had many similarities to Sholay, China Gate was a powerful movie with sensible messages about religion, unity etc. This is one reason why Rajkumar Santoshi is one of my favourite directors; in every movie of his he explores and analyses themes such as unity, humanity and socialism. Notable performances were of Om Puri, Amrish Puri and Naseerudin Shah.
Pukar: Anil Kapoor gave one of the finest performances in his career. He was excellent as the Major in this movie, which depicts the life of the army, terrorism, patriotism and emotions. This movie too had a distinct touch which made Pukar as one of the best movies on patriotism. It was not the usual jingoistic stuff, but was mature and sensible cinema with commercialism to extend the target audience. Action scenes like in any Raj Ji film were of international quality.
This movie won best film award, and best actor award for Anil Kapoor at the national level. However, I have always found it interesting to see if Ajay Devgan or Aamir Khan, had portrayed Anil Kapoor’s role?
Lajja: Again this movie was based on a sensitive subject with power house performances. The story was well presented and the finale was suitable. Raj Ji used the emotional value to brilliance. One feels the anger, love, hatred, helplessness, anger etc which the characters in this movie are feeling. Full marks to Rajkumar Santoshi for presenting each character. PLEASE READ MY REVIEW ON LAJJA FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
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