Was lucky to be in the premiere of the movie. Brilliant is one word for it. This was the title I had used for the soundtrack also. I think we have one more director in india who we can call a very good director. He is up there with the best like Mani, Jayraj, Yash Chopra, Gowarikar, Shekar Kapoor, Bhansali and company.
The first half was a bit slow but then the movie really takes off. It is a mix of Dil Chahta Hai, Bhagat Singh and Yuva. Very Very Original Screenplay and Story. Great Effort.
The cast is brilliant and Siddharth is the guy to check out. He is a real talent. Such a restrained performance, too good. The director needs to be applauded for giving such a brilliant role to a newcomer.
I had the opportunity to speak to the director Rakesh Mehra at the interval and asked him whether the masses would like the movie, he was very confident. My view at the interval was that only the urban audience would love the movie. After the movie my view changed and I think it will be a movie in the class of Lagaan. Lagaan also started slowly but the second half really took off.
The soundtrack really jells with the movie and you would not know that there are 8-9 songs in the movie.
My view is that this movie can be compared to a spiritual journey.
01st stage is Learning ( Paatshaala)
02nd Stage is Prayers ( Ek Omkar)
03rd Stage is Confusion ( Khalbali). It is like the dilemma or confusion when a new concept hits the mind. Bit of Sufism in the song.
04th Stage is Action ( Lalkaar and Khoon Chala)
05th Stage is Enlightenment ( Roo Ba Roo) Once you have reached THERE.
I would not like to reveal the movie story or highlights as this would be injustice to the efforts of Rakesh Mehra and his team. Plus UTV would have spent crores on this, would not be right for the share holders.
MY RECOMENDATION is JUST GO and CATCH THIS MOVIE, a sensible movie which has come after a very long time and we need to motivate talented and genuine directors like Mehra.
If Rakesh or his team is reading this review, then I would recommend him to cary on the media hype on the movie and should initiate debates on the movie on national channels. This will be to awaken the masses and motivate them. Let A GENERATION AWAKE.
Comments awaited.