This week 2 T films (Tathastu & Tom Dick & Harry) released. I wanted to go Tom Dick & Harry, since it was of comic genre. However, I decided otherwise. I have to admit I have no regrets. But to my pleasant surprise, the film was quite good.
The film had 12 Reels & long 1 hr 55 minutes. It got a serious subject in hand. I am sure it will touch your heart. A father’s struggle for the life of his son is pictured with all sincerity. The thanda response of the systems to the cause! The fathers struggle to the system. Helplessness of a common man! In between a small soul is crying for his soul. Calling his papa for help. Want to know what the doctor told… Tathastu… Let the systems be like that. Let all the systems win, where a poor soul is struggling for life. Tathastu throw many questions. What will be your response in such a situation, as a victim as an observer?
STORY (Read only if you are keen to have an idea before you watch the movie)
Ravi (Sanjay Dutt) & Sarita (Amisha Patel) have only one child, Eight year old boy Gaurav (Master Yash Pathak). The boy is so crazy for cricket. Ravi is a factory worker and Sarita is a housewife. They live happily with their small earning. Sarita, knows Ravi’s problems and try to save each rupee she can. One day, in between the school cricket competition, the boy broke down and admitted to hospital. It has been diagnosed as a case of sever heart problem and to have life to the child, heart transplantation is required, which cost Rs15 Lakhs. Ravi, tried to get that money, and failed. (Where he was struggling even to get the Rs. 30, 000/- required to give as deposit at the time of admitting the child). The Doctor gave an ultimatum and warned, if the money is not deposited within 2 days the child may have to take way from the hospital and the heart will give to another patient, highly influential Swamiji. Another Doctor, (Jayapradha) told him, do not leave the hospital or the doctor, as the doctor is very good and he can save the child. Kindhearted watchman of the hospital, (Manoj Pahwa) warn him that if he cannot get 15 Lakhs by the deadline, his child may be pushed out of the hospital.
Let down by various systems in the society, (let it be the Insurance company, Factory or hospital) Ravi sure of not able to get Rs 15 Lakhs in the time frame, decided to get it by force. He bought a gun with the money whatever he had and took 30 people in one floor of the hospital and demand operation of the child.
The hospital is been rounded with police, para military, media and ordinary people.
Most of them are in support of Ravi. Even the earlier afraid hostages were in side of Ravi, seeing his love for his child and his good behavior. So you may wonder, then nothing is left for further viewing. But there is more in the store. Things are not so easy. System may not change so easily. See Tathastu, how the things turn around.
PERFORMANCES
Sanjay Dutt delivered another fine performance. He is super, where the film gives a lot of moments for him to perform. He need special applaud for his performance. This will count to one of the top performances by Sanju Baba.
Amisha Patel is also fine. Since the film is centered on Sanjay Dutt entirely, only few scenes left for Amisha. However, she did her role convincingly.
Master Yash Pathak found his place in our heart within few scenes.
Gulshan Grover, the Doctor (Darshan Jariwala), Jayapradha and Manoj Pahwa did decent performance in the small roles assigned to them.
Overall, the performances are fine.
TECHNICAL SIDE
Cinematography is average. But few shots look very amateur.
Choreography quite average
Editing – Good
Music – below average (No relevance in the film anyway)
Background Music – adequate
Overall, the technical side got an average mark only.
STORY, SCREENPLAY & DIRECTION
The story is a good one. I have to say, a very good one. Screen play, however needed more care. Had the screenplay been done with some professionalism, it would have been much better for the film. However, there are good moments provided by the writers need special mention.
Dialogues are good. Sometimes, it gave words to your thoughts and sometimes it give meat for your thoughts.
Direction is fine. Anubhav Sinha the Director of Dus and Tum Bin, is clearly growing up. Stll, he needed to take care to fine tune the product before the release. Despite the flaws Anubhav has done a fine job.
FEW PERFORMANCES
These scenes will steal your heart….
The doctor tells Sanjay Dutt & Amisha that their sun will not live more in the present condition. It is a super scene, which one should not miss. Both Sanjay & Amisha were delivering fine performances where the background score is still… You love it….there after, the scream from Amisha…. Worth one more watch for this scene.
Sanjay Dutt slapping Gulshan Grover, asking the reason for him to send a cop with a gun… The audience were giving a heartfelt applaud for each slap, which is a rarity in a film of pure serious nature. I am sure you also will like it.
Union leader hug his son when he return from school. You are in his place…
Sanjay Dutt’s dealing with one of the hostage (Where she has been slapped by her husband every time and brother used to take her to hospital).
There are more good situations, which I leave you to observe from the film.
CRITICAL VIEW
Unlike routine films, the films give a 48 minute first half and 1 hour 5 minutes second half. It is understandable, as the situation for the hostage is been created in the first half and the entire second half is dedicated with the hostages. Not to lose the continuity, it is a good decision. But it would have been better, the circumstances leading to the hostage 1 hr 5 minutes and the hostage drama for 48 minutes
However, the major drawback is that the director failed to present an impressive hostage taking (that scene) and the writers failed to close the loopholes in the script for a good hostage taking.
The Doctor, who suppose to do the operation, go out and come back without any explanations or showing how he do it is not understandable. The doctor is a genius some times and some times as a villain. The character of the main doctor is not well sketched. His movements (in and out hospital) during the hostage period were unwarranted. The doctor who lead the heart transplantation surgery appear in the climax frame just to add the glory was not required. Jayapradha’s movement between the floors was not understandable. The real problem for the situation was lack of money and not the lack of a heart. In that context, Ravi ‘s thinking at the end is illogical.
The climax, of course is a commercial compromise. I thought if the film had ended 3 minutes before it’s present ending, it would have been much better. It is a dilemma for a film releasing on commercial basis, but that is the risk you have to take for a big success. And, mind you it is hard to melt hard hearts than at the climax. Systems will not change that easily.
CONCLUSION
Even though the film has faults the strength of the story compensated the drawbacks. And it is different from the routine films and worth watching film. The story had a heart with which you can link. All performances are good. Watch it if you like good films.