LONG LIVE REVOLUTION is the only thought that is playing again and again in my mind after seeing this film. In fact when I use the term film, I use it loosely. This is not about film-making and nor will I disparage it due to some unwarranted songs and minor flaws. This is not about stars, this is not about entertainment. This is about unshrouding indigenous history that has been consumed by the shadows of imperialism; this is about the struggle of many martyrs that inspired our people to dream about sovereignty. This is about the vision of Rajkumar Santoshi to resurrect the legend of Bhagat Singh.
TLOBS is not significantly lacking in any department; the period it portrays’s ambience has been captured to visible perfection; the history it conveys manifests in its true and raw form. This is an accurate and a meaningful biographical epic of a true great of Indian legend, who smilingly took to the bellows at the premature age of 22 and thus it is paramount that every Indian sees TLOBS, in fact not even Indian, TLOBS should be introduced in educational curriculums around the world and held as an equal to Richard Attanboraghs Gandhi.
Having said that. TLOBS ideals and messages are the extreme opposite of Gandhi. TLOBS openly and strongly challenges Gandhi’s theories and methods. Perhaps this maybe mistaken for a naive and idealistic outlook; however this picture’s strong political undercurrents will force you to re-examine your image of Gandhi.
Some questions for you to answer: Can one seriously believe that one man befell an entire British empire? Can one seriously believe that the British empire weakened by allowing them to trample us? Challenge those rosy myths you have heard of Gandhi.
Here are some facts:
Did you know that Gandhi’s non co-operation movement was taken back by Gandhi after a handful of Indians burned down a British police station in retaliation for a dastardly act of terror by the British. Gandhi openly condemned Indians and said ’’We are not ready for independence’’
Did you know that Gandhi never wanted independence. In fact Gandhi was negotiating with the British for a dominion state; a state that is ruled equally between the British and indigenous people of India. It was the struggle of many revolutionaries that inspired Indians to dream for an independent state.
Did you know Gandhi could have stalled the execution of Bhagat Singh, Sukdev, Raj Guru, three revolutionaries that were heroes amongst us Indians and government alike? Gandhi did not.
Ultimately Gandhi was assassinated by an Indian, a Hindu too. Therefore there is obviously more to this independence struggle and Gandhi than meets the eyes. If anything I have revealed so far has caught your interest, then you are ready to watch TLOBS to uncover history, and you will see that India’s independence is not due to a frail old man, but many strong men that died fo India. If Gandhi is responsible for anything, that is the loss of millions of lives, the division of the country and poisoning Indian minds that are still in awe of the white man today.
Rajkumar Santoshi must be applauded for his vision of spreading this awareness. And while he has not been resounded with commercial success, he has won much acclaim and deserved to be bombarded with many plaudits and international recognition.
TLOBS is a powerful and rivetting film-making; many a scenes completely overwhelm; the hunger strike in the jail in particular is enacted with flaming vigour and directed stupendously.
The ambience of the period is captured to visual perfection with an outstanding visual definition; the cinematography and the art direction may not boast of the surreal grandeur and razzle-dazzle of Devdas. However still manages to be a notch above Devdas, with its brilliantly captured and lighted exteriors and interiors and the sophisticated and often awe inducing manoeuvres of K.V Anands camera . The editing, sound and background scores are path-breaking and stand out. Action is terrific.
The music is rousing and touching; in particular Sarforsh Ki Tamana that plays on the pinnacle of the desperation of the men from starvation. For the first time ever, I was bought to tears in a movie. RKS almost bought me to tears in Lajja, where Janki(Madhuri) is trampled over in a dramatic scene, however this time he succeeds in rendering me hopelessly emotional. Maahive which was accredited of being the most melodious song in the album could have been edited out, as it serves little purpose.
The film is not without its flaws; some scenes could have been trimmed to ensure a more harmonious flow. However compensating any of these scene would have been compensating sections of history. History is not all interesting; and this is true in LOBS too, the earlier portions of Bhagat Singh’s life in his collage life and the foundations of his anguish and determination are sowed here, however interest is not maintained adequately and a rather dragging feel haunts this half. TLOBS really begins to breathe in the secondary potion and this is where it completely grips you and then climaxes, leaving you, with a segment of history.
Performances are outstanding from the entire cast, however the British actors, with the exception of the main characters, are mostly under-developed and unnatural. Ajay Devgan’s performance is truly as legendary as the legend he portrays; with a touching and virtuosos enactment. This is a career best performance from Ajay Devgan. Sukdev and Raj Guru too give terrific performances and the chemistry between the three is adequate.
Dialogues as usual for an RKS film are brilliant. In essence a film that everyone must see and clearly the best film of the year. None are close to it this year, none are as important or as meaningful. A film that I will proudly group with some of the best of all time. And the first movie to bring tears to my eyes, surely means something special to me. Watch it, this is not to be missed.
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