This year, we have seen lots of Amitabh Bachchan films.Actually, so many films of this legendary actor has released this year, that it is difficult to count that how many movies he appeared in, in 2005.To add to his releases of 2005, we have his latest film ”Viruddh”.Big B is just not the actor of this film, but he is also the producer of this film.After having so many hits as an actor, will he be successful as a producer, too?That only time will tell.As of now, check out the review on this latest Big B flick!
AB.Corp Ltd.`s ”Viruddh”, directed by Mahesh.V.Manjrekar, stars Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, John Abraham, Anousha Dandekar, Sanjay Dutt, Prem Chopra, Shivaji Satam and Vallabh Vyas.This is one of the most awaited films of the year because it brings together two superstars of their times, Amitabh Bachchan (though, even today he is a superstar) and Sharmila Tagore.It is after a very long time that the audiences are witnessing these two talented stars, together and this is the USP of the film.Other than that, for the first time we will be watching Big B and John Abraham, sharing a good relationship after their hate relationship in ”Aetbaar”.
“Viruddh”, tells us the story of a middle-class family.This is the story of the Patwardhan family.The heads of the Patwardhan family are Vidyadhar Patwardhan (Amitabh Bachchan) and Sumitra Patwardhan (Sharmila Tagore).They are an old-aged couple who are retired from their jobs.Now their future and lives rest on the shoulders of Amar Patwardhan (John Abraham), their one and only son, who has gone to study in London.Together Vidyadhar and Sumitra live a very peaceful life and both the husband and wife love each other very much.Their love, their small fights over small things, and their care for their son who has gone to London-this is all what their lives consists of.Finally, their son comes back from London to India and brings along with him his girlfriend, Jenny(Anousha Dandekar).Amar`s parents find the perfect daughter-in-law in Amar`s girlfriend and they also know that both of them like each other, so without any delay, Vidyadhar and Sumitra get their son married to his girlfriend and their lives are filled with lots of happiness.They all live together, laugh together and share each others` problems, but little do they know that one night would spoil their lives.One night, Amar goes out with his friends, not knowing that one of his friend (Amitabh Dayal) is involved in a horrible and dangerous crime.Amar`s other friends are also his followers so one night when they all commit crime, accidentally Amar gets killed.The news of Amar`s death brings an atmosphere of tragedy at the Patwardhan household.The main criminal, who was Amar`s friend, escapes from all the charges due to his powerful family background and his father`s position, who is the Home Minister`s son and instead he proves that it was Amar who mainly convinced others to get into crime and it was Amar who was the main criminal.Vidyadhar and Sumitra don`t trust anyone and they know that their son could never be a criminal.After shedding lots of tears, for Amar`s tragic death, Vidyadhar and Sumitra decide to fight against the people who are trying to prove their innocent son, guilty.They decide to fight the corrupt people who manage to escape because of their power and high and rich status.They decide to fight the corrupt society.They decide to fight for their son who had died, without having done anything wrong.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers once again a brilliant performance.This is an award-worthy performance for which the actor will surely be nominated in numerous award functions.Had this role been done by any other actor, he would have overacted but Amitabh Bachchan proves that he is truly a legend.This is a performance, which will be loved by the Big B`s fans, the critics and by the audiences.
Sharmila Tagore is also competent.She looks very good with Big B and makes a very good pair with him.It`s refreshing to see this actress back after she made a small appearance in Indra Kumar`s ”Mann”.The role of Sumitra suits her to the T.
John Abraham, has a relatively shorter role than Big B and Sharmila Tagore, yet he manages to register an impact.He is definitely improving with every new film of his.Anousha Dandekar, the ”Loot Gaye” girl from the Rahul Bose starrer ”Mumbai Matinee”, acts for the first time in a movie and with such talented actors like Big B and Sharmila Tagore, she fails to impress.She is completely overshadowed by other actors.
Sanjay Dutt, is there in a guest appearance, in the role of a mechanic, but he still manages to impress.Others are also very good.Vallabh Vyas, as the lawyer is excellent.Shivaji Satam and Prem Chopra as Vidyadhar`s friends also do their parts, well.Amitabh Dayal, as the villain of te film, does an amazing job, too.
Mahesh V.Manjrekar returns as a director after duds like ”Rakht” and ”Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav”.This time his film will be appreciated more than his recent films.The director has managed to handle some scenes well.The light scenes between Vidyadhar and Sumitra are cute and the way their relationship has been shown is very natural.The scene when Amar is killed and when the Patwardhans get to know about his death, are very emotional which will tend to make the emotional viewers, cry.The scene where Jenny is taken to jail and an inspector asks her to sleep with him and then the scene when Vidyadhar meets and talks to the Home Minister`s son, are very high on drama, but the film also has some negative points.First of all, the story is of a very typical kind, which has been witnessed umpteen times.So, this film will be liked by a few people.There are less chances of a film to be liked by the audiences or to get a favourable response from the box-office which as such an “as old as hills”, kind of a storyline.Secondly, the film, mainly in the second half gets very melodramatic.Last but not the least, the climax is disappointing and it could have been much better.Screenplay is fine and there are some well planned sequences in the film.Cinematography is quite good.Dialogues are superb and very well written.Editing could have been better.The film drags a lot.Though, this is a songless film, but its soundtrack was released which had music by Ajay-Atul.It has the kind of soundtrack which won`t appeal to many listeners.
On the whole, ”Viruddh”, is a fine movie which can be viewed as a good pass-time.The factors which make it a worth watching movie are brilliant performances by Amitabh Bachchan and Sharmila Tagore, some well executed sequences which have lots of drama and finally the excellent dialogues.So after having these factors as its plus points, you won`t be disappointed by this film.Watch it once, if you have nothing else to do!