Rang De Basanti

Mostly, I consider myself as a person of above average (if not exceptional :D) intelligence. I don’t say ‘always’ because every now and then, I keep repeating a few mistakes. One was when I decided to watch a disaster called Aks. I should have learned my lesson but I gave Rakesh Mehra another chance. And that is not always a good idea.

Or maybe there is a certain kind of cinema which I can never appreciate. Welcome to the world of Rang De Basanti, where ‘Lakshya’ meets ‘Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani’. There’s something about Rakesh Mehra’s creativity that I don’t seem to understand. When Aks released, a whole lot of people felt the same thing, but after talking to a few friends who had watched RDB, I think I might be in a minority. No worries. No intellectual snobbery but I think that many of those who liked that movie would definitely be incapable of forming an opinion that is contrary to public belief. And sadly enough, public belief, as the movie itself shows, can be molded. [Public also believed that Raja Hindustani, Mohabbatein, DTPH were good movies.]

Make-Believe is the license of cinematic liberty. But if stretched too far, the message itself may get lost. That is essentially the problem with RDB. Its characters, settings, and incidents everything looks very unreal. Absolutely abhorred Aamir Khan with a false Punjabi accent, I think every Punjabi would. A defence minister who seems as naïve a politician in his statements as a contender in the elections for a resident welfare association. An almost absurd Tiananmen Square like state oppression at India gate (okie, that’s an overstatement). Two youth on a motorcycle killing the defence minister and disappearing into thin air. One security guard at AIR studio. Mr. Mehra, I presume has never been to Delhi or probably he thinks that audience is decidedly stupid. “But all that is secondary to the message”, one may argue. Very much Sir! But that is the point, if something is secondary to the message, does that mean you can pass off anything? Mehra’s intentions were no doubt noble but unfortunately, he is let down by a script which has many loopholes. [Sadly, I believe Mehra himself is the script writer]

And Aamir Khan? I’ve said this before and I’m saying this again. He is probably the most over rated actor of this generation. With no extraordinary attribute, he has been a smart cookie to make sure that he does one or two films at a time, he just won’t sell otherwise. For every Rangeela, there is a Mann; for every Sarfarosh, there is a Mela; for every Dil Chahta Hai, there is a Rising. And I know what I’m saying when I say that he is no extraordinary actor. Just watch three or four of his films at a stretch and you’ll get to know how much variety of expression he brings to the screen.

Well, all that does not mean that RDB is without virtue. It has its moments. Kiron Kher, like always, is first rate. Atul Kulkarni is good too. Scene where he sings ‘Sarfaroshi ki tamanna’ is stirring. Soha Ali Khan and Madhavan are adequate. Madhavan’s funeral is touching too. The English girl looks cute but frankly I wasn’t much impressed with the film-maker-with-the-jailors-diary-night-school-hindi-and-looking-for-a-suitable-cast funda. A couple of songs have the distinct Rahman touch. Roo-ba-roo is situational and would grow on you if you keep listening to it.

I’m inclined to believe that if RDB does well, it’ll all be due to the pre-release positive buzz. As a result everyone seems to be watching it because everyone else is watching it. Some lesson for marketers in it surely.

All in all, I’m both happy and sad that RDB was made tax-free. Happy because a 125 Re ticket would have caused infinitely more grief, sad because I don’t understand the reason of making it tax free. I don’t think that the movie is either wholesome entertainment or has a strong message.

Not at all recommended.