“One two ka four, four two ka one”
“Imali ka buta berry ka ped”
“Choli ke niche kya hai”

We heard such songs in Subhash Ghai Movie. He indeed handled the crown of hindi film industry Showman after Raj Kapoor for years. However last few years were not good for him his personal performance as movie maker.

After the debacle of “Kissna… Dekh Naa” at the box office, Subhash Ghai is back with a complete U-turn from his regular bollywood fair, with a realistic small budget film on a serious subject. It is far away from the regular bollywood hype and hupla he used to do in his movies (thought we love that). It’s a change for him and we audience also. I think when Nagesh Kuknoor and Subhai Ghai met, they must have changed personalities. Nagesh was at his Bollywood style worst in Bombay to Bangkok and Subhash Ghai is at his small budget multiplex movie best in Black & White.

The movie starts with a Dhamaka (Bomb Blast without its visual, just audio) and sets the tone of the movie. It then shows the activities of militant groups in Afganisthan and explains us a plan which the terrorist groups are planning against India. They preach their young hot blooded “Jihadi” followers that India is also anti muslim and they shall take revenge of the communal riots. A young hardcore Jihadi is given passport of an Indian Muslim, Numer Qazi. He is sent to Delhi to do a “Fidayeen Hamala” i.e. suicidal bomb attack on 15th August at Lal Killa.

Numer Qazi [Anurag Sinha] is provided residence in Chandani Chauk at Guffar Khaan’s house who is a Secular Shayar. In his stay he meets with Rajan Mathur [Anil Kapoor], a Professor in Urdu literature. He and his social worker wife Roma [Shifaali Shah] is famous in Chandni Chowk for their love, affection towards everyone. Numer find that Rajan and his wife can be his vehicle to get him entry in Lal Killa.

Roma isn’t very keen to let Rajan be close to Numer as she does not have any good impression of Number. He gets into the family by creating a drama and wins Roma’s trust. Roma allows her to stay with them. Rajan and Roma treats him like family and a close bond is developed between them. However, Numer is undeterred by all this love and affection. He is highly focused on his aim for the suicidal attack.Roma helps Numer to get pass for the Red Fort with her influence. Numer is all set and is fully determined to take his mission to completion. He enters and seats in the VIP area of Red Fort. At the last point, Numer takes U-turn and decides not to do the blast and also kills his other associates.

Why this happens and how these events unfold is interesting to watch.

Let’s now dissect the movie for a closer look at direction, performance and other aspects of cinema. First of all we shall applaud Subhash Ghai for totally different effort. It takes guts to defy regular perception and try something different. However, the movie is week in major part. Before the last 30-40 mins, we get the dejavu feeling and the film has clichés which can not be avoided. Many times boredom creeps in and we get feeling of watching an average film. It even feels like being directed by an assistant of Subhash Ghai.

The last 30-40 makes up for it and at the end we get a fulfilling experience (It’s the 15 min formula in reverse). In some scenes, Subhai Ghai attains new heights like when Numer beats Milind Gunaji to death but however he is beating himself as he feels the guilt. Subhash Ghai also makes some interesting points which are thought provoking and thats the success of the movie.

This is another movie after Fanaa, Ahista-Ahista, Rang De Basanti and the recent Sunday, which has backdrop of Delhi. The Cinematographer has captured the beauty of Delhi very well. The editor has used post production effects to create the burning Afaganisthan very well.  The music is good and does not come as a hindrance in the movie’s pace.

Performance wise, Anil Kapoor again proves his metal. He plays the role of a loving, lite hearted but responsible professor and citizen very well. His breakdown scene can be an example in study books of acting. Shefaali Shah supports him equally and both are like breeze of fresh air in this dark movie. The debutant Anurag Sinha is promising and will sure go a long way in the industry provided he gets good projects. Aditi Sharma is very good and exuberates the innocence very well. Milind Gunaji is does not have major role and he does not look muslim anyways.

On the whole, this is a movie which manages to impress us at the end and gives us a different experience.

BR Rating: **1/2 (2 for the initial, middle part and 0.5 for the last 30-40 mins)
BR Verdict: Above Average
BR Advise: You can feel bored in initial and middle part of the movie, however it will be a fulfilling experience at the end. This is for sensitive audience who likes thought provoking movies. If you fall in this type, go watch the movies. Others, who want escapist movies, stick to OSO DVD.