Satyagraha - Movie Review

Comments [ 6 ] By India-Forums.com Bollywood Team | 30 August 2013 | 2:36am

Satyagraha is a fight against the biggest and the deadliest demon of our society that is corruption. Prakash Jha's school of cinema has always been inspiring enough to make you think about our country and what could be done to make this country a better place. The biggest advantage that works in Jha's favor in Satyagraha is the unique casting of the film. Even though we know how much Jha loves to cast Ajay Devgn and now his new favorite, Manoj Bajpayee and Arjun Rampal, we do see Kareena Kapoor as a very confident journalist who knows what to do and more importantly how to do it.

All the characters in the film starting from the very idealistic retired principal of Zila school Dwarka Anand played by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, the ambitious Manav Raghvendra (Ajay Devgn), the corrupt politician Balram Singh (Manoj Bajpayee), the confident journalist Yasmeen Ahmed (Kareena Kapoor) and the widow of a very hard working engineer, Akhilesh who happens to be Dwarka Anand's son, Sumitra (Amrita Rao).

The film has covered a lot of aspects of corruption, starting from a businessman to a politician to a government employee and the common man. The story of the film revolves around the fight for justice which is triggered in this small village as Akhilesh is killed. The death of this hardworking engineer is planted and the drama begins to unfold.

The best thing about this film is Manoj Bajpayee. He is as corrupt as corrupt can get and is very proud about it. According to him it is the duty of a politician to 'EARN' how much money he can in the span of 5 years. He is a comical character at many places but he is a politician you would love to hate. He like always essays the part of Balram Singh with such ease that for a second you forget you're watching Bajpayee on screen.

Ajay Devgn's grave portrayal of a man in dismay is another thing to lookout for. He is apt, delivers his punches well, engages you and you miss him when he's not in the frame.

Kareena Kapoor works well as Yasmeen Ahmed, the journalist. She is somehow the voice of the film. Kareena is good and confident. This is her first time with Jha but she gives everyone an equally tough fight. She looks good, she speaks well and establishes a connect with the audience.

Amitabh Bachchan is more or less like he was in Aarakshan as Dwarka Anand. Both the characters are similar to each other. Senior Bachchan is a treat to watch in the film only when he starts his 'Satyagraha' in the film. Before that you would go back to the time when Aarakshan released and recall memories.

Arjun Rampal as Arjun is good. He being from the common mass has been shown and dressed like one and that is the USP of that character. He is good with his lines and plays his part well. He has definitely come a very long way and now knows what to do to get noticed and well enough infront of stall wards like Amitabh Bachchan and Manoj Bajpayee.

Amrita Rao is fine as Sumitra who is the daughter in law of Dwarka Anand and the widow of Akhilesh.

Jha has taken account of a lot of instances that have happened around us to remind us of what the menace of corruption is doing to this country and how sad and sorry the state of affairs are. The modern rendition of the song 'Raghupati Raghav' is worth the wait. It holds you, grips you and makes you think and think deeper. Prasoon Joshi has done wonders with the lyrics of this particular song.

While everyone is battling corruption, Yasmeen and Manav fall in love in the subplot but thankfully that is not the end like many films of the main theme of the film.

The film could have been a master piece if they would have incorporated more drama. What the film lacked was a strong build up. It had its moments but it could not give me goose bumps. I was distracted by various things, one of them being way too many sponsors in the film. To give justice to the sponsors, some scenes have been shot which add to our comical relief.

The end of the film is quite unexpected though. Whatever everyone expected didn't happen. The film ends on a note which makes you think that what if these peaceful protests that start with a candle march turn violent one day? What if the common man gets so frustrated with the state of affairs in our country that he ends up being a criminal maybe? Who would be responsible for it? It does make you ponder about a lot of things. It inspires you to fight for your right and get what you deserve and more importantly, what you pay for. It doesn't preach but makes you wonder, what if?

All in all Satyagraha should be watched only if you like the theme of a social political drama and definitely for Manoj Bajpayee. He is the star of the show. Even though the film is not a full 10 on 10, but atleast such a film has been made that makes such an impact in our hearts and minds.

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