Rang de Basanti

Yes, the film. I saw it a few days ago and it left a definitive and sharp impression on my mind. The movie (for those who haven’t yet watched it) is about a bunch of young college boys who are roped into acting in a documentary film being made by a foreigner on one of the numerous episodes of the national freedom struggle. The film is not the typical kind, with over-patriotic, zealous kids as the main protagonists, who are determined to change the system with honour and integrity. Instead, it is about a bunch of extremely ordinary college students, who go through a personal experience that changes them forever, and spurs them onto an extreme form of action in order to make their voices heard.
What is great about the film is the fact that it brings across the message that it intends to convey without any apologies, without trying to soften the blow, yet without sensationalizing or dramatizing it. The way the film switches from clips of the documentary being made in the film, to the real film is spot on. Also, worth mentioning is the fact that it’s been shot very well, and edited carefully.
The film makes certain very strong statements, which one needs to actively think about before agreeing or disagreeing. Of course, as with every film, it has its lows, one of which is Cyrus Sahukar. He’s quite crap anyway, and his acting in the movie just serves as a not-so-subtle reminder of the fact. Also, contrary to public opinion, I believe that Soha Khan is only applauded for her performance because the public at large had such a low opinion of her, that it was only possible for her to go up from there.Nevertheless, it must be mentioned that the movie is one of the best Bollywood attempts in the past few years. It’s definitely worth a watch, if not two. It’s hard-hitting, yet not sensational, it screams of reality, not exaggeration, and is, apart from everything else, a piece of good Indian cinema.