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Journalism of Courage
CHINA-GATE
This is the stuff engrossing and entertaining movies are made of. With China-Gate, Rajkumar Santoshi shows how an out-and-out commercial film can look artistic and appealing 8212; without the conventional crutch of good-looking faces and saleable stars. All you need is a sound screenplay packed with dramatic moments and a talented and dedicated cast.
Inspired by Akira Kurosawa8217;s Seven Samurai Santoshi doesn8217;t claim it8217;s original8217; or different8217;, with shades of our own blockbuster Western, Sholay, here8217;s a film where you might know what8217;s going to happen next, but still want to see it happen.
Ten armymen are humiliated and discharged from service when the China-Gate mission fails. 17 years later, Colonel Krishna Kant Om Puri and his friends find a new purpose 8212; and an opportunity to redeem themselves 8212; when Sandhya Mamta Kulkarni asks them to eliminate dreaded dacoit Jageera Mukesh Tiwari who has terrorised Devdurg and its adjoining villages. This group of of pot-bellied,middle-aged men is joined by Udit Samir Soni whose late father had been a part of the China-Gate group.
The beauty of this simple story lies in its approach, not its end. Santoshi has picked up Bollywood8217;s best character artists, studied their strengths and used them to his advantage. Each of these men has a distinct identity, and every actor gets enough space to display his talent. The drama unfolds through their interaction with each other, their fears and anxieties, grit and motivation.
While all the actors justify the director8217;s confidence in them 8212; notable among them, Om Puri, Danny Dengzongpa and Amrish Puri 8212; Naseeruddin Shah shines out from this talented bunch. He is definitely the hero of this film, despite being one of the crowd 8212; a feat he achieves effortlessly. Samir Soni makes an impressive debut, as does Mukesh Tiwari who has tried hard to stay out of Gabbar Singh8217;s shadow. China-Gate8217;s other key asset is Piyush Shah8217;s excellent cinematography.
On the flip side, the climax looks tame8211; especially after the brilliant build-up. Also, some scenes are way too melodramatic. The Urmila Matondkar dance number is wholly unnecessary and looks like an obvious add-on 8212; though it8217;s quite well done. But the biggest let-down is in the art department 8212; the sets that make Devdurg village don8217;t look authentic at all. Even the villagers8217; don8217;t look real with their spotless clean, starched clothes.
Flaws apart, China-Gate is thoroughly enjoyable.
Showing at Metro
DOLI SAJA KE RAKHNA
WHY does a simple love-story have to end up looking senseless and ludicrous? That too at the hands of an accomplished director like Priyadarshan? Yes, the man who made such sensitive films as Gardish and Virasat seems to have lost his way with Doli Saja Ke Rakhna 8212; it8217;s too loud, too melodramatic and way too long.
Inder Akshaye Khanna is studying for his MBA at a college where students roam around in black suits and blood red ties and bow-ties along with friends Pinto, Lallan and Jimmy. Hefalls in love with Pallavi Jyothika Sadanah, but her over-protective brothers Paresh Rawal, Mohnish Behl and Tej Sapru don8217;t approve of him. So they take turns beating up Inder and his friends.
The boys decide to take revenge on the three rude men, till Pallavi coaxes Inder out of this foolish plan. In the process, she falls in love with him, but cannot tell her family, since they are totally convinced he8217;s a rowdy, although there8217;s little evidence to back their belief. She runs away from home and starts living with Inder and his friends. When her brother storms into Inder8217;s parents8217; Anupam Kher and Moushami Chatterjee house and abuses them, they believe everything he says and ask their beloved son to pack Pallavi off to her family.
The two lovers and their friends run away to Pinto8217;s village where his fisherman father Amrish Puri decides to get them married. But Inder and Pallavi realise that tying the knot sans family blessings is not an exciting prospect. Wedding plans aborted, they go home anddecide to marry in accordance with their parents8217; wishes. Till the director springs a completely implausible surprise to tie up all ends.
From the beginning, Doli8230; lacks conviction. While it is not difficult to believe that possessive brothers might want to thrash their sibling8217;s lover, the manner in which it is done and the extent to which they stretch their hatred doesn8217;t make sense. Nor do they display any class or culture, though the director would have you believe that this is a respectable family. Inder8217;s doting parents have an instantaneous change of heart and choose to believe Pallavi8217;s arrogant brother over their well-behaved son.
Above all, the objections that both families raise to this love affair are never explained 8212; apart from the strange circumstances8217; that are supposed to be cause of everyone8217;s disapproval. The love story is lost amidst all these inconsistencies, which is a pity because it is the best thing about the film, along with KV Anand8217;s cinematography and AR Rahman8217;smusic.
Akshaye Khanna and Jyothika are brilliant. Both look innocent, vulnerable and completely in love. Especially Khanna, who is incredibly spontaneous and seems to know the art of charming the camera. Ninad Kamat who plays Inder8217;s friend is also impressive. Doli8230; is worth a look just for these performances.
Showing at Central Plaza
