Prakash Jha's latest multi-starrer, Raajneeti, is a movie that tries to portray the current political scenario in India. It tries to highlight that politics is now all about money, mind games, dirt and filth !
Prakash Jha has intelligently mixed up a few tried and tested formulae and presented a new dish to the audience. Raajneeti is nothing but a multi-starrer khichdi.
1. The Mahabharata angle:
A major chunk of Raajneeti comes from the epic Mahabharata. If anyone has seen Raajneeti, almost every character has been modelled on some or the other character from the epic.
Ranbir Kapoor's role is based on Arjun who is the key character in Jha's Raajneeti. He is guided by Nana Patekar, whose role is based on Krishna, who guides Arjun (Ranbir) throughout the film. Arjun Rampal's role is modelled on Yudhishthir. Rampal has a soft corner for females while Yudhishthir had a soft corner for gambling. Manoj Bajpai is the Duryodhan. Ajay Devgn (yes, its Devgn, and not Devgan) is the Karna of the film, Arjun and Ranbir's half brother who joins Bajpai's side. Katrina Kaif is almost like Draupadi, torn between Ranbir and Arjun. And not to mention, the whole story has lots of ups and downs like the grand epic Mahabharata.
2. The Godfather angle:
Some of the scenes seem to have been directly taken from the Hollywood flick Godfather. The influence of Godfather on Raajneeti is clearly evident.
3. The Sonia Gandhi angle:
Although the film makers deny this, the politician look (which comes in the end) of Katrina Kaif is clearly based on Sonia Gandhi. The look, the dressing, the gestures, expressions, all of them give an impression of Sonia Gandhi. This angle was added to give the film some unwanted publicity (read :: controversy). But the speech that Katrina Kaif delivers in her maiden political rally seems to be fake. It somehow doesn't give a genuine feel. Audience can not connect to her as a leader. Most of the exhibitors were laughing (or giggling) at that speech.
4. Love Sex aur Dhokha angle:
Politics is all about love for the 'kursi' or power, sex and betrayal. And thats what this film shows.
CONCLUSION:
The movie is well shot, well scripted, well directed, and has some fabulous acting. The first half was excellent, but Jha couldn't carry the same effect in the second half. Ranbir was fab, Arjun was fab (for a change), Nana was superb, Bajpai did a great job. Katrina's role wasn't upto the expectation. Ajay's role also lacked substance. But all in all, its a good movie. Worth a watch.
THE FINAL EQUATION:
Raajneeti = Mahabharata + Godfather + Love Sex aur Dhokha + Sonia Gandhi + Politics
A FEW GLITCHES:
One thing that Prakash Jha showed was a lot of killings of the top leaders of the rival parties. This looked unoriginal. I wish this could really happen in India. Desh ka kuchh to bhala hota. ;)
GFN METER:
On the GFN meter, I'd rate Raajneeti 3.5 on a scale of 5.
I LOVED:
- Manoj Bajpai's acting
- Katrina Kaif's look (in the first half)
- Nana Patekar's fantabulous acting
- the soundtrack, especially Bheegi Si Bhaagi Si and Mora Piya Mo Se Bolat Naahi. I missed these songs in the movie though.
PS: I'm not a professional movie critic, nor I am paid for this review. *sob sob* All the views expressed above are my personal views. Yours may vary.
