Bahut Bada Hai Tu. Bahut Akad Hai Tohra Mein. Dekh Kaise Ukadte Hain Akad Teri. There couldn't be a better tribute to Dashrath Manjhi and showcasing the saga of his unflinching arduous mammoth dream. Though, it is sad that it took so long for his "madness" to get recognized. I can bet that if people didn't know about Manjhi, no one would have even dared to pen a fictional script like this.
I have always appreciated work of Nawazuddin Siddiqui but it is the first time that he has left me spellbound. By far, one of the best work done by him till date. From a romantic fun loving guy to an adamant gutsy old man. What variation, What emotions! If Irrfan will be remembered as Paan Singh, Nawaz would always be remembered as Manjhi. No one can touch your Filmfare this year Nawaz smile emoticon
Phaguniya..Phaguniya.. Once again you have bowled me over yaar. Radhika Apte How effortlessly you can transition from a practical modern women in Hunterr to a seductress in Ahalya to a village damsel in Manjhi. Critics might call me insane, but I wouldn't resist from comparing her with legend Shabana Azmi. Today in Bollywood, Radhika Apte defines versatility and quality cinema. Please don't get lured by 100Cr Club and Karan Johars of the world. Earnest Request!
Directors beware, old tiger is back on the prowl. In 2014, Rang Rasiya and in 2015 Manjhi- The Mountain Man. You totally rock Ketan Mehta. Welcome back to the pitch. We totally missed you in last 10 years since Mangal Pandey: The Rising in 2005. This film could have easily veered into the territory of boring documentaries. It requires the vision and expertise of an able director like Ketan to tell that compelling story infused with emotions and laced with the petals of romance.
Tigmanshu Dhulia's character is straightaway lifted from GoW, which he must have done effortlessly. After watching Pankaj Tripathi in Masan, his role of Ruab in Manjhi was nothing more than chickenfeed. Most of the conversation has colloquial touch of Magahi but shouldn't be difficult to understand for Hindi audience. However, you might miss the intensity of those punches smile emoticon
Due to absence of Khans, this movie won't touch any impressive financial figures but it'll be cherished forever in imdb lists of quality and meaningful cinema.
Some of the lines which are absolutely clap worthy:
1) Shaandar..Jabardast..Zindabaad!
2) Bahut Bada Hai Tu. Bahut Akad Hai Tohra Mein. Dekh Kaise Ukadte Hain Akad Teri
3) "Apna newspaper chalu karna asaan kaam nahi hai."
"Pahad tode bhi jaada muskil hai ka!"
4) Bhagwan ke bharose mat baithiye, ka pata oo hamare bharose baitha ho!
Please watch it if you like to watch quality cinema. Should be watched with your better half smile emoticon
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Talvar is a thriller film based on Arushi Talwar murder case. It is however not one of those gripping murder mysteries which will keep you on the edge of your seats. But, it is a disturbing documentary which exposes the flaws, inefficiencies and corruption in Indian legal system. How, CBI is more concerned about professional rivalry and ego rather than focusing on punishing the guilty. It also highlights the influences of media on everyone. How media is quick to jump on conclusion even before the verdict in court? How media can create a bias even for investigating officers. Irrfan said a beautiful line in film, We people first decide on who is guilty then we try to find motives and evidences to frame him.
This was one of the tough films to make, since so much has been said about this case in media. It doesn't have much scope for creative freedom. Yet, if Meghana Gulzar chose to take this challenge, she should have lived up to audience expectations. I wasn't entertained by watching this film, but definitely it informed me about the case clearly like a well made documentary. Screenplay and editing were 2 weak areas, which could have been done better. I strongly feel that if Vishal Bhardwaj would have directed it as well, he would have done a much better job.
This film has some impressive ensemble like Neeraj Kabi, Konkona and Tabu. All these great actors were wasted in the film due to lack of much screen presence. Irrfan is the only reason, why someone might appreciate this film. He is a marvel, who can make any role lively even within such limited scope. Thank God, film didn't have any songs as they would have completely killed the fast pace of film.
Some people might argue that film should not have taken sides with one group of suspects. But, I think of it as director's cut and her version of story which she believed in. Unfortunately, media is too influential in our country and most of the audience would also believe in this version of truth. Does that influence actual proceedings of the case? It would be interesting to watch how it turns out to be.
Verdict: Watch it as a documentary and not as a film. It will leave you with a heavy heart and disturbed mind, so watch it at your discretion.
Ratings: 3/5 ( Film can not have a drag and has to be entertaining, period. If it was a news documentary, then I would have given 5/5)
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