After a long gap, here comes a movie with a super strong script. Good job done by the scripting team, understanding that Prakash Jha himself was involved in this stage.
A beautiful adaptation of Mahabharata! If Karna was soot putra, here he was the Driver's son. If he was from the lower caste, not a kshatriya, today he belonged to the Dalit community. If Duryodhan was the rightful owner of the kingdom, here his father was the head of the political party and the party was the Question of ownership. And to add humour, the modern Kunti, also uses the term, 'Jyestha Putra', with Ajay, nudging the BR Chopra's Mahabharat episodic dialogue. If Krishna played a pivotal role in decision making there, here he was the prime advisor for the party! If killing people and cheating people was ok then, it is still ok here. In fact a dialogue in the movie said, "politics is not about making the right/wrong decisions, it is about making decisions to ensure the objective is met!" Wow... Kudos to such Dialogues.
The differences were, this Arjun never needed Gitaupdesh, in fact he made his own decisions. This draupadi did not sleep with both the brothers! At least that is what is concluded!
Some of the key highlights in the script were:
1. When the Arjuna or the politician in Ranbeer Kapoor wakes up, thanks to the super duper slap by the Police inspector. That was well directed.
2. When Ranbeer kapoor connivingly declares his brother's entry as the candidate, in front of the entire crowd, and much to Manoj Bajpai and Ajay Devgan's helpless disapproval.. Well thought scene
3. When the corrupt politician is forced to declare the secret ventures of Manoj Bajpai on TV.
The best scene, actually the 2 best scenes in the movie were:
1. When Sarah Thompson and Arjun Rampal die in the bomb blast! - Man that blew me. What direction and camera work! and totally unexpected!
2. In the climax, Ajay Devgan carries the almost dead Manoj Bajpai on his shoulders. That scene spoke volumes about the state of politics in his Party and symbolised the deadness and defeat, while showing his extreme loyalty to his friend, in spite of the sorry state. It just took my heart away! :)
In terms of Acting:
1. Hats off to Nana Patekar. He fully used his charismatic smile and spoke less(Thank God that the Krantiveer days are over!). True Krishna style... Good job!
2. Arjun Rampal is suave in looks and style! Can't expect him to be raw and animalistic! Arjun, stick to stylish and suave characters until you learn the right diction and emotions!
3. Ranbeer Kapoor did a good job. He should do more such roles, to impress me.
4. Katrina Kaif... was just the glamour girl.. nothing much!
5. Big surprise was Shruti seth scenes! Some shararats she did in the movie, much to my surprise!
The strong point in the script was how Ranbeer Kapoor turns every adversary into his side:
1. When his father is assassinated, he uses politics to ensure his brother is alive and accepted by people for the candidature, instead of succummbing to the pain
2. When Katrina Kaif's father refuses to fund his party until Arjun marries her, he is able to convince the love stuck Katrina to marry his brother, instead of harassing the audience with the love triangle saga.
3. The politics that he played in the second half were so dirty, but much needed for his party...
4. In the end, how he convinces Katrina to join politics and uses the emotions of the people to ensure his party wins.
Really high points in the script!
Through out the first half, the script ensured that the audience was glued to the screen.. in fact I missed some major twists because I attended some calls during the movie! Wow!
In total, a well made script that impressed me totally for its fine details and well thought characters.
This script should be a good example to learn, for Mr. Karan Johar, Yash Chopras.
I love such genres of films!
