Rang De Basanti is your juicy fruit jell-o which does you no harm, but doesn't give you proteins either. Aiming to rekindle patriotism in neo-India, RDB works just about.
About a British girl who comes to India with a passion to make a film about the freedom movement, based on the diary of her grandfather, and an incident which changes things dramatically, Rang De toggles shrewdly between the happenings in reel and real during the first half.
This portion of the movie is loaded with infectious fun, frolic and dare-devilry, ranging from alu da paranthas with extra makkhan to canteen capers to freefalls to motorcycling wheelies (I even saw a guy wheelie on a busy road, the next afternoon).
In the second half, the story sways heavily from one side to another like a destruction ball, at times crossing limits of credibility and venturing into zones of delusion before taking one giant swing that shatters into the climax.
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra paints his canvas a multi hued abstract. Much like the logo of his production house, he is the archer looking at the ground with his arrow strung skywards.
Music is peppy and seeps into the mood of the film, except for one laboriously slow number that induces a premature interval in itself. The background score and cinematography are impressive and stylish.
Soha Ali Khan has never looked lovlier. Siddharth looks icy cool. Kunal Kapoor's pleasing looks and limpid eyes flirt endlessly with the camera. Atul Kulkarni is sincere as ever. Madhavan almost pulls off a deal out of a no deal. And RDB will do the same good to Sharman Joshi, what MBBS did to Arshad Warsi. Also garnished with Kirron Kher, Om Puri, Anupam Kher and Mohan Aghase in small significant roles.
Even with a slightly larger than life character, Aamir surprisingly doesn't dominate RDB. His role is a cocktail of sorts with the careworn mischief of Rangeela, the steely eyes of Sarfarosh, the ringed fists of Ghulam, the warm romance of Lagaan, the spirit of DCH and even the mooch ado of Mangal Pandey. He is the peppery DJ (he calls himself) whose Punjabi one liners are a stupendous draw for the film. His horseriding stills, splashed across the posters, do a Houdini act from the film itself, courtesy the animal rights activists.
Rang De Basanti is not a bad film. But it doesn't qualify as a classic either.
If I go to watch it again, it would only be because half the dialogues on screen were drowned in hoots, catcalls and whistles in the hall. Our generation was a little too awake that evening!
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