Agneepath Movie Review

“Agneepath”, The first biggie of 2012 and one of the awaited multi-starrer of the season has arrived this republic day and is raining records for Hrithik Roshan like never before. A remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s Yesteryear’s cult classic seems to strike the chord with the audience, in fact more than the original. 

Plot: Story opens in an island village, Mandwa which is apparently ruled by evil Kancha (Sanjaydutt). When the school master Dinanath Chauhan tries to gather villagers to revolt against Kancha, he was trapped and brutally killed. This incident implants the seeds of vengeance in his son Vijay Chauhan (Hrithik Roshan). Vijay Chauhan waits for his turn, emerges as Mumbai’s drug lord and finally reaches Kancha to avenge his father’s death!!

Actors…

Agneepath a normal revenge saga is more about the characters and performances that live larger than its plot.  

Hrithik plays the Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, an iconic name used by Amitabh Bachchan. The best part, Hrithik stays his own and has his style of portraying the same character. You see in Vijay Chauhan a man, whose life is only and only the Vengeance. Speaks less, and uses his eyes more to express the anger, pain and little joy he has in his life. Hrithik though not the best performer in the movie lives up to the role and makes the audience connect to his pain. And let me not forget young Vijay Dinanath Chauhan played by Arish Bhiwandiwala. He does commendable job for first 20 minutes.

Kancha, played by Sanjaydutt is no doubt one of the best villainous roles we have seen in Indian cinema. And Sanju baba, by looks and by dialogue more than frightens the audience doing what truly a Villain has to do. But surprisingly his presence is not extended throughout the film. After creating a strong impact in the beginning, one has to wait till the post-interval block to feel his giant presence. Never in my life waited so much to see the villain on the screen? Sanjay Dutt is the best in one word.

 Another actor who steals the first half is Rishi Kapoor with his superb portrayal of Rauf Lala, a drug lord in Mumbai. Its new character which is not there in the original and that says that this Agneepath is not entirely a remake. A Role of loving father, cunning Master, very crooked but yet looks human and finally deceived; Rishi Kapoor entertains us in every frame he is in.

Om Puri finally gets to play a decent role that suits his caliber. He plays Gaitonde, city commissioner very upright and clever in his acts. Zarina Wahab as Vijay’s mother too deserves applause.

Priyanka Chopra as Kaali exists for sake of some support to Vijay. Her presence has no impact but just thinking her absence might have created some space. Overall she looked good…J

What Priyanka Chopra can’t do throughout her presence, Katrina Kaif does it in her short stint. She sizzles in her bumper item “Chikni Chameli”, the best of all songs in the flick. If at all best item was given filmfare, Katrina would have deserved consecutive two!!

Revenge saga told rivetingly!!

A single line story of revenge transforms into a brilliant piece of cinema, thanks to the director Karan Malhotra who grabbed best of performances and superb inputs from his crew.

His Story telling deserves distinction. He starts off smoothly in the village Mandwa, depicting the father-son relationship, introducing us to Kancha’s cruelty followed by brutal murder of Masterji which all gives a great impact to the revenge drama that takes place later.  Vijay realizes it requires a power to beat the powerful. Enter Rauf Lala, the drug monster and Gaitonde straightforward commissioner both by different means serve as ladder to Vijay to reach his target. Except for few interruptions by Kaali (Priyanka), First half which shows Vijay’s rise to power, goes with pace, it’s all the brilliance of Rishi Kapoor.

     And it’s in later half Hrithik gets to meet his staunch enemy Kancha. While initial part of later half is occupied by some family drama, Kancha snatches it immediately and draws to the climax. The Director calls Mandwa, Lanka and Kancha the Raavan. And for those who can’t believe how an almighty and literally undefeatable Kancha can be put to an end by an ordinary hero, this reference to Ramayan serves as an answer. And you instantly bow to the man’s perseverance to seek his revenge. Apart from the tight climax fight, director is able to bring in some tears when Vijay’s sister for the first time knows about her brother and also a scene where Vijay’s mother slaps him after she invites him to the house for dinner.  

Behind the screen…  

Film story starts in year 1977 and the most part is conceived in 1992 on-screen. Production team brings to life those days with the houses, cars and auto-rickshaws etc. Cinematography by Kiran Deohans is bright and brings in various colors of Mumbai.  And an altogether different grey color scheme is chosen for Mandwa. The Screenplay is gripping and editing is crisp, should have been crispier.

Finally...

More than anything, Agneepath is story telling that is stupendously supported by its star cast, that you don’t mind revisiting the revenge saga sitting in theatre for 3 hours. Each character has got its due on the screen and they don’t allow you to think back and compare with the original. Thus Agneepath makes a significant tribute to yesteryear generation and offers a delightful watch for the current. One good Bollywood film I loved watching!!