Aug 12, 2011 04:14 PM
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(Updated Aug 12, 2011 04:15 PM)
Our society has progressed and hence education today is given topnotch importance. Competition is at an all-time high and every parent hopes that their child gets the best of teachers and institutions for guidance and for this, they are willing to go to any length. Few business-minded individuals saw this as a great opportunity to exploit in the name of education. The result: coaching classes, charging inflated fees, have sprung up everywhere around the country. Parents have no choice but to pay through their nose as these classes somehow guarantee good percentage. But the parent’s worry doesn’t end here as even after securing high marks, their child might not get enrolled in a good college thanks to high cut-offs and not to forget, reservation! It’s burning issues like these that Aarakshan tackles and does a great job which was quite expected from someone like Prakash Jha! The drama and confrontation that takes place between characters is simply fabulous!
The story of the movie: Prabhakar Anand (Amitabh Bachchan) is the principal of Shakuntala Thakral Mahavidyalaya (STM) and a man of principles. Giving discipline and morals large importance, the kind-hearted Anand ensures all his students love him and that his college turns into the state’s best. Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan), Anand’s loyal disciple and a junior lecturer in his college is in love with Anand’s daughter Poorbi (Deepika Padukone). Both Deepak and Poorbi along with their buddy Sushant (Prateik) are having a time of their life until the Supreme Court passes a pro-reservation order and all hell breaks loose. What follows is a powerful drama as friendship, love and loyalty is put under test.
Love it or hate it, but one can’t ignore the fact that the goings-on in Aarakshan are bound to leave a mark. This is because it tackles issues and problems which we all have faced at some point or the other in our life. However, it would be wrong to assume that the film is issue-based and hence ‘boring’. The fact is, Aarakshan has loads of drama and well-executed moments to keep the interest alive.
The first half is dhamakedaar to say the least. The film falters during the song Mauka but other than that, the first hour boasts of high-voltage scenes, many of which give goosebumps. The second half too has several terrific moments. But the problem that arises is the film here shifts its focus from reservation to business of education and one man’s fight against the system. Nothing wrong with that; but then, the title ‘Aarakshan’ doesn’t do justice to the film. Nevertheless, the interest doesn’t dip at all even though the film is almost 160 minutes long. The climax could had been impactful but yet, makes for a great watch. The film ends without doing anything about the reservation issue it raised but still, it doesn’t matter much as you get your money’s worth!
Aarakshan belongs to Amitabh Bachchan. One gets so impressed with Prabhakar Anand’s methods and principles that when he’s criticized and loathed, your heart goes to him. And when he emerges triumphant in the finale, you can’t help but rejoice too! Sure, his performance reminds of his act in Mohabbatein as well as Rann (wherein too he played a headman driven by morality). But yet his performance in Aarakshan stands out and only a veteran like Mr Bachchan could have managed it!
It was a pleasure to see Saif Ali Khan after almost 2 years. Performance-wise, he was undoubtedly excellent but it’s disappointing to see an actor of his stature getting a raw deal. He vanishes in the middle portions of the film and when he returns, he doesn’t do much except messing up the already messed up situation! But on second thoughts, it’s good to see actors like Saif taking up such issue-based films even though it’s clear that the focus won’t be on them. Yet, get ready for rumour-articles that probably will screm ‘Saif unhappy with his role in Aarakshan; confronts Prakash Jha’!
Deepika Padukone looked ravishing and yet again delivered a brilliant performance! Prateik too does a great job although his character seemed half-baked. Manoj Bajpayee shines! After Raajneeti, he comes up with yet another bravura negative role that is sure to get noticed. Very curious to see him in his next, Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur! Another actor that impresses considerably is Yashpal Sharma (Shambhu). With Aarakshan, he proves that he deserves to be seen in positive roles too! S M Zaheer (Big B’s friend) was too good in the lone sequence. Tanvi Azmi, Darshan Jariwala, Mukesh Tiwari, Chetan Pandit, Saurabh Shukla, Vinay Apte and others do put their best foot forward. Hema Malini enhances impact in her guest appearance.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music is quite alright. Accha Lagta Hai is obviously the best song and Roshanee and Saans Albeli follow suit. However, Wayne Sharpe’s background score is elegant that gives a beautiful touch to the proceedings (and during opening credits too). Sachin Krishn’s cinematography was flawless. The film has been shot in eye-catching locations of Bhopal like lakefronts, Oriental College, Hotel Surendra Vilas etc
This certainly isn’t Prakash Jha-Anjum Rajabali’s (writer) best work. But yet the duo has tried their best to come up with a flawless and engaging screenplay and have succeeded to a great extent. Also, the shuddh Hindi dialogues create tremendous impact. Same goes for Prakash Jha’s direction. The manner in which he handled the caste issues (first half) and Prabhakar Anand’s struggles and conflicts and depicted working of KK Coaching Classes’ was thoroughly interesting. At the same time, one wish Jha would have tackled the reservation issue fiercely and not left it mid-way. A famous celebrity who visited our college couple of years back when asked about reservation had answered “There should definitely be reservation but not caste-based. After all, in our society, there are rich Dalits and poor Brahmins. Hence, reservation should be on the basis of class and not caste”. I wish Prakash Jha would have thrown light on this aspect. Yet, a great work and hope to see him churning out more issue-based films in future!
Some of the best scenes:
Deepak Kumar’s entry
The song ‘Accha Lagta Hai’ and ‘Roshanee’
Education minister comes to meet Prabhakar Anand
Supreme Court announces its verdict on reservation
Deepak-Sushant’s confrontation in the canteen
Anand catches Mithilesh in KK Coaching Class
The intermission point
Anand gets a shock after landing up at his second home
Poorbi confronts Anand
Deepak turns aggressive
Anand lands up at Shambhu’s place on the rainy night
The last 25 minutes
On the whole, Aarakshan is a hard-hitting social drama that tackles the issue of business of education more than the reservation issue. But no complaints as it thoroughly engrosses the viewer and the topnotch performances are like an icing on the cake. With the Ramzan period and ban in couple of states, Aarakshan definitely will have problems in profiting and hence its chances of being a commercial success sadly seem bleak. Yet, it surely deserves a watch, once at least!
