1857 The Rising ---- A History in the making. Review on Mangal Pandey - The Rising

Cast: Amir Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Amisha Patel, Toby Stephens, Coral Beed

Director: Ketan Mehta

Music: A.R Rahman

The Rising....... the most anticipated movie this year, well it is in the news since last year and every one is curious to know more about it and eager to have a go at it in the movie halls near(or far, does not matter actually!) them. This epic is based on real historical events, seen as a trigger for Indian independence.

I have not seen this movie, so do not expect a detailed review, but I have read few articles in few weeklies and papers and the more I read such reviews,the WANT to see this movie is growing bigger and bigger.

Aamir khan is a kind of actor who would give all that he has to a character that he would play. One of the most amazing talent in Hindi Film industry. I have seen very few of such actors who gives it all to a character. One film at a time, one shift a day, he decided for creative integrity. And that pays him well,more often than not. It may take years together to complete the film but he wont do any other film until the one on hand is completed. Be it as a Mangal pandey in Rising(Remember, he grew long hairs, moustache and not to forget, he stoped eating non veg food!!!) I mean, this is Professionalism at its best or professionalism to the CORE. Now a days he has that weird kind of hair style and looks and it is obvious that he has been doing a movie and it requires that style.

Anyways, that is Aaamir Khan for you. It was just a small introduction to all you folks(I know, you all did not know even 1 % of what is said in the above paragraph :-) :-) ) of Aamir khan -- The undisputed KING of BOLLYWOOD (All you SRK fans... excuse me please)

The movie

The Rising is an epic story of friendship, love, loss and betrayal set in the backdrop of the Indian rebel of 1857. The story starts with British plundering the country for all its worth, treating the locals unjustly and causing widespread resentment. Worst of all they are using the Indians as Soldiers, the infantry of the army, to control and regulate our own population!

After a hundred years of making subservient, India is awakening to the revolutionary prospect of change and self-rule.

During a fierce battle in the Afghan wars, Mangal, a brave soldier rescues his British commander William Gordon. This event creates a strong friendship and binding loyalty between Mangal Pandey and his Commander in chief, that surpasses the consideration of rank and race.

This friendship between them is soon challenged, by arrival of a charming and beautiful young aristocrat, Emily Kent and from there on it is as if the GOD is hell bent upon to test their friendship!.Then comes,the introduction of controversial new gun cartridges among the troops. The relationship between the two main characters becomes more complicated when Gordon saves a beautiful young native girl, Jwala, from the funeral pyre of her late husband (SATI), and falls in love with her.

The new cartridges require soldiers to bite through their greased casing, made of animal fat, and suspicion spreads that the British are ignoring religious beliefs in favor of cheap weapons, and polluting their Muslim and Hindu soldiers. Gordon assures Mangal that the cartridges are free from pollution and demonstrating his total trust in Gordon, Mangal bites the cartridge. He soon discovers that it really is animal fat and the rumor of this imposed pollution is the spark which did the trick and it ignites the barrel of indignation in the country. Open rebellion against constituted authority breaks out with Mangal growing in stature to lead the Indian people to freedom.

Music

Well, when you see that name A.R.Rehman, there is nothing much that you could comment up on. He is the best in the business and 10 out of 10 times it is assured that this man would get you the best of the music along with the songs. This Amazing talent has that rare distinction of giving WONDERFUL MUSIC every time you turn upto him.

So obviously we would be in for some serious music which would be cherished for a long long time to come (At least I expect so)

Director

Ketan Mehta: Born in a small town in Gujarat, Ketan Mehta was educated in New Delhi and graduated in film direction from The Film Institute of India and has six feature films, seven documentaries and a television serial to his credit. With his explicit and rare kind of direction, Ketan Mehta has won himself the reputation of being ''the most perceptive and talented representative of the rising generation of film makers.''

Few of his movies in the past:

Mirch Masala(Hero: Naasiruddin Shah)

Maya Memsaab(Hero: ShahRukh khan)

Hero Hiralal(Hero: Naasiruddin Shah)

Oh Darling Yeh Hai India(Hero: ShahRukh khan)

Facts

• Set in one of the most beautiful countries on earth, The Rising tells the tale of friends, lovers and enemies and the growth and awareness of a common man and a nation .

  
  




• It has been filmed in India with a mix of British and Indian cast.

  
  




• The films budget is a whopping 82 Crores INR, which makes it the Highest budget movie till date in INDIAN CINEMA.

  
  

Just cannot wait to see this movie at Forum ....

Your ratings and comments are eagerly awaited.....

Amith