Hair ~Rising~ experience. Review on Mangal Pandey - The Rising

Enough of labouriously pouring into history books on Mangal Pandey or clicking aimlessly at related links on Google. Only God and this legendary 1857 sepoy knows if he serenaded with a nauch girl Heera under the moonlit night! Director Ketan Mehta insists The Rising is a ballad (whatever that is) and not a biography on Mangal. So, for his sake, I am resting my academia cells and entering into the luxurious Inox, Bangalore with a 200/- ticket fervently hoping that the movie will be worth the price.

Poof!

So, did The Rising click? Did I make it back to my room whole & healthy after weaving through the immortal Bangalore traffic with cramped knees (the #@ legspace at Inox)? Yes mate, the return trip was safe and sound. About the movie...it made me realise how a long mane of hair and twirling moustache can pull box office collection!

My verdict ~ annoying in parts but entertaining as a whole thanks simply to the heartening performances of British actor Toby Stephens and Aamir Khan. If not for them, (shudders) I would need an influential lawyer to bail me out for soaking the theatre owner's head down the toilet seat...

The music by A.R. Rahman (serious?) was fine as long as the reels kept moving. It's not endearing enough for me to buy and stack it in my shelf. Kinda like use & throw - I listened to it once and mumbled a polite thank-you at the end.

Sorry if my beats on the music or any other facets of the movie weren't informative enough. Usually, I watch a movie only for performances and the story.

So, let me cough only on what I enjoy the most ~ Actors, kindly be in queue and wait your turn to the guillotine...

Toby Stephens as Capt. William Gordon ~ arguably, the best performance in the movie and a role as meaty as Aamir Khan's. Perhaps, also the best by a foreign actor in a Bollywood movie? I am moved by his dedication. Watch out for his show-stealing moment during the court martial of Mangal Pandey. Whistles and loud claps from audience. Even Aamir couldn't hide the surprise on his face :)

Aamir Khan as Mangal Pandey ~ a four-year sabbatical but thank god, he returned unrusty. Even though the movie sunk below my expectations, the Khan shined and warmed the audience. His fiery speech to the confused & scared sepoys minutes before the disastrous rebellion against the British regiment gave me goosebumps! There was a temporary surge of adrenaline and at that moment, I felt like fixing a bayonet and charge at the white men myself. Also, he looks more handsome under all that hair! On second thought, let him shave clean now or his career will sing Bye-bye. I need more Lagaans or Dil Chahta Hais from the dude but please spare us the long wait!

Rani Mukherjee as Mangal's love Heera ~ Fizzzzzzz! Barring her graceful dance to the song of 'Teri Adaon Pe Mein Vaari Vaari', it was a lacklustre show. I was especially miffed by the smirk on her face during the wedlock with Mangal hours before he's packed to the gallows! No, she wasn't doing it consciously. It's a mannerism which she couldn't control. Many actors have a similar problem. For Rajnikanth, its his walk. For Dev Anand, it could be his neck twitching. For Rani, she tends to lean her smile more towards one side - a smirk! For the unaware, it may seem she was saying to Mangal, ''good riddance!''. Hope she checks this flaw. I admire her talent and wish to see more of her classical dance moves in future movies.

Amisha Patel as the widow Jwala ~ Ah, my favorite punching bag! Such a beautiful face and it ends up being used for long screams complete with copious tears and ''help! I'm a lady in distress'' dialogues. She is dangerously close to perfecting the shriek act and beating just born babies! Directors, please rescue her from more emotional trauma and stuff her roles with more zest, sense and sensibility.

Sohrab Ardeshir as opium dealer Sorabji ~ Wow! Watch this seasoned actor suavely handle a British officer who charge him for opium trade. As smooth as silk, as deft as a pro! We need to see more of him.

Kiron Kher as brothel keeper Lol Bibi ~ She never fails to impress. The chewing of paan, the hefty figure, garish jewellery, the sadistic smile - everything about her act is a knockout.

The rest of the crew like the local untouchable (Atul Kumar) and the Indian wet-nurse (Mona Ambegoankar) are effective too. Yet, the foreign actors barring Toby badly needed Glucose and quick lessons on acting! Grinding accent, lifeless expressions and no enthusiasm whatsoever.

When I reminisce about Rising today, there's virtually nothing that I fondly treasure except the efforts of Toby Stephens and Aamir Khan. And how can I forget that in-your-face bright red & white sepoy uniforms! Also, closing my eyes, I can see Aamir's flowing hair and moustache teasing the wind...

Hope the hairdo does not become a fad. Or else, God forbid, I must use an Enfield rifle. Ketan Mehta, say your prayers :)