?I will ask him what he (Shakespeare) feels about Maqbool as soon as I meet him?
-Vishal Bhardwaj
For me, Shakespeare will definitely be proud of Vishal for wonderfully adapting his Macbeth and for remaining loyal to its theme that is still relevant today.
Though a talented musician, Vishal Bharadwaj could not really make huge waves in the music department. But with his debut film Makdee, he hit the bulls-eye and proved that he is a director to watch out for. And with Maqbool he has proved his credentials as a director. He is only the second music director after Salil Chowdhary to wield the directorial baton.
A lot of movies have been made based on William Shakespeare classic play ?Macbeth? like Akira Kurosawa's Throne Of Blood, Billy Morrissette?s Scotland PA, etc. Maqbool is the first Indian film to be adapted from Macbeth. Vishal has attempted to adapt this play to suit the present day situation in India where crime has pervaded the society and has taken care that the theme conforms to our culture. The movie also deals with the various aspects of humans who are caught in the vortex of love, betrayal, violence, guilt, and emotions & lunacy of the main protagonists who give importance to predictions and set out to destroy the near and dear ones. In short, Maqbool gives us an insight into the evil that is embodied in the human prototype.
STORY
Maqbool (Irfan Khan) is the most trusted understudy of Abbaji (Pankaj Kapoor), an underworld don. Being a loyal servant Maqbool does not succumb to the advances of Nimmi (Tabu), who is Abbaji?s paramour but loves Maqbool. Kaka (Piyush Mishra) is a faithful of Abbaji. His son Guddu (Ajay Gehi) marries Sameera (Masumi), Abbaji's daughter. Two corrupt police officers Pandit (Om Puri) and Purohit (Naseeruddin Shah) patronize Abbaji. One day they predict that Maqbool is destined to ascend the throne.
This prophecy, in future, becomes the reason for murders, deceit, and emotional drama. Meanwhile Maqbool does not approve of some decisions of Abbaji but has to reluctantly agree to them. Nimmi forces Maqbool to kill Abbaji by telling him that Guddu will take over the reigns of the mafia when Abbaji dies. Still Maqbool is reluctant but he finally agrees to kill Abbaji when Nimmi tells him ?Me or He?. He kills Abbaji and becomes the new don but the gang begins to disintegrate. He believes that Kaka, Guddu, etc are a threat to his supremacy.
At the same time the guilty pangs of killing Abbaji takes over him and consequently he becomes paranoid and goes on a killing spree annihilating everyone. The Police and the Politicians take this matter seriously. Maqbool can?t even resort to Nimmi?s help, who herself is pregnant and also suffering from guilt pangs that makes her lose her mental balance.
What follows is the desire of these two main protagonists to change the course of events and their attempt to discover an emotional core of their relationship that lies beneath the treachery committed by them.
PROS
The interrogation sequence where Naseer and Om Puri interrogate a prisoner and then bump him off is well executed.
The scene when Irfan reveals to Pankaj Kapoor about the affair of his daughter. The scene starts with revelation of Masumi?s affair with Kaka?s son, taunting of Irfan by Tabu, Kaka?s display of loyalty and the culmination of the scene is done with Pankaj Kapoor deciding to get Masumi married to Guddu. All these have bearing on the theme of the movie.
The execution scene of Pankaj is well picturised interspersing it with the sound of a goat?s bleat.
The scene where Tabu tells Irfan about her pregnancy and Irfan suspecting the child to be Pankaj?s is just superb. Irfan?s skeptical query and Tabu?s shocked reaction takes this scene to a great height.
The pre-interval scene where Tabu gives the ultimatum to Irfan to kill Abbaji.
The scenes depicting guilt pangs of Tabu and Irfan after Pankaj's murder are top class.
The anti-climax scene where Tabu breaks down in the arms of Irfan.
The climax sequence.
CONS
Since Irfan is raised in the ruthless atmosphere among anti-social elements and having killed many people, it is a bit hard to digest his guilty pangs and his desire to impugn himself.
The scene, where Tabu requests Irfan to say ''Meri Jaan'' to her, is very irritating.
Some heavy-duty scenes might not go well with the mass audience.
CAST
Portraying the role of a person whose over-ambitious nature proves to be his nemesis, Irfan Khan performs the role to perfection. His is a profound character, not of a megalomaniac. Though one despises his character when he kills people but his character also evokes sympathy on seeing his struggle with his conscience. This transformation of character needed a great actor to portray it and Irfan has proved that he indeed is a great actor.
Tabu's performance as a manipulative, seductive and scheming woman who later on suffers from guilty feeling is top notch. Initially she is enthusiastic about the conspiracy but is shocked by its repercussions. Her manipulations leave her deranged only to find gloom. Though at times, Tabu over-acts.
Though their roles are not well etched out, Om Puri & Naseeruddin Shah bring the screen alive with their presence and provide some comic relief with their clumsy act and clairvoyance. More often then not their predictions come true.
Pankaj Kapoor suits the role perfectly and has given a first rate performance. His mannerisms, gargled voice befits an underworld don. Whether he is showing his clout in the police station or dealing in a stern manner with politicians or ordering a loyal aid to drink liquor to show his loyalty, he lives the role of a Don to perfection.
Piyush Mishra, Masumi have given excellent performances. Piyush is the actor to watch out for in future. Ajay Gehi performs well.
TECHNICAL TEAM
Vishal has cut a fine balance with the festive, gritty, shocking and emotional scenes. He has taken care not to glorify violence by resorting to superfluous violent scenes but instead has focused on the emotional and tragic effects of the violence. He has shot the film stylishly though high production values could have made his film more lavish. For a change he has shown the underworld in a deglamourised way.
Story and Screenplay by Vishal and Abbas Tyrewala is superb. They have done full justice to the Shakespeare?s work and have retained the play's spirit in the film.
Vishal Bharadwaj and Gulzar team up once again after Maachis, Satya. The songs are good and are integrated well into the film's narrative.
Cinematographer Hemant Chaturvedi is top class.
Editing by Aarif Sheikh is crisp.
CONCLUSION
Maqbool has the potential to become a crossover film since the theme is familiar to the western audience. It has already made waves in lots of film festival all around the world and won lots of accolades. For the Indian audience, the movie is neither a mainstream nor an art movie. As the producer Bobby Bedi said, ?It is a beautiful blend of art and commerce?. Though the movie is based on Macbeth, one should not look to deeply for the literary adaptation because only the spirit of Macbeth is taken and not the whole vision of Macbeth.
Maqbool is for a niche audience but whoever stopped the masses from liking this movie.
Verdict: Go for it.
Your comments will be highly appreciated.
AMJAD K. MARUF
