Page 13 People . Review on Tango Charlie

As Ajay Devgan says in the earlier part of the film, even if the entire platoon is killed fighting the insurgency in Manipur, it may just about make it to a column on page 13 of the national dailies.

The average Indian doesn't care about those dying daily in proxy-wars all across the Indian heartlands. The BSF jawans dying for that Indian, fortunately, don't care either. The rest of the movie makes you care...

That is the story of ''Tango Charlie'', in a bombshell.

Tango Charlieis a mainstream classic from the chap who gave us the underrated multiplex movie 16 December. Mani Shankar joins the rank of other multiplex heroes like Madhur Bhandarkar, Anant Balani, Ken Ghosh, et al who have made the successful leap from small-budget almost-arty movies to the broad canvas of multi-starrer big-banner extravaganzas. Their success is a sign of maturity in the Indian film industry. More than the audiences, it seems Bollywood producers have acquired taste for some delectable stories. LOL

Bobby Deol not being a particular favourite, we were apprehensive of going for the movie. After all, with a repertoire of action classicslike Bicchu, Badal and Bardaasht behind him, we werent sure if one more dose of baloney was what the doctor ordered! Then my wife saw Ajay Devgan in the credits, Neeraj recognised the director from past works, and I saw Nandana Sen on the poster. That clinched it.

The consensus was that it may not be a classic-- but it won't be boring.

We were not too wrong.

Bobby Deols is well cast as the lead character, who doesnt need more than 2 expressions to walk through the filmshock and awe. India's answer to Keanu Reeves plays Tarun Chopra (aka Tango Charlie in wartime moniker). The story traces his innocent origins as a BSF jawan posted in the jungles of Manipur to the grim realities of the war in Kargil. I am still unsure whether anyone that has seen so much blood can retain the chocolate innocence Bobby does. He looks more like an MBA suited to an air-conditioned lifestyle than the hardened war-hero.

The production design takes all my awards. The producer has not flinched when it came to recreating the ravaged countryside. Be it the selvan death-traps of Manipur or the period settings of Bengal, the riot-torn streets of Gujarat or the hostile snows of Kargil the viewer travels deep into the canvas. The theatre I saw didnt have Dolby sound etc but we didnt miss anything. The visuals and soundtrack (background score by the criminally under-utilised Ranjit Barot) are enough. Direction and attention to detail by Mani Shankar is comparable to the best in Hollywood, with Indian Budgets of course ;)

Cameos by Sanjay Dutt and Sunil Shetty are a delight to watch. They bring an awesome dignity to a minor role, with glimpses of their post-Kaante chemistry. They are like sutradhaars, echoing the excitement and insensitivity of the viewers to all the insanity and gore. It could well degenerate into a documentary with the heavy theme and everyday violence, were it not for the irreverence displayed by these 2 characters. They make it easier for us to enjoy the film as a film.

The women, like all war movies, are required to add a third dimension to the hero. Like all war-movies, they are eminently forgettable except as speed-breakers to the narrative flow. Tanishaa is not Kajol, and that is a disappointment. Nandana Sen, however, marks her debut as the next hot Bollywood babe. After the simmering sister in Black, here she plays the fiery daughter of a Bengali zamindaar. Her moves on the deadly Devgan are not to be missed, while hiding in a grotto from PWG terrorists. The scene where she removes her wet blouse to change into something dry propels her up there in the ranks of Madhuri and Dimple. Priyanka Chopra, watch out!

Tango Charlie is the next ''Sholay''. Naah, no way is it doing a platinum jubilee but it may well give us the next Amjad Khan. Kelly Dorjie is the surprise gift in this box of goodies. The menacing eyes and contented smile of this model-turned-actor haunt our dreams for many nights afterwards.

With absolutely no line of dialogue and no time to develop his character, Dorjie has a daunting challenge to leave an impact. That he does, with a mesmerising body language and subtle expressions that clearly display the ability and intelligence of his character. He is the quintessential Mowgli; an Olympian athelete; a teenage role model.

That he happens to be a villain is a matter of circumstances. He is merely a freedom fighter and should they win, history would treat him like her hero. Seeing the fluid movements of the guerrilla slither through the jungle, it is hard to believe this is his debut film!

In the vein of Danny Denzongpa and Prem Chopra, Hindi cinema has found another villain that reeks of evil from every pore. No menacing scowls, no loud threats. It is what he doesnt do that brings on the creepy crawlies. Hopefully, they will find stories that dont keep him swinging from trees in every movie. Will Bollywood outgrow its stereotyping fetish, at last

Tango Charlie reminds one of numerous Hollywood movies on war. I feel that comparison is unfair. A better comparison would be to Border, Gadar, Dev, Lakshya and Army (kidding!). In that, Tango Charlie scores on two fronts:

I It avoids jingoistic rhetoric against the usual suspects. They make a point about external threat, proxy wars, arms support to militants and young boys and girls being brainwashed into militancy. But it is done in a matter-of-fact way, a part of life that we cannot wish away so we must tackle in whatever way possible. That is a welcome relief from the masala potboilers being churned out in the name of patriotism lately.

II An episodic approach makes the dose of violence much more palatable. It keeps the excitement running, without losing us in a maze of plots and subplots. The underlying message is clearno one wants a war that has no purpose. Yet, Indian forces are forced to die daily and kill other Indians, fighting battles in villages, on streets, in community festivals and in bandobast duties. Jallianwala Bagh is casually recreated everytime someone places a chappal garland around some stone-idol. This is not martyrdom. This is not patriotism.

In my opinion, Tango Charlie is a film about patriotism, nationalism and the futility of it all. Yes, there is a messagea strong one. But I dont think anyone's gonna declare it Tax Free anytime soon. Tango Charlie scores because it is pure entertainmentHollywood style!