There are films which are remembered for its music. There are some films that have instances of fine performances. And then there is a third kind – like Rang De Basanti. It’s difficult to sum up anything about it. The performances were exquisite; the songs were magical; the storyline is the best in recent times. Then if there’s Aamir in a movie, there’s hardly anything that can go wrong with it (only if the movie is titled Mangal Pandey – The Rising or Mann).
Rang De Basanti presents a nice intersection of the mindset of the youth of 20th century British India and the present generation through 5 friends – D.J. (Aamir Khan), Karan (Siddharth making his debut in Hindi Cinema), Laxman (Atul Kulkarni), Sukhi (Sharman Joshi) and Aslam (Kunal Kapoor). Sue (Alice Patten) comes to India in search of actors for a movie which would be based on her grand dad’s experience in India as a British jailer. She starts to identify the characters of her film in the 5 friends with help from her friend Sonia (Soha Ali Khan Pataudi) whose also a student in the University. The film-making experience becomes more memorable when it helps the cast to recognise their true self and awakens them to do better things for their country. Madhavan (as Ajay in the movie) plays a small but pivotal role in the film as well. The movie, as a whole runs high on emotions and spirit and you’re left thinking in the end about the state of affairs in this country. The music of the film by Rahman is excellent and it’s difficult to single out a particular favorite number but I will vote for Rubaroo, penned wonderfully by Prasoon Joshi. It’s also played at a very crucial point in the movie and the lyrics hit you immediately. If you are free this weekend please watch Rang De Basanti at a theater near you.
I’m looking forward for this one eagerly! :D