Rang De Basanti..

This is the famous historical rhetoric used during the days of struggle of independence. These lines from history have worked magic with a generation of youth to sacrifice their YOUTH for the cause of the nation.In this story also it is used as a pointer to the way the plot of the movie unfolds.One of the very few movies that meant what their name suggests!!

I entered the movie hall with ZERO expectations..(except for the music cause I knew it was the master ARR at work!!)I should concede that I got more than my pennies worth. Let me talk about the specific of the movie that made an impression according to me!

<>Music(A major strong point.The songs were penned well and gelled really well with the flow of the story!)ARR the maestro has once again come out with genuine music that mixes well with the theme of the story.I always felt that this was the strength of ARRs music.He lives the movie while composing the tracks I suppose.ROOBAROO and LUKACUPPI are my favourites.The lyrics are excellent.

<>Locales and Camera...
I am kind of different with the way i review a movie.I'd like to concentrate a lot on the technical finnesse of the movie.The camera in the mvoie was very fresh and lent a new perspective for aspects like locales,lighting...!!Since the movie was mostly shot in outdoor locations that are in INDIA the lighting was pretty natural.The fort near the airport runway where the pals meet is a real kewl locale.(Remember the locale in DCH that caught the imagination of youth)Another locale is the fort where the junta meets and have a ball almost everyday.Nice place to have a drink and hit the waters :)

Cmon film-makers.There are wonderful locations unexplored in INDIA...GO and find them....
(Ask my friends who have returned with great snaps after their recent goa trip and they can direct you to the best locales in INDIA:))

<>Cinematography
Cinematography was impeccalble in the movie.The way the past and the present juxtaposed on one another offered a visual treat.I liked the technical finesse in the cinematography.Being a complex plot with switching between the past and present , the director had to mix both in the right proportions!!The director had the uncanny knack of using the correct amount of history and apt incidents to relate to the present.(Something like making a cup of good old filter coffee where the ingredients have to be mixed in the right quantities,to come out with a smokin brew!)

<>Characters
Soha Ali Khan and Alice Patterson were two really enchanting women in the movie.They have just been natural throughot the flickAamir Khan true to his reputation.Siddarth has improved and has portrayed a very difficult character.Madhavan was just the perfect choice for the role.
The character "ASLAM KHAN" in the movie was the character that was close to my heart as I could relate to it.The movie also had a load of other strong areas like choreography, catchy/uncomplicated narration(screenplay) and a movie that could classified as a family entertainer.(Surprisingly a hindi flick without any skin show!!)

All in all a treat for the viewers.The film that would atleast revolutionise the style of hindi film making. But then a few questions came up in mind after I came out of the movie hall:

1. Would present day youth (including me!!) ever be able to relate to our history??
2. How can one compare any present event to Jallianwala bagh??
3. How can a bunch of aimless,careless youth (who are hardly studying) make a sudden transformation based on characters they play??
4. Can the youth of India clean up Indian politics??Are we mentally ready for the concept of sacrifice??
5. How many people would be able to relate to the true spirit of the movie??
6.Is MIG such a dangerous piece of equipment after all??

Well though I have asked these questions I completely appreciate the movie..!
The movie portrayed the present state of the youth who hardly know their great history.Songs like "Sarfarosh ki tamanah" are hardly known and during the passage of time in independence we have forgotten our heroes...!!(One of my friend was surprised when I was humming the song along with the movie!).The movie also rides another point home.Audience do like meaningful movies and the notion that only skin sells that the film-makers have is incorrect.Hope atleast we get more meaningful movies after Rang De Basanti's success....!