Writer/Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Starring: Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi and Kunal Kapoor
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Aamir Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1990s, Khan has become an icon in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s stories of star-crossed lovers, political leaders or college students, Khan has created many memorable characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor is his bravery. Khan has never been afraid of tackling controversial subjects which are seldom talked about in India. Through his abilities to portray characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a legacy that is lasting. Despite reaching age of retirement, Khan has never lost his passion for producing entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a legendary figure in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong films that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and admire all the films he has made throughout his illustrious career. However, the most brave movie he has made in his career is “Rang De Basanti”. Released in 2006, Aamir Khan’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Indian movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Aamir Khan. In one of his finest roles, Khan portrays a college student which rebels against the corruption of the Indian government. Ultimately, what makes “Rang De Basanti” a masterpiece is its strong message. The film delivers a strong message about government corruption which will strike a chord with everyone. A mesmerizing Indian masterpiece about corruption of government, there are several strong reasons why “Rang De Basanti” is a movie that is definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
Set in modern-day India, “Rang De Basanti” tells the story of college students that rebel against government causing trauma. Aamir Khan plays Daljit Singh, a rebellious college student. Daljit has always shared a powerful friendship with his four classmates with share strong political views. When he is given the chance to star in a movie about government corruption, Dalji’s dreams come true. However, Dalji’s dreams are shattered following death of his close friend. Following his friend’s painful death, Dalji is heartbroken by the grim tragedy. Deciding that he should take a stand against the government, Dalji seeks vengeance for his friend’s death. As he endures a dilemma, Daljit questions whether he will ever find happiness in India.
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is a newcomer to themes of political revolution. Before he made “Rang De Basanti”, Mehra was well known for making movies about Indian politics. However, he had never produced a film about the lives of students. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers experienced by commemorated college students in India, but he succeeds immensely. Through spellbinding cinematography, Mehra captures journey of friends which bond against backdrop of political revolution. Mehra expertly uses montages to capture the strong bonds of college students that face political revolution. For instance, montages elevate the Paatshala musical sequence. During this powerful scene, DJ forms a strong bond with his friends amidst commemorated political revolution in India. Through montages, Mehra captures the intense hardships which college students in India go through. Montages are complicated techniques to use in movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” demonstrated clearly, montages elevate movies about lives of friends. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Mehra captures commemorated bonds between college students in Indian revolutions.
Another strong aspect of “Rang De Basanti” definitely worth praising is the production-design. The movie is extremely well made from a technical perspective. Mehra expertly stages musical sequences showcasing the hardship endured by college students rebelling against corrupt government. Mehra has always excelled using slow motion to stage powerful musical scenes, and “Rang De Basanti” is no exception. Mehra effectively uses slow-motion to convey intense hardships faced by college students rebelling against government. For instance, slow motion enhances the Luka Chuppi musical seqeunce. During this unforgettable scene, DJ develops strong bonds with his friends by taking stand against the government following the death of his friend. One admires slow-motion capturing the hardships faced by college students. Slow motion is a complicated technique to utilize in Bollywood films. As Farah Khan’s “Om Shanti Om” suggested, slow motion elevates satires about Bollywood. Nevertheless, it works really well in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is memorable. A.R. Rahman’s musical score is integral toward success of the film. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing burdens commemorated college students bear. Through extraordinary production-design, Mehra captures the lives of college students that decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Rang De Basanti” is a captivating Indian classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and deftly uses parallel storytelling capturing bonds between college students that become Indian revolutionaries. Mehra’s screenwriting strength is capturing hardship college students in India are facing through parallel storytelling. The film deftly switches back and forth among two distinct timelines: DJ’s present-day journey rebelling against a government with his friends and a fictional story about bold Indian revolutionaries. For instance, parallel storytelling elevates the film production scene. During this heartbreaking scene, DJ and his friends film an intense scene for their movie acting as Indian revolutionaries. Through an ingenious parallel structure, Mehra creates compelling characters audiences can easily relate to. Parallel storytelling is a tricky technique to use in Bollywood movies. Most Bollywood movies are often driven by a linear structure to avoid confusions. Fortunately, however, “Rang De Basanti” avoids these pitfalls. Through a strong screenplay, Mehra captures the hardships faced by individuals in India today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his greatest career performances as DJ. Khan achieved praise for portraying cricket players in Bollywood movies. With “Rang De Basanti”, however, he took upon his most serious role. It isn’t simple to portray a college student rebelling against the Indian government but he succeeded tremendously. It’s a role that gave the actor the opportunity to showcase his natural charisma as an icon in Bollywood Cinema. With riveting expressions, Khan captures the courage, desperation and resentment of a college student in India which rebels against his government. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most renowned actors in India today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Siddharth is superb, capturing the charisma of a college student whose decision to rebel against government causes trauma. Alice Patten is phenomenal, bringing wisdom to a British filmmaker which seeks to make a film about the revolution in India she grows to cherish. Lastly, Sharman Joshi merits appreciation. As a mischievous college student, he brings tensions towards the movie.
Finally, “Rang De Basanti” earns recognition of everyone capturing corruptions of government in Indian countries. Unlike most Indian movies, the film tackles universal themes everyone will relate to. The film discusses strong themes of identity, terrorism and revolution which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be Indian in identity to appreciate the film. The film delivers a strong message about dangers of government corruption which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Rang De Basanti” is one of those rare Bollywood movies everyone will adore.
Fans of Aamir Khan will definitely appreciate “Rang De Basanti” and so will movie-goers seeking intense entertainment. A captivating Indian classic, it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy has proven to be iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about rebellious college students seeking freedom taking a stand rebelling against governments that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor that has gained a huge following earning global recognition for his abilities to tackle controversial subjects that are appealing whose memorable movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 