Director: Aziz Mirza
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Paresh Rawal
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his rise toward recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangsters or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to the theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood the test of time as a great icon in Indian Cinema. Despite reaching the ages of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies he has created in his career. However, “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” stands out as being his most underrated work. Released back in 2000, Aziz Mirza’s movie offered a powerful portrayal of journalism in India. Packed with breathtaking production design, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made on journalism. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Shah Rukh Khan, playing a journalist experiencing news media tension. Although “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” is a riveting journalism drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from uneven pacing that tests viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it provides exhilarating entertainment which will satisfy fans of SRK.
“Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” tells a story of Hindustani news reporters that experience adversity. Shah Rukh Khan embodies Ajay Bakshi, a dedicated news reporter that has strong devotion to uncovering the truth on TV. Accompanied by partner Ria Bannerjee (Juhi Chawla), Ajay has often done his best to cover news in India. However, Ajay’s life is forever changed when he sets out to prove the innocence of a man wrongfully accused of murder. Faced with a dilemma, Ajay soon questions whether it will be possible for him to uncover news in India. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Ajay questions if he has what it takes to become a successful news reporter.
Aziz Mirza is fascinated with the themes of politics in India. A legendary Indian director, Mirza has often made engaging films about political leaders under pressure. His award-winning film “Yes Boss” offered a powerful portrait of political figures engaging in fights without a strong boss. With “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani”, however, Mirza created his first ever political drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the struggles faced by journalisms in India publishing stories but he succeeded. Using bold cinematography, Mirza captures a journalist upon a journey to find his identity. Evoking Alan J. Pakula’s “All the President’s Men”, Mirza successfully uses montages to capture tensions faced by journalists. For instance, montages enhance the journalism board meeting scene. During this heartfelt scene, Ajay has a meeting with members of board in his corporation. Using stunning montages, Mirza creates a portrait of journalism that’s engaging. Montages are tricky techniques. As Nikhil Advani’s “Kal Ho Naa Ho” suggested, montages elevate films about terminal illness. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Mirz captures tensions journalists in India are facing.
Another powerful aspect of “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it is one of the best Bollywood movies you will ever see. Mirza expertly uses cross-cutting to stage music sequences about journalism. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the “I’m The Best” scene. During this engaging scene, Ajay delivers a memorable song that expresses his views on journalism. Through cross-cutting, Mirza creates a portrait of a news reporter that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing burden that journalists bear. Using bold production, Mirza captures journalists which experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” is a Bollywood movie about journalism which is captivating. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture hardship journalists experience. Emulating Michael Mann’s “The Insider”, Mirza uses silence to capture lives of journalists under pressure. For instance, silence elevates the political murder scene. During this heartfelt scene, Ajay discovers the shocking death of a renowned politician that causes tension. Through silence, Mirza creates a portrayal of journalists audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” proved, silence enhances Bollywood movies about doomed love. Nevertheless, it excels in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Mirza captures tension of journalists which face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his finest performances as Ajay. Khan first achieved appreciation playing heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Phir Bhi Dil Hain Hindustani”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a journalist seeking protecting a country but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most underrated role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentment of a news reporter that faces hardships. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the finest actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is manly a strong showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is also astonishing and worthy of appreciation. Juhi Chawla is fantastic, bringing charisma to a female news reporter seeking to resolve crimes in India. Johnny Lever is spectacular, capturing charismatic nature of a newsman that is under pressure. Lastly, Paresh Rawal is phenomenal. As a famous politician, he is unforgettable.
Although “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” is an important engaging Bollywood drama, it isn’t a truly flawless film. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks strong pacing. Mirza’s decisions to integrate bold subplots about politicians into the movie is admirable but doesn’t succeed. Due to this faulty technique, scenes focusing on lives of politicians aren’t as engaging as Mirza’s life as a journalist. Therefore, “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” is one of those Bollywood films not everyone would adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Shah Rukh Khan will definitely enjoy “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” and so would audiences seeking engaging entertainment. A riveting Indian political drama, it honours a legendary actor with charisma in India.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about the struggles faced by news reporters seeking tension, it’s a spectacular reminder about an impressive actor that has made iconic movies which are absolutely worth of an appreciation.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 