Writer/Director: Kamal Haaasan
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kamal Haasan and Rani Mukerji
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his 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, “Hey Ram” definitely stands out as being his most thought-provoking movie. Released in 2000, Kamal Haasan’s movie offered an engaging portrait of Partition. Packed with captivating production, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s an engaging Bollywood historical masterpiece. At the centre of it all stands an extraordinary performance from Shah Rukh Khan, who embodies a religious leader that faces tension. Ultimately, what makes “Hey Ram” a timeless classic is universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Indian history to admire it. A breathtaking Bollywood historical masterpiece, there are many strong reasons why “Hey Ram” is a film worth watching.
Set in 1940’s Calcutta, “Hey Ram” tells the story of a vengeful man that plots a secret assassination in India. Kamal Hassan plays Saket Ram, an idealistic man that espouses strong views about his country. Ram shares a powerful bond with his wife Aparna (Rani Mukerji), whom he has always loved dearly. However, Ram’s life forever changes when his wife is killed in riots which cause danger. In a thirst for vengeance, Ram embarks on a journey to find the perpetrators behind the violence. Assisted by his companion Amjad Ali Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), Ram strives to find vengeance for his wife’s murder. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Ram is forced to wonder whether he can avenge his wife’s murder.
Kamal Haasan is a newcomer to the stories of Indian revolutionaries. Before he created “Hey Ram”, Haasan had never made a film about Indian revolutionaries before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the hardships faced by Indian revolutionaries in history but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Haasan captures a revolutionary embarking on a journey to find his identity. Evoking Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi”, Haasan effectively uses montages to capture revolutionaries seeking success in Indian history. For instance, the montages elevate the murder scene. During this tense scene, Ram faces tension when he uncovers his wife’s shocking murder. Using montages, Haasan creates a portrait of revolutionaries that’s engaging. Montages are complicated. As Karan Johar’s “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” did prove clearly, montages enhance Bollywood movies about college. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using captivating visuals, Haasan conveys tension that revolutionaries are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Hey Ram” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Indian movies you will ever see. Emulating Deepa Mehta’s “Earth”, Haasan effectively uses costumes to capture individuals that experience tension in Partition. Throughout the movie, Ram’s costumes showcase his transformations into a political leader. For instance, costumes elevate the war scene. During this intense scene, Ram engages in a tense war during a time period of Partition. Through breathtaking costumes, Haasan creates a portrayal of partition that’s truly engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the heavy burdens revolutionaries bear. Using bold production, Haasan captures the lives of revolutionaries in a war-torn nation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Hey Ram” is an Indian movie about wars that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and expertly uses silence to convey the hardships that political revolutionaries experience. For instance, silence enhances the revolutionary violence scene. During this heartfelt scene, Ram experiences tensions following the painful aftermath of violence. Through silence, Haasan creates a portrait of revolutionaries that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Nikhil Advani’s “Kal Ho Naa Ho” suggested, silence enhances films about terminal illness. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a fantastic screenplay, Haasan conveys revolutionaries facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his finest performances as Amjad Ali Khan. Khan earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Hey Ram”, however, Khan took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a political revolutionary in Indian history but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him: engaging, charismatic and unforgettable in his most layered role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of an Indian revolutionary leader facing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in Bollywood today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of appreciations. Kamal Haasan is captivating, capturing the authority of an Indian revolutionary leader on a journey to find his identity. Rani Mukerji is remarkable, bringing empathy towards a woman that becomes victim of a gruesome tragedy. Lastly, Om Puri is outstanding. As an elderly Indian political leader, he is truly unforgettable.
Finally, “Hey Ram” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing Partition. Unlike most movies about Indian history, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including mental health, rebellion and war that will resonate among everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian history to appreciate it. Therefore, “Hey Ram” is one of those rare Bollywood movies which everyone would absolutely adore.
Fans of Shah Rukh Khan will absolutely love “Hey Ram” and so would audiences which seek meaningful entertainment. A riveting Indian historical drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a revolutionary embarking upon a journey to find his identity, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has built an enduring legacy through his abilities to play colourful characters in memorable movies audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 