Nayak (2001)
Melodramatic
performances, exaggerated scene construction, ridiculous,
out-of-place romance and other such misgivings aside, this S Shankar
film had an honest soul. Narrating the glorious story of a common man
at the helm of power, the film journey's through the predicaments in
the personal life of the man who puts his country before himself.
Highlighting the point that power never corrupts, but when vested in
the hands of corrupt people, gets corrupted; Nayak is a film
that inspires you to lead and fulfill your duty towards your country,
regardless of how direct and in-your-face the message may appear.
Gulaal (2009)
Love. Power. Revolution.
This Anurag Kashyap film is a deep comment on many aspects of
society, law, history and human relationships. Set in Rajasthan
around the Rajputana movement, the film decodes regional politics,
which have always been a divisive factor for our country. The noir
treatment builds a dark image of a nation that is boiling under the
skin and emphasizes the intractable pursuit of power. With black
satire oozing through songs like Ranaji and a new-age
rendition of Sahir Ludhianvi's Duniya by Piyush Mishra, the
film is a visual manifestation of the thoughts of a cynical poet.
Yuva (2004)
India is a young country
and it is today's youth that will drive the country forward. But is
there just one Young India? Mani Ratnam brings the answer in a
seemingly complex narrative and puts it forth in the simplest
manners. Through its principle characters Michael Mukherjee, Lallan
and Arjun; Yuva shows the face of the youth and categorises
them into three types - the progressive, proactive reformist; the
wishful, romantic escapist and the rigid feudalist. And after the
three stands are displayed, the film intertwines the destinies of
these characters, such that they project the image of the country as
a whole. With elections and the dark side of power going
head-to-head, Mani Ratnam's Yuva is an inspirational drama.
Welcome To Sajjanpur (2008)
From the minds of one of
India's finest filmmakers, comes a gem of a film that represents the
country to its fullest. Shyam Benegal, through Welcome To
Sajjanpur, throws light on innumerable issues of a young country
- right from urban aspirations to social inequality, and from
oppression to a sense of freedom. The song Aadmi Azaad Hai
underlines how the film believes in the might of democracy and with
bouts of satire that go hand-in-hand with Munni Bai's character (a
eunuch who is a mass leader), the film is a subtle encyclopedia which
tells you a lot about India.
Peepli (Live) (2010)
Over time, there have
been many films that address the issues in our legislative, executive
and judiciary sectors; there have been very few films that focus on
the fourth pillar of our democracy. Anusha Rizvi, in her film which
focuses on the state of the news media and comments on the
desensitization of the society, also shows the might of the pen.
Through its light-hearted narrative, the film exposes certain
elements of life in rural India. And while the film is an out-and-out
satire, which means that the humour is fundamentally a polite pinch;
as a whole, the film represents the hope that resides within every
struggling Indian. From Mehengai Dayan to Des Mera, the film captures
the essence of India - "Jeb kalandar, dil hai samandar"
Published in DNA After Hrs (Pune) on January 26, 2013
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