After being delayed few times, the timing of the release of this film couldn't have been more perfect, just two days before the Indian I-Day. Any Aamir Khan film is always looked fwd to and it becomes more vivid if he is appearing on celluloid after a gap of four years. Add to this, another name Ketan Mehta who is India's most critically acclaimed director. And to top all this, a historical subject of Mangal Pandey-the first crusader of the first war of Indian Independence.
Indian history has witnessed innumerable martyrs, whose names are easily forgotten or never mentioned. Such people's sacrifices needs more than just a mention in school's history books. Amongst many such names is the name of Mangal Pandey.
This is a film where fiction meets real story set in 1857 AD when 'Company Raj' dictated the fate of people in Indian subcontinent. In such times, a brave Sepoy Mangal Pandey in British army decides to go against those who invaded the land first and then slowly everything up to the souls of individuals.This is when the first mutiny arises and a new page is added in the history of both Indians & British.
Aamir Khan plays Mangal Pandey passionately with a complete conviction. His eyes, his skills, his overall persona go further to complement his onus as the most brilliant actor we've around. Toby Stephens excels as William Gordon who traverses the most difficult path where he finds himself constantly in tatters amid things like duty, friendship, loyalty and love, but he finds comfort in the company of Mangal Pandey who is a friend for life. Mangal and Gordon's love interests are pleasantly etched by Rani Mukherjee(Heera) and Ameesha Patel(Jwala), in-spite of being there only for 'attracting-audience/commerical-success' method. But such cinematic liberties are excusable if it helps to boost the film in anyway.
The film's attention to detail is immense and emerges visually very strong. A.R.Rahman's music doesn't seem to be his best or probably the oddity of songs' situation fails to create that musical impact, but 'Mangal Mangal' song is a spot-on to the theme and the central character. All the scenes between Aamir and Toby are a delight to watch. Toby doesn't fail to impress with his acting or his Hindi-speaking lines. Aamir's performance rises with every frame until he reaches the peak in the final courtroom scene where he surpasses all the perimeters of just being the finest actor around, but puts him clearly in a class of his own.
After Lagaan(very strong film) & Mangal Pandey, the Indian filmmakers should think of a more substantial subject to hold the global audience instead of only trying to capitalise on India before independence. This is not to take away anything from the independence movement, but we've come a long way from that phase and its time to show that, without having to cater only to very 'Bollywood' (song&dance, colorful & heavily designed clothing, overflowing emotions, huge sets) style loving audience. These factors can make or mar a film depending on how naturally they get absorbed in a film script.
While watching this film I deterred myself from any hype or expectations surrounding it, but still this ballad falls short of rhythmic compositions in totality. This rising only raises up to a likable and only-for-Aamir film mark, when it could and should've been much more.
Indian history has witnessed innumerable martyrs, whose names are easily forgotten or never mentioned. Such people's sacrifices needs more than just a mention in school's history books. Amongst many such names is the name of Mangal Pandey.
This is a film where fiction meets real story set in 1857 AD when 'Company Raj' dictated the fate of people in Indian subcontinent. In such times, a brave Sepoy Mangal Pandey in British army decides to go against those who invaded the land first and then slowly everything up to the souls of individuals.This is when the first mutiny arises and a new page is added in the history of both Indians & British.
Aamir Khan plays Mangal Pandey passionately with a complete conviction. His eyes, his skills, his overall persona go further to complement his onus as the most brilliant actor we've around. Toby Stephens excels as William Gordon who traverses the most difficult path where he finds himself constantly in tatters amid things like duty, friendship, loyalty and love, but he finds comfort in the company of Mangal Pandey who is a friend for life. Mangal and Gordon's love interests are pleasantly etched by Rani Mukherjee(Heera) and Ameesha Patel(Jwala), in-spite of being there only for 'attracting-audience/commerical-success' method. But such cinematic liberties are excusable if it helps to boost the film in anyway.
The film's attention to detail is immense and emerges visually very strong. A.R.Rahman's music doesn't seem to be his best or probably the oddity of songs' situation fails to create that musical impact, but 'Mangal Mangal' song is a spot-on to the theme and the central character. All the scenes between Aamir and Toby are a delight to watch. Toby doesn't fail to impress with his acting or his Hindi-speaking lines. Aamir's performance rises with every frame until he reaches the peak in the final courtroom scene where he surpasses all the perimeters of just being the finest actor around, but puts him clearly in a class of his own.
After Lagaan(very strong film) & Mangal Pandey, the Indian filmmakers should think of a more substantial subject to hold the global audience instead of only trying to capitalise on India before independence. This is not to take away anything from the independence movement, but we've come a long way from that phase and its time to show that, without having to cater only to very 'Bollywood' (song&dance, colorful & heavily designed clothing, overflowing emotions, huge sets) style loving audience. These factors can make or mar a film depending on how naturally they get absorbed in a film script.
While watching this film I deterred myself from any hype or expectations surrounding it, but still this ballad falls short of rhythmic compositions in totality. This rising only raises up to a likable and only-for-Aamir film mark, when it could and should've been much more.