Undoubtedly it is a sensitive issue and it would always require some guts to film this subject. Therefore Director Prakash Jha definitely delving on a solid burning issue rather than taking up an easy route full of silly romances, forced comic events and mindless action sequences. But the real question is- does this film serve that very purpose which it starts with ? This film surely does not fall in the same league as Filmmaker's previous successful attempts viz. Gangajal/ Apaharan & Rajneeti. The film is not centered or crafted around the subject of Reservation but just touches it on the surface. In second half, it is rather a good vs. evil common conflict i.e. fight between a Principled Professor against the present education system. On Plus side are a couple of scenes, few dialogs & a handful of performances that strengthen the film. Pre-interval film touches upon the sensitive topic but rather shyly, and instead of trying to find a balance between the two opposite ends it is tilted towards the Govt. Policy of Education based Reservation. If such was the intention, then it would also have showcased the solution to the problems of those who got affected due to implementation of Mandal Commission. Not every body is as lucky as the character of a Brahmin student shown in the film who got financial help from his mentor to pay for a donation seat. Anti-reservation sentiments should be given an equally strong voice rather than a weak voice like Prateik Babbar. The problem lies in the plot itself where issue has dealt in more one-sided way. If film- maker want to avoid a debate/ controversy by just stamping approval on Govt. policies then he should have chosen to make entire film on other related issues that this film later takes up without addressing the first cause viz. ill effects of growing Pvt coaching centers or reforms needed in current education system. But when one has to touch a political issue, leave apart taking a stand at least film should have a perspective, should have its own say and just not revolves around the same dispute, that everybody is aware of and just leave it at that. In all such matters the film comes across as a confused, half-hearted, half-baked product, which though brought the issue to forefront but leaves it without addressing it heads on. The very fact where protagonist Mr. Bachchan declares : " Grassroot level education par equality on education mein HUM fail ho gaye isliye aaj ye stand lena padh raha hai" come across as a statement from the mouth of a Govt. spokesperson. State clearly who are those "HUM" ? Who has given right to this "HUM" to create a mess out of an education system ? Anyway, all said and done this is more a pro-reservation film. The major part of this film is being shot on the erected sets and therefore production values remain tacky. A suppose to be "Tabela" looks more like a "Farmhouse" or "resort". Even the execution has its pitfalls : Too much unnecessary drama, too loud, noisy, over the top and too filmy. My overall verdict : Poor. Still wish to go for a relevant film.
If you really wish to watch a controversial issue based film which covers up a burning topic, addresses both sides, take a perspective, look for a resolution, plus a warning even on the after effects of resolution, then watch small,. non star cast, 1 hour film : Kya Main Qaafir Hoon? " (2009)directed by Sandhir Flora.
If you really wish to watch a controversial issue based film which covers up a burning topic, addresses both sides, take a perspective, look for a resolution, plus a warning even on the after effects of resolution, then watch small,. non star cast, 1 hour film : Kya Main Qaafir Hoon? " (2009)directed by Sandhir Flora.