REMAKES are inherently risky .While one has an advantage in a proven storyline,excitement factor and pedigree,the monumental expectations to fulfil, inevitable comparisons with the original are easier said than achieved.Its easier and convenient to get INSPIRE from a certain movie and copy it to suit your sensibilities than officially Remake a film.
I never understood in the past when my Mother use to say that the Original Devdas or Parinita were better than their remakes, when in fact I liked both of them in contemporary form also. I was extremely anxious before watching the remake of DON and was certain that I won’t like it,but I liked it very much for its contemporary treatment, in spite of being a HUGE Amitabh fan. Come to think of it, I realized that all the above original movies were already proven classics before I watched them.Even DON was released in 1978, too early for me to watch it when it was released.Though I watched it in theatre, it was much much later,after I became a big FAN of AB.
It was much much different for AGNEEPATH.Here was a movie,which I had seen on the first day in a cinema hall,had followed it before and after release religiously, was sad about its box office collections , unhappy that Amitabh had to re-dub the movie to make it more marketable ,and had liked it immensely even before it became a cult film. A movie immortalized by Amitabh for the portrayal of Vijay Dinanath Chauhan ..Pura Naam, for the poem Agneepath, for its dialogues,for a classic duel between Vijay and Maa,Vijay and Commissioner Gaitonde.In short lot of emotions attached to it.
So I was not very sure if I really wanted to see the REMAKE. I was sure I won’t be able to watch it objectively, a little too prejudiced to enjoy.Had it not been Hritik in lead role,I would have definitely skipped it.After much deliberation I chose Sunday Morning Show,in the hope that I will not waste too much money if I really don’t like it.I had to let go of a0900hrs show as it was almost full and booked a 0930 show.This one was also full—a rare sight in multiplexes where there is a show every 30 min.
To start with Karan Johar cleverly declares on screen that it’s a TRIBUTE to Mukul Anand and Amit Uncle…. Leaving all doubts about remake to rest.A masterstroke I must say
What unfolds on screen for next 20 reels is a visual treat for the eyes.Technological advances in the film making in last 21 years resulting in stunning visuals, be it the beautiful landscaping of Diu, tight close-ups of Hritik capturing minutest of facial changes,songs of Priyanka and Katrina or Ganesh Aarti at Visarjan.Karan Malhotra, very cleverly and rightly has taken few liberties in storyline, so while there is no Krishnan Iyer M.A.,Tinu Anand to name some important characters from the original,there is Rishi Kapoor portraying Rauf Lala.What an amazing performance by an actor capable of romancing even a tree in his golden days.It will be extremely ironical but quite likely that he will be remembered for his portrayal of Rauf lala…such is the impact he has on the movie. He is lethal,unashamed, unapologetic in his cruel performance and still evokes sympathy from audiences.Many other changes in story are inspired from another cult Movie Parinda. So the element of surprise is missing in changes though they fit perfectly in the movie.Finally it all boils down to the treatment of the movie and acting of protagonists and villain.
Karan Malhotra has given a fresh treatment while keeping the SOUL of the original intact. No mean feat this.He is ably helped by cinematographer and his Asst.DOP.The background score heightens the drama perfectly throughout except at the climax when it’s a bit jarring.For some reason,the classic duel between Vijay n Maa and Vijay n Gaitonde is toned down a bit too much or eliminated altogether.While eliminating a love track of Shiksha And Iyer works very wel, Piggy Chops’ character doesn’t gel with the movie.Also fail to understand why Maa(zarina Wahab) is wearing a Taveez on the neck.
Sanjay Dutt as Kancha Cheena is extremely ineffective. Danny was extremely menacing even without a body that Sanju Baba has.What Sanju baba cannot achieve with his acting, he has tried to achieve by his ‘HARMON’ised,beefed up body but fails miserably.
Lastly,Hritik Roshan. We finally have found an Angry Young Man( its distinctly different from an action hero which we have aplenty) who can emote immense pain through his eyes, can deliver dialogues with panache,can be convincing when he flexes his muscles….Almost perfect.My respect keeps on growing for him after every movie….Lakshya, Jodha Akbar, Guzaarish, ZNMD and now this.He has very very few lines to deliver inspite of being a hero but still he is effective as Vijay. This one major weakness of not having catchy dialogues being compensated by good acting.
Ajay Atul’s music is inspirational and so is the background score.
Some unsolicited advice for the ladies of the film:
Priyanka---You need to start eating FOOD.When are you Ladies going to realize that size zero does not work with Indian Men. We like fuller women. Also, pouting lips are not for you. For god’s sake stop emoting/ dancing artificially..It shows.The smile doesn’t reach to the heart or eyes.
Katrina….Chikani Chameli required you to be Bindass but that hardly means thrusting your assets so vigourously.It will do you a lot of good to remember what Govinda use to say about his Dancing…. “I put in a lot of effort so that my dance looks Effortless”
Lastly,with all said and done ,both the producer and director has taken enough care to make it as a TRIBUTE instead of a Remake.They have not tried to ape Amitabh in any way steering completely clear of any comparisons.The characterization of Amitabh and Hritik is dissimilar in many ways.Hritik playing safe with not experimenting much with the role.Its more of a Son’s revenge of his Father’s murder and Less about Mandwa. One of the highlight of the Original,The Dharavi Sequence is missing,though the auction scene of Shiksha is comparable ,its not in same league.Probably both Karans conceding to the master of Mob scenes,Mr.Mukul Anand.
Had it been named something else, I would have enjoyed it more.
As for AGNEEPATH….I’m still completely bias towards the original….
देख क्या ये दृश्य है,चल रहा मनुष्य है ,
अश्रू ,श्वेत ,रक्त से लथ पथ,
अग्निपथ अग्निपथ अग्निपथ
No comments:
Post a Comment