Rang De Basanti
Hi all,
I just watched Rang De Basanti at the Naz8 in Fremont, California! Wow! What a movie! It's actually unjust to call it a movie, it is actually a revelation, an awakening of a generation (as the movie's own catch-line goes). In the first half, me and the audience laughed at the witty humor, identifying with the out-of-college characters. The second half is soul-stirring to say the least! It wakes you up with a jolt. It actually challenges you to do something for the motherland. With this, it questions your identity, your self-existence. I had a similar feeling after watching Swades too, but not at this vigorous level. Also, RDB used characters and subtlety to convey the message, rather than Swades' long and preachy scenes.
As far as direction goes, Rakeysh Mehra is fully successful in accomplishing the mission that he set out on: to awaken today's generation with a blast! The boys' brave efforts in the movie were met with clapped hands and loud applauses. The roar carried on till the very end! The amalgamation of present with the sepia-colored shots of the past showing the freedom fighters is a class act of screenplay and it works! As a movie, this was an astounding and overwhelming cinematic experience for me. Aamir Khan and others' acting, cinematography, tight editing, beautiful locales of north India..............all are top-notch! This movie is ready to sweep the major 2006 awards. It deserves a national award and should get entertainment tax-break. Some of the hard-hitting dialogues: "Yeh system ko badal ne jao, toh system tumhe hi badal deta hai", "ek paav past mein, ek paav future mein, isi liye hum apne present par moot rahe hain” (one leg is on the past, one on future, that’s why we are pissing on our present).
It really questions: Are we, in practicality, a democratic, secular and sovereign republic? If yes, then why did the shameful Babri Masjid demolition happen? Why did the Operation Bluestar happen attacking the Golden Temple? Why did the October 1984 riots happen right in the heart of the Indian capital against the Sikhs (I still remember clearly that childhood fear of getting killed any moment deep inside me)? Why did the Gujarat riots happen? Why did so many students have to get beaten and arrested by police in peaceful demonstrations against the Mandal commission report and some even had to immolate themselves? Why do we have SC/ST/sports reservations if we believe in 'equality for all' (incentives such as reservations never bring up a sect, rather they further impair it by recognizing under-performance!)? WHY............? The truth of the matter is that even after decades of so-called 'independence', we are still slaves: salves to corrupt politicians, slaves to poverty, illiteracy and population explosion, slaves to sluggish rotten mindsets, slavery, and above all, slaves to our own selfish motives....
Sikh Guru Sri Gobind Singh Ji had said:
'Anakh Naal Jina Hai, Anakh Naal Marna Hai
Na Zulm Karna Hai, Na Zulm Sahna Hai'
I think this movie reignites that flame!
So, what can we do for India even while living in the US:
-Participate in the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and India Today Conclave, and put forth our views to change the system.
-Visit India at least once a year and donate generously: go buy clothes, food and books for the poor and distribute yourself. It won't even cost 1/10th of your airline ticket cost!
-Support clean-up activities, be it at any level. MCD demolishing the illegal construction in Delhi is a latest example.
-Sponsor a child's education in India.
-Help Guild of Service, an organization that strives to improve the plight of socially-discarded widows in India.
-Join politics. If we don't like any of the existing political parties, then let's form one of our own, like what 5 IIT students did by forming Lok Paritran. You have to be IN the system to change the system!
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-Sanjit Singh Dang, California, Jan 29, 2005.
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Reviews:
Rediff: Rang De Basanti: Young and restless
Indiatimes: An Open Letter to Aamir Khan
A generation awakens: A 20-something's viewpoint
A Blog site: Inquilab Zindabad - Well, The rebel has arrived!!!
What does the Public say:
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Visit my other sites: aamir-khan.com and fanaahthefilm.com