Leaves you moved, and speechless all at the same

Rating: 9/10 (24 February 2012)

"I always believed there were two kinds of men in this world, men who go to their deaths screaming and men who went to their deaths in silence. Then I met the third kind..." Those were the first few lines of Rang De Basanti, which is more than just a movie to me. It's a wake up call for anyone who witnesses injustice and just watches. For anyone who wants a change. Ultimately, Rang De Basanti scores due to its innovation. The film does not shy away from being unconventional. Rang De Basanto is a treat to all who love great cinema and to everyone who loves their country.
Sue, a documentary filmmaker from England wants to tell the story of Bhagat Singh and his fellow revolutionaries. Despite opposing views by her bosses, she goes to India to make the movie. The story of these men is important to Sue because she read it thru her grandfather's words from his diary. Her grandfather, who was a jailer during that era, had very strong opinions of these boys. Sue reaches India and sees her characters through a young group, and then begins a journey, an awakening.
Rakesh Mehra grips you just from the first reel where you see Bhagat Singh's execution about to take place. From beginning to end, one thoroughly enjoys the flick.
Rang De Basanti's plot is not really what makes it work. It's the characters the viewer understands, loves and in the end leaves the theater with. It may be an ambitious Sue, the lovable D.J., the intense Karan, the crazy Sukhi or even a character like Pandey who one starts out hating and ends up loving.
The moments are also another thing one leaves with them. The talk about corruption etc is excellent and so real. We all talk about this in our everyday lives and can't help but agree with the talk. The characters are straight out of reality.
There are flaws here, like every movie. The second half does lose steam at times. The biggest problem people had with this movie was the climax, which I thought was also a drawback. I did not hate it but the film could have ended in a different way.
A.R. Rahman's music is first rate and comes at the right time. Thankfully, the songs do not interfere with the narrative here. And they're all brilliant here. Cinematography is international standards here.
The writing is good for the most part. The way the stories of the revolutionaries of the past and the present day group collide is brilliantly written. Dialogues are superb.
Rakesh Mehra's direction is flawless. It kills me to say this, but I don't think he'll make another film like this again.
Now to the performances...but before that, let me say that there is not a hero in this movie...besides the director. What I mean is that everyone's a character here and performed with amazing amount of competence.
Aamir khan lives his role here. Everything is perfect in his performance and one really doesn't expect anything less than that from this fab actor. He's terrific.
Sidhart is a revelation. Kunal Kapoor is first rate. Sharman is lovable. Soha plays her part right. The actress who plays the British filmmaker is outstanding. Kirron Kher is great. Waheeda Rahman is as always. The rest of the cast supports well.
One more performance I'd like to mention is that of Atul Kulkarni. He's just brilliant. The way his character changes, you see it but he does it so subtly and wonderfully. He's one underrated talent.
Overall - Rang De Basanti is not perfect, but I don't think there is a perfect film out there. However, it does force you to think and at the same times gives you a great time.