Raajneeti (2010)

Raajneeti (2010). 2h 43m | Not Rated

“Even if you do not know before going into the movie, it is evident in the first few minutes that the film draws heavily from the epic of Mahabharata. From the basic plot to the characters. Your palms will get sweaty a few times if you can relate to it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eRanbir Kapoor is our modern day Arjun u0026amp; Krishna woven into one. All characters in the movie have shades of gray and Ranbir is no exception. He is a strategist who is not afraid to go the bloody mile. Being a young actor in a multi starer can be tricky, but Ranbir does emerge on top, thereby setting the pace for more serious u0026amp; deeper roles in the future. Nana Patekar is so subtle u0026amp; understated that he takes the film forward effortlessly. No yelling, just shrewd smiles. Ajay Devgn proves yet again that he is past the stage where he needs screen time to justify his role. He easily enters into the skin of the modern day Karna, letting Manoj Bajpai as Duryodhan take center stage. And Bajpai, justifies every minute of his presence on screen. Arjun Rampal has his moments in the sun. Katrina impresses mainly through her improved Hindi. This is definitely not the role that she was hoping would get her a national award.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSubtlety is not a mark of Prakash Jhau0026#39;s cinema. From Gangajal to Apaharan to Raajneeti, all are in your face dramas. Raajneeti, if I may say, would be his most commercial outing in some time. We have very mainstream actors, a grand scale in the sheer number of crowds, bloody violence, cars going up in flames u0026amp; people killing each other left, right u0026amp; center.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eEven for its 3 hour run time, some scenes u0026amp; sequences do seem rushed in a bit. Nasserudin Shah has as much a presence in the film as he has on the posters. He is not in the film if you are five minutes late to the movie. All our political men are ultra virile u0026amp; the females- ultra fertile. There is also a needless club song. Then, there are car bombs u0026amp; a climactic gun battle that is a bit over the top just like all Prakash Jha films. It could have been kept tighter u0026amp; more believable.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBut that said, the film is a gripping tale with very intensely executed pieces and careful attention to detail. The basic premise remains that of the Mahabharata, but the film is not limited to that. It is fast paced and there is seldom a loose moment. It is not Jhau0026#39;s best work, not even close. But I am tempted to rate it highly for the power packed performances u0026amp; the gripping screenplay.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI say 3.5 on 5”