Halla Bol Review

Gone are those days of cinema of moral anxiety Or cinema for society. Here is the last ray of hope, RAJKUMAR SANTHOSHI. No one can beat him at making good films with social issues. All of his films (except Andaaz Apna Apna-a comedy, Badal-love story) revolve around social concerns and mass-morals. (Remember he associated with Govind Nihalani and films like Arth Satya). Halla Bol is a great effort of Santhoshi passion for cinema and commitment for his believes. Halla Bol is Santhoshi's crusade, in both, content and making. "Halla Bol" belongs to the same unique hard-hitting gut-wrenching genre of cinema as Santoshi's Damini, Ghaatak, Lajja and Bhagath Singh. Its is a war-cry used to create an awakening.

PLOT
It is about the journey of a film star who lost his morals to attain stardom. Ironically he has to fight a battle at the stake of the same stardom. A small town god-fearing soul, a middle class, Ashfaque Khan (Ajay Devgan), acts in street plays to bring about social awakening and also chases his dream to become a film star. Siddhu (a decoit turned social worker-Pankaj Kapur) is his director & mentor while Sneha (Vidya Balan) is his love interest. He goes to Mumbai and after so much of struggle finally, he gets his first break in movies after sacrificing his one rule in life "not to lie". Sameer Khan, a star is born! His soul slowly becomes corrupt as he becomes more and more successful in life. He loses his humanity. It's exactly like the saying "The higher they rise, the harder they fall".

At one of the Page 3 parties, he witnesses the murder of Rashmi Sahni, an upcoming actress, One of the killers is the son of a politician and the other a liquor baron. Everyone keeps quiet as they let the culprits walk away. So does Sameer Khan. But The shock of witnessing the murder stirs his conscience to take a stand. He names the killers and is promptly targeted by the goons working for the the villains who are strong and powerful. Samir ends up losing almost everything he had - from career to family- as he fights for the cause. But when the administration as well as the Judiciary gives away, he resorts to the power of the people to give strength to his fight. And he goes back to his Halla Bol('raise your voice') troupe. The film forms this journey of Sameer Khan from reel-life hero to real-life hero.

PERFORMANCES SIDE
The film is the showcase of some brilliant performances by the lead cast Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan Pankaj Kapoor and Darshan Zariwala. Ajay portrayed the multi dimensional character and its transitions of a star-wanna be-to a much adored matinee idol to a conscience-ridden individual caught in the test of humanity. You've got to see his face where a media person grilling him. He conveys a lot through his expressions. Vidya plays Ajay's understated, simple and balanced wife with a distinct maturity. Her role is not meaty but worthy. The scene where Vidya shoots back, giving the media a fitting reply was noteworthy. But it is Pankaj Kapoor who steals the show with a charge, powerful performance as dacoit-turned-crusader. Sidhu character reminds late Safdar Hashmi, who was killed by political goons while trying to stage the street play "Halla Bol" in Delhi in 1989. Pankaj Kapur's lengthy outburst when Ajay lies in the hospital. Brilliant performance. Darshan Jariwala shows a distinct effort in getting into the skin of his character but miserably fails to scare or convince. Sometimes he tries acting funny and ends up looking like a clown. Anjan Srivastava manages to create an impact. Abhay Bhargava is efficient. Tusshar Kapoor's two-minute performance looks more convincing than most of his previous movies. The film has a lot of guest appearances, which include Jackie Shroff, Sridevi and Boney Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Neeraj Vora and Aarti Chhabria.

TECHNICAL SIDE
Cinematography is reasonably good. Editing saves the lengthy film from getting tedious as it crops scenes sharply enough to register and lingers only when necessary. To an extent it does save the crowd and combat scenes. Digital Intermediate by prime focus team appropriate. Music Directors Vanraj Bhatia and Sukhwinder did well in background score where as there is not much scope to do in songs. 'Na Guzre Huwe Pal' is a wonderful number, while the cry of war, the title track, is just ok.

CREATIVE SIDE
Many filmmakers entertain while Some educate. But a handful of celluloid visionaries do both. RajKumar Santoshi belongs to this rare breed of filmmakers. He's done it without losing the "cinematic" element in his cinema. "Halla Bol" is based on model-cum-host Jessica Lal murder case in New Delhi - 999. Santhoshi, who lost his touch from the past 5-6 years, came into form again. He succeeds in stirring and pricking your conscience. The dialogues are raw, powerful and meaningful. He pumped fresh blood into his scenes. The scene at the minister's opulent residence, when Ajay urinates on the carpet, is an outstanding sequence. And the scene where Ajay Devgan sends back Muslim leaders when they ask him to play the minority card was brilliant. When Abhay Bhargava trying to bribe Pankaj Kapur, his reaction was beyond great. Santhoshi must have gone through all most all possible means of reactions to find this reply which bear the stamp of a genius! Santhoshi depicted hero's rise to fame by climbing a staircase and similarly his fall as a star shown by him sitting at the bottom of the same stairwell. This shows the depth of his film direction. The film has some similarities with Satyajith Ray's "NAYAK" (The Hero). While Ray's Nayak dealt with a film star journey of self discovery while he is traveling with another individual, in a first class train compartment; Rajkumar Santoshi's film is more about the rise of the fallen.

ON THE NEGETIVE SIDE
The biggest question is why would India's biggest star chose the oldest art form of our country to create an awareness. The medium of street theatre is glorified and shown as a very powerful tool. The film employs tons of clichés and patched up scenes to tell it's story. The screenplay pattern was similar to Ghayal and Damini though the situations were different. Pankaj character reminds of Sunny Deol's in DAMINI. Little bit of trimming in the second half could increase the pace. Climax could've been more powerful. There is an inflow of too many emotions, thereby making it too filmy.

ANALYSIS:
Lagaan, Rang De Basnthi, Chak De India and the latest Tare Zameen Par! The common thread that bound most Bollywood blockbusters last years is different storyline that has a "strong" social message. This movie may not exactly set the cash registers ringing as the above films but has the power to grow with a strong word of mouth. The film is a mix of realistic art cinema and masala film. Nevertheless, it is a sincere attempt by Rakjumar Santoshi to convey a strong social message and definitely needs to be applauded.