Jai Ho! Democracy

Jai Ho! Democracy is an Indian satirical comedy co-directed by Ranjit Kapoor and Bikramjeet Singh Bhullar. The movie stars renowned thespians like Om Puri, Annu Kapoor, Seema Biswas, Adil Hussain and Satish Kaushik in pivotal roles. The central theme of the movie is the policy paralysis that the yesteryear Indian governments have been notorious for. Jai Ho! Democracy satirizes how the powers-that- be procrastinate things endlessly, choosing to play the fiddle while Rome burns to ashes. The movie also takes a dig at the media by highlighting its desperation to focus upon the trivial issues.

Jai Ho! Democracy is an attempt on the part of Ranjit Kapoor—the mastermind behind the cult classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983)—to recreate the old magic. Does he succeed? Well, the answer is Yes… and No. Yes, because he revisits the old motifs with the same honesty and precision. There are moments in the film that call for unbridled joy and laughter. There are some tender moments in there as well but the high humor quotient inevitably gets the better of them. No, because the sharp-tongued criticism, dark humor, and the ambiguously incriminating tone of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro remains unmatched.

Jai Ho! Democracy is a straightforward satire that takes a dig at the opportunistic politicians who lack the intent to act fact and according to the needs of the time in the best interest of the nation. All they are interested in is power and once they get hold of it, by hook or by crook, they are too reluctant to wield it for the benefit of their countrymen. They are masters at filibustering and often indulge in meaningless debates (both inside and outside the parliament) to cause unnecessary delays. For these political parasites, democracy is a sham. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi: "Democracy is a great institution and therefore it is liable to be greatly abused."

Media is often regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy. It is the duty of the media to act with great responsibility while dealing with issues of national importance. And yet we are witnessing an unprecedented rise in yellow journalism with the advent of 24/7 private news channels—there is a desperate urge in the electronic media to sensationalize trivial issues for the sake of TRP. In Jai Ho! Democracy, we see how an overzealous reporter blows a news of a minor standoff between the Indian and Pakistani soldiers along the LoC out of proportion, thereby dragging India and Pakistan on the brink of a war. And, viola, a high profile committee is set up to decide over the future course of action in retaliation to the aggression shown by the Pak army!

Overall, Jai Ho! Democracy serves as a great eye-opener, a relevant satire on the opportunistic politicians and the irresponsible media. And while it fails to pack a punch like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, it nonetheless succeeds in its attempt to unmask the shifty politicians and the manipulative media corroding our democratic setup. It also succeeds in delivering a message of love to the people on both sides of the border. Jai Ho! Democracy certainly lacks the razzmatazz of a typical masala film from Bollywood but it more than compensates for it with its honest criticism and relevant social message. The movie both entertains and offers ample food for thought. However, the casual viewers looking for pop-cornish entertainment are bound to nitpick in want of some pretty faces and escapism.

(This review was first published in at A Potpourri of Vestiges)

Keeping in mind the film's title, posters, promos and various quotations displayed in the beginning on the concept of Democracy, a viewer perfectly gets the message that this is sure going to be a good-intentioned, insightful satire mocking at the present political scenario of our country in a hilarious manner. However, what eventually turns out to be in the next 96 minutes is a mixed bag of theatrical show with many long sequences and loud, over the top performances coming from all reputed names.

As an enjoyable satire, JAI HO DEMOCRACY successfully manages to engage the viewer with an interesting comical start, when an Indian jawaan accidentally finds himself standing on a landmine hidden in the 'No man's land' between the borders of India and Pakistan. And the sequence straight away reminds you of the Bosnian language Oscar winner NO MAN's LAND (2001). The entertainment continues further when the focus shifts on 'a hen' wandering between the two borders with both the sides trying to catch her as a matter of 'national pride'. But here the insertion, once again is inspired from another similar classic short story from MANTO titled TETWAL KA KUTTA revolving around a stray dog moving between the borders of two neighbouring countries.

As the 'hen story' goes into the stretching mode, the engaging moments do not last for long and next we have a painfully lengthy sequence of a crucial political meeting being held within a closed room. And from here onwards one feels like watching a play instead of a film, with some pretty loud theatrical acts presented by the veterans, not delivering the content promised in the beginning. The over lengthy discussions keep killing the momentum badly and post intermission it even tends to become annoying, heading towards nothing great or innovative related with the core subject. But then the concluding moments with a fine 'Qawaali' by Wadaali brothers and some emotional outbursts at the borders, marginally save the film from being a completely avoidable venture or a forgettable dud.

Giving its fair due, JAI HO DEMOCRACY has got a few enjoyable moments to offer, but the film overall fails to make any solid impact trying to follow the entertaining path shown by the master film-maker Stanley Kubrick (when it comes to political satires), through his cult classic DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB released in 1964.

Directed by Ranjit Kapoor (with Bikramjeet Singh Bhullar) the man who wrote the dialogues of many known films like JAANE BHI DO YAARO, KHAMOSH, BANDIT QUEEN, LAJJA, HALLA BOL and more, the film is unable to deliver as per the expectations raised in the beginning due to some poor writing, hamming acts and laughable proceedings shown defying the simple logic. Interestingly Ranjit's first venture CHINTU JI (2009) was also a below average social satire made on a potential entertaining plot revolving around a small town and its people.

In its technical department, JHD does get some good support from its music composers (background score and one song) but its average cinematography; editing and unimpressive writing is not able to maintain the interest alive throughout. Admitting the fact that veterans such as Om Puri, Satish Kaushik, Seema Biswas, Adil Hussainand Aamir Bashir were all intentionally trying to portray the funny caricatures of some real life politicians, their respective acts still tend to become a bit loud and irritating too towards the end. Whereas Annu Kapoor emerges as a winner playing a south Indian Minister superbly along with Grusha Kapoor as the Home Minister and Mukesh Tiwarias the confused Army Officer at the border.

In all, JAI HO DEMOCRACY might be an engaging watch for a few interested in political satires in particular when its aired on one of television channels in the coming months. But for majority of viewers it's going to be a loud comedy that unfortunately gets caught in its own well-intentioned but over-ambitious trap of mocking at the present political scenario.