Droh Kaal

"Droh Kaal" is by far another finest film ever made in Indian Parallel cinema. Its another Hard-Hitting Drama from Master Director Govind Nihalani.

To bring out a Script with thorough Practicality & Real-Life Approach of Rift between Police & Terrorits becomes very difficult task and possibly one may land up being conventional main stream cinema. This is not the case with this Film. May be Ardh Satya (earlier Nihalani's work) & Droh Kaal are the only Realistic Hardcore Police Stories ever told.

The Film is utmost Gripping & bears Hair Raising Moments. The Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhay Singh, played by Om Puri sends in "under-cover" squad amongst a terrorist group to reveal their complete conglomerate activities. The Top Secret operation is only known to him & his Colleague DCP Abbas Lodhi. Amongst the five terrorist groups, one of the group's commander, Bhadra played by Ashish Vidyarthi, gets caught and is in Police Custody. Even staying within the Custody the terrorist commander controls his terrorist force to threaten the DCP and plan an escapade. He is also aggravated by these Police officers' constant attempt to hamper their various activities. On his aggression, Commander Bhadra threatens DCP Abhay Singh by keeping his family on his target. The DCP had no option than just to work hand-in-hand with the Terrorist Group. He is forced to Shelter two terrorist in his home staying along his family. He is asked to provide all vital informations of Police operations. His Colleague, DCP Abbas Lodhi gets killed. Finally the film turns sharp in the end where there's an Opportunity, the DCP can get to destroy the enemies.

The Best thing in a Govind Nihalani Film, is conversations. He is the master of creating Hardcore Drama by vibrant human ideologies exhibited in true sense through perfectly-written Dialogues. The conversation between DCP Abhay Singh & Commander Bhadra in Interrogation Room & in Jungle are brilliant.

The End Part of the Film is as Gripping & Hair Raising like the end scene in "The Silence of the Lambs".

Naseeruddin Shah as DCP Lodhi is also fantastic. Finally the Film again belongs to Om Puri, who delivers a controlled & powerful performance.

Govind Nihalani casts his favourite actor Om Puri again, this time with Naseeruddin Shah, Ila Arun, Mita Vashisht and Ashish Vidyarti. Nihalani has earned a reputation of making hard-hitting raw films depicting that darkness of middle-class society that is weaved from corruption, chaos and crime. His 'Ardh Satya' was definitely notable and 'Thakshak' and 'Hazaar Chaurasi ki Maa' were quite decent and 'Dev' highlighted Om Puri's performance. Puri has done some of his best works in Nihalani's films and 'Droh Kaal' is no exception.

However, as a film, it's among the director's weakest. The writing is very poor and some of the plotpoints are quite ridiculous. Not only is the script full of plot holes, but the pacing is extremely slow. Things only get a tad better in the second half as the pace picks up and there is an attempt to build suspense. At times, quite frequently, it gets preachy. It tries to make some political point but that's all lost in the writing. I was also surprised by the flat cinematography (considering that Nihalani is also a well-reputed cinematographer).

What stands out are the performances. Puri is brilliantly supported by Mita Vashisht. Naseeruddin Shah and Manoj Bajpai are wasted. Ila Arun does well in a brief role. Ashish Vidyarti is passable.

Overall, 'Droh Kaal' is a major disappointment. It doesn't have anything new to offer. It's lacking in both style and substance.

Droh Kal was undoubtedly ahead of its time. Released in 1994, it emerged during an era when terrorism was beginning to show its brutal face, peaking in 1996. The Tamil remake, 'Kuruthipunal,' featuring Kamal Hassan, is equally compelling. While the climax may not appeal to everyone, this is one film that truly deserves a sequel. Though some scenes might seem exaggerated, however the storyline is captivating and keeps you engrossed throughout. Most of the movie being churned out these days tend show a one sided affair with the hero having an upper hand through out the movie. Interestingly, A R Rehman was supposed to compose for the film but his computer crashed losing his work.

Droh Kaal (1994) : Brief Review -

Droh Kaal was almost a blunder while making a realistic Cop Drama but thankfully Intelligent Climax saved it, rather, made it overwhelming. Riveting suspense thriller about a dedicated cop who leads an under-cover squad against a group of terrorists. He manages to capture their leader, but finds himself and his family mentally and physically manipulated by the wily terrorist and his followers. He joins the evil side to lose his best friend and then takes revenge after realising his mistakes. An outdated story from 60s masala films but wait, there is more to it in the climax which no other Cop drama has managed to do in Bollywood. Droh Kaal examines the mental and psychological trauma that honest police officers go through in their fight against a group of ruthless terrorists. But while doing so, it goes with the characters. A honest and smart cop is threatened by a Terrorist and gives up so easily? Hadn't we seen better during 60s and 70s when the same cop would sacrifice his family for his duty? Then how the hell someone tried to make an entire film with this senseless thought? I might have even accepted his mental state if was an ordinary cop or constable but someone of high Calibre looking so helpless was not at all acceptable. Thankfully, the climax plays the best trick to bring together revenge and redemption at the same time and the film looks fine, very fine. Droh Kaal is very realistic film and it's very slow too. 170 minutes without songs.. I even had a nap for 5 mins during the watch. Govind Nihlani has made a real-toned and intense Crime drama that becomes even more watchable because of brilliant performances of Om Puri, Naseerudin Shah, Ashish Vidyarthi, Milind Gunaji and Mita Vashishth. The entire acting unit has lifted the film. Overall, very good attempt but has its shortcomings.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

One of the best given the topic 'Terrorism'. Remember, this movie was made in 1994, much before 9/11 and yet, one can see the similarities between 9/11 plot and this movie. For example, 9/11 hijackers hid among us, just as the terrorists in this movie wore the mask of a common man. 9/11 hijackers were known to be soft spoken and polite, yet extremely secretive. Same with the terrorists in this movie. Anyway, everything from the plot to characters were excellent. Even the music (by Jaidev) is extraordinary. Only the far-fetched bravado by Abhay Singh (Om Puri) seemed unreal, but then, it takes extraordinary courage and deeds to counter the 'cancer' of terrorism. In that respect, Abhay Singh's bravado also seems appropriate. As usual, Naseer puts the 'sher' in the character of Abbas Lodhi.

I remember, I was in Bombay during the film festival in Dec. 1994. This powerful movie made me cry and repeat it the very next day. Thanks to Govind Nihalani, who personally let me in his special movie, I could enjoy to the full. No wonder I am his fan and Thank you Govind!

If you are a Govind Nihalani or a Naseer or an Om Puri or a Amrish Puri fan, this movie is a MUST SEE.