Vaastav: The Reality

Vaastav has the Mumbai underworld as its backdrop. This subject has been dealt with before many times in Hindi films. But rarely is it handled properly. Satya is probably the best underworld film to come out Bollywood in recent years. Vaastav is not flawless like Satya, but it has a gripping storyline, good direction and characterizations, and most importantly - Sanjay Dutt.

This is probably the best role Sanjay Dutt has got his hands on since Khal-Nayak, and he takes full adavantage of it. Sanjay Dutt does an excellent job as the guy gone astray. He is as superb as the good-for-nothing lad in the initial reels as the dreaded man of the underworld in the latter ones. Namrata Shirodkar gets very limited scope and gives a fair performance. Shivaji Satam shines as Sanjay Dutt's father. Reema, as Sanjay's mother, also delivers a praiseworthy performance. Mohnish Bahl is wonderfully natural. Sanjay Narvekar , as Dedh-Phutiya, is mind-blowing. Here's a guy who is talent personified! Mohan Joshi is able. Paresh Rawal is likeably restrained. Ashish Vidyarthi gets less scope but does well. Depak Tijori leaves a mark. Usha Nadkarni is excellent. Ektaa, Himani Shivpuri, Jack Gaud, Achyut Potdar, Sunil Shencle, Ganesh Yadav, and Kashmira Shah (in a special appearance) lend average support.

The film is very well directed by the debutant Mahesh Manjrekar. Being his first film, he is excellent. Production values are not very high; anyway the film does not require pomp & showbiz, as it's so close to the ultimate truth. The film belongs to Sanjay Dutt all the way. Sanjay justifies the faith of his director and carries the film on his shoulders, ably supported by others. The only drawback of the film can be the songs, which are not so catchy. To sum it up Mahesh Manjrekar has a winner on his hand and Sanjay Dutt will get lots of accolades for this film.

A Silver Jubilee (25 weeks run) HIT. One of the Top Ten Hits of 1999.

Though almost everyone is just bragging about Sanjay Dutt's acting performance, the storyline itself made him important one. all actresses & actors did their role perfectly. beyond that, why it is mirror of the Reality ? That is important part of this movie. let it, Raghu's forced start in crime world to the ending words of wisdom through his Mother about 'having a choice' are grim reality unveiled by script. the direction was influencing in such a way that, it pushes us to really look for other side common people don't want to see. though it affects all. Also the way it approached issues of sex workers, sold out police at the same time vulnerable police in front of politicians. All in all a milestone in Indian cinemas. the ending was quite disturbing but sensible & insightful where mother herself shoots the son from all distress of being tired. Truly, Hats off.

Vaastav is probably the best movie ever created in Indian Cinema if not the best It should be in top 5 of every list . This movie proves that bollywood is not just about crappy "masala" movies, there is more than that in bollywood . Vaastav is the "Undisputed" king of gangster genre in bollywood .

Sure its not flawless but still the way the story moves , the direction , characterization , transition from scene to scene and most importantly Acting . Sanjay Dutt proves why he is one of the best "ACTORS" who stepped in bollywood and not many can claim that . This movie is definitely his best .

Watch this movie at least 3 times . 1st time for story, 2nd for Sanjay acting and 3rd for overall experience . Watch out for the last scene , one of the greatest scene in bollywood history . Sanjay dutt's facial expressions are enough to tell the story .

Direction could've been a little bit better because the movie gets a "bit(and that's a very small bit)" slow in some parts in the second half.

Ratings

Story 9.5/10 acting 10/10 direction 8.5/10 background score 9/10

Overall -- 9.8/ 10

verdict : if you haven't watched it, CLOSE THIS PAGE NOW and go buy a DVD, Watch it illegally on internet ;), borrow it from a friend but JUST WATCH IT .

This is in my Top 10 Bollywood Best Movies of all time. It is no doubt the Best Sanjay Dutt movie ever. Sanjay Dutt received BEST Actor award from Filfare, Zee and International Indian Awards. I remember when this movie first came out. I was told its a new Gangster movie and is a Big Hit in India. I did not expect much since Bollywood hasn't really made any realistic Gangster Movies (apart from Parinda) in the likes of Hollywood Classics (Scarface, Goodfellas, Godfather). Vaastav is easily among the best Hindi Gangster Movie, others include (Company, Hathyar). There have been Hindi Gangster Movies before, but all copy of Hollywood movies such as Aatish (A better tomorrow), Aatank hi aatank + Sarkar (Godfather), footpath (State of Grace) etc. Vaastav has its own storyline that suits with India life, Serious and Entertainment. Sanjay dutt gives a powerhouse performance of his career. Namrata Shirodkar looks quite sexy as the prostitute and wife of Raghu. I managed to get a few people into Bollywood because of this film. If you ain't seen it, then See it.

I am not exactly one of the millions of ardent Bollywood movie watchers, in fact i could quite possibly be categorized as an ardent hater of most Bolywood produced movies. Yet i found myself intrigued by this film in which Sanjay Dutt plays a most intriguing role. Sanjay Dutt is the anti-hero of this movie which rollicks through his early years and shows him to grow up a confused and very bitter human being. True to Bollywood style, it has it's fair share of "romance scenes" and the never ending songs, but the fairly original and interesting script, and some fairly decent acting by Dutt makes up for the rest of the movie's failings. I suggest you watch it at least once and judge it for yourself.