Nayak: The Real Hero

What impressed me most about the movie is the tightness of the script. Events unfold one after the other. Neither too fast, nor too slow. Keeps you gripped. The events are coherent. Something you rarely see in Indian movies is people referring to events that have happened in the beginning of the movie. More often than not, the scripts are improvised on the sets and to maintain continuity the dialogues are abstract in nature so that the different parts gel in. To make a movie with cross references to subtle events needs you to have a script very firmly in place.

Second good thing about the movie was the experimentation with Visuals. Though at some points I felt that they have just indulged into special effects without the need for it (they should use effects only where needed), but honestly I was very impressed by the efforts taken to meet quality standards.

What has put off many people about the movie is the songs and dance and the unrealistic fights and some silly extremisms. Well the songs really don't have much bearing on the movie. And they have experimented with a very rustic style of entertainment which won't get wasted on everyone. As far as the fights and 'silly extremisms' go, I feel they tried to retain the HERO flavour which would really appeal to a large aspect of the masses.

The movie has very innovative ideas and also dares to be different - thougt most of that part should be attributed to its South Indian Counterpart.

I would say please go and see the movie. Its a nice experience. Appreciate it for its professionalism and technical expertise. Appreciate it for amazing dialogues and great performances by Paresh Rawal and Anil Kapoor both. It is a thought provoking film - something I feel the movie really set out to be. So its purpose is served.

Nayak - The Real Movie. A Great movie. A thoughtful process.

Nayak has it all. It's no family drama with some crying trash thrown in. It's a thoughtful and a gripping story with exhilarating performances. Rahman's music is excellent. His typical Western Classical beats mixed with traditional Indian music with some Marathi influence. Picturization is brilliant especially in the song, Saiyaan. South Influence is not very imminent here unlike my friend who thinks it is, and believe me influence cannot make a movie good. It's the great story that grips the audience and Shankar's brilliance. I urge Shankar to make more movies or Hindi directors to remake some of his movies so we don't have to tolerate Aditya Chopra trash anymore.

Tone, Script & Story: The movie is how a press reporter is challenged to be a C.M for one day and continues to be in the long run as well. The tone of corrupt by many official's as well as being an ideal social servant by other few official's is portrayed well. The script is tight and it keeps you in your seat till end.

It is sad how on thebasis of factors like caste, category and formed groups, formulate such violence. People belonging to such faction possess low I.Q and thus formulate violence even without knowing whole truth. It's a shame, that they can't act wisely.

Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography: Direction of S. Shankar is good. Screenplay and cinematography is good as well, except for the part where I dint like animated serpents. Music: Music is good too. Acting: Acting from all leads is good as well.

Final Verdict: Well addressed thriller on being a true social servant. Worth adding to your collection.

Amazing movie!! Good reflection of Indian politics

After achieving fair amount of success dubbing his Tamil blockbusters - Kadhalan (1994) and Indian (1996) - in Hindi (as Humse Hai Muqabla and Hindustani respectively), noted Tamil director S. Shankar decided to make his first Hindi film which would be an official remake of his Tamil hit called Mudhalvan (1999).

Anil Kapoor played the honest diligent TV reporter who gets to interview the corrupt chief minister (CM) Amrish Puri and attempts to expose his indifference which lead to State riots. In a knee jerk response, the CM offers his chair to the reporter for a day and Anil Kapoor ends up becoming the 'Ek Din Ka CM'.

The interview sequence is the films highlight and both, Anil Kapoor and Amrish Puri, are brilliant here. The economic as well as political measures Anil Kapoor takes on becoming the CM also makes for an interesting watch.

On the flipside, Rani Mukerjee's romantic track with Kapoor acts as a speed breaker to the narrative and even AR Rahman's score is not up to the mark.

Corruption has been Shankar's recurring theme right from Gentleman (1993) to Anniyan (2005). Nayak also deals with his pet topic and offers food for thought that we need to elect well educated and well intention candidates to power.

Despite being a box office failure, Nayak earned its due later on satellite television to emerge a cult classic. I had seen the film at Chitra cinema, Dadar on its first Sunday and still catch it whenever it comes on tv. Good and still relevant cinema!