Vaastav: The Reality

Im not your average bollywood fan, in fact quite the opposite, i despise most productions that come out of the Indian film industry. However, this movie is compelling from the first scene to the last, and although it has elements of the stereotypical bollywood film, the film itself illustrates a story that is gripping and intriguing. Sanjay Dutt takes the lead role of Raghunat Namdev Shivalkar, and fulfills it to a frighteningly captivating effect. Dutt who has had a life of controversy and turbulence himself, was perhaps best equipped to play this role like nobody else could. The film traces the life of a young, exuberant man, who is struggling to find direction in his life. The transformation from this depiction, to the character of 'Raghu Bhai' is achieved with pure brilliance, by both the script and performers. Essentially Vaastav is an intelligent movie, revealing the infamously corrupt nature of the Indian political system, as well as the functioning of society itself. These factors are shown to work simultaneously to create a character that is forever embedded in the history of Indian cinema. This is bollywood at its rare finest, and it will not fail in living up to the trademark of the movie itself 'The Reality'. Sanjay Dutt at his pure deadliest.

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.

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.

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 .

Vaastav review :

A film which brought the down and out Sanjay Dutt back in the reckoning; Vaastav was director Mahesh Manjrekar's first Hindi release and his most memorable movie till date. The film not only re-established Sanju Baba as a top actor but also joined the ranks of the finest underworld dramas made in Bollywood alongside Parinda (1989), Satya (1998) and Company (2002).

Sanju played a street smart Marathi lad Raghu who is engulfed in to vortex of crime after committing an unintentional murder. He grows up the ranks to become a hitman for the local politician (Mohan Joshi) but oversteps his limits which leads to his sordid end.

Vaastav belonged to Sanju Baba and the role of a vulnerable yet tough gangster suited him to the T. Manjrekar cast many Marathi theatre actors like Sanjay Narvekar, Bharat Jadhav and Makarand Anaspure who later became big names in Marathi cinema. Namrata Shirodkar was mighty impressive as the prostitute turned Sanju Baba's wife. Reema Lagoo as the mother, who ends up being 'Mother India' in the climax, was effective as ever.

At the box office, Vaastav became an instant hit in Maharashtra particularly Mumbai where its plot was based but took time to pick up in rest of India. It was declared a super hit in terms of return on investment and Sanju Baba got such a massive hit only after Subhash Ghai's Khalnayak (1993). Manjrekar opened his innings in Bollywood with a hit.

A sequel titled Hathyar (2002) was directed by Manjrekar which featured Sanjay Dutt again as Raghu as well as his son Rohit. Deepak Tijori and Reema reprised their roles from the original while the sexy Shilpa Shetty was the new addition to the cast as Rohit's wife. Sadly, Hathyar appeared to be a leftover edit of Vaastav with practically the same plot and bombed badly at the box office.

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.