Aakrosh

Aakrosh boasts of a very good star-cast. But in the past we have seen many movies falter despite having a great star-cast. The reason (very obvious)----Lack of a good Story Line. Well, its this aspect in which Aakrosh takes the lead from others. In India, the movies are made around the Interval. Its often that a movie builds its mood up-to the interval and then takes pace. But Aakrosh takes just initial 5 minutes in building the mood and manages (with aplomb)in keeping it up. The story is gripping. The action sequences are top-notch. The songs are few and well placed. The background score is terrific and the performances are fantastic. Though there is an excess of violence but it goes with the feel of the movie.

Overall, a good movie which should not be missed.

Priyadarshan finally decided to make a movie based on serious issues after a series of comedy stuff. The last I remember was Virasat and before it Gardish. Now both of them were well made movies but not to forget that they were remake of South Indian movies.

This would be the first time he comes with a serious and original script. The movie is based on the recent hyped honour killings in India. An honour killing is a killing of young ones who despite of belonging to different castes, fall in love with each other. Not that honour killing weren't happening earlier but Priyadarshan took the right opportunity to make a movie on this subject due to lots of media news on it.

The movie is a work of fiction with the background being disappearance of three young boys in a remote village named Jhanjhar. Enter our two CBI officers Sidhant (Akshaye) and Pratap (Ajay) who are given the task by the central government to find the whereabouts of the three missing ones. What starts from here is the mystery behind their disappearance, the corrupt acts of the local policemen (Paresh Rawal as the SP), the violent acts of one Shool Sena, the silence of villagers despite of multiple atrocities, the frustration of the two protagonists on being within the law despite of the fact that everyone else around is lawless and despite of all their efforts the criminals set free by the court. All this leads to anguish(Aakrosh) in both of them.

What Priyadarshan misses is demarcation in making this movie serious or entertaining. Recently we had one serious movie on the pitiful state of farmers who cannot payback the loan they owe (Peepli Live). On the other hand there was a recent entertaining stuff on the background of a village with a Robinhood type cop (Dabangg). Aakrosh goes one way or the other in its whole run. There are authentic talks and brainy investigation by the two officers but then there are also unnecessary song sequences, romantic moments and unbelievable stunts.

As a package though, the movie is not bad. Viewers will be glued to their seats due to the thrill and tensed theme of the movie. At times the direction of the movie picks up but loses momentum later on. This goes on till end. The script is good if not brilliant and at the end you have a satisfied feel. Performance wise, the cop duo chemistry between Ajay and Akshaye is excellent and the biggest turn on of the movie. Ajay takes most of the canvas and in his ruthless and gutsy role, performs very well. Akshaye also plays superbly his role as the tactful and strategist cop. Paresh Rawal is good but his character development as a comical and villainous SP of the village is improper given the fact that earlier he has played this kind of role very well(e.g. Milan, Mohra). The actresses are just shown as depleted woman of the society but they play their part as what supposed to be.

Not in terms of a serious view but to watch an decent action flick this movie can be seen.

First of all, a warm welcome to Priyadarshan and Akshaye Khanna. Priyadarshan had stopped making good films years ago, he was busy making guaranteed super flops with Mr. Kumar. Akshaye Khanna had disappeared from films long time ago. Both have made a good comeback with Aakrosh. And, after a long, long time, bollywood has come up with a brilliant and meaningful movie. Aakrosh deals with the honor killing that has been prominent in a few villages for the past few years. The movie also discloses the actual truth behind these alleged honor killings and the real culprits behind them.

Three students from New Delhi are found missing from the village called Jhaanjhar for the last two months. Two CBI officers ( Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna ) team up to find out the truth behind their disappearance. The Jhaanjhar village, crowded with numerous corrupt politicians is terrified with the attacks going on and the police force under the Superintendent officer( Paresh Rawal) does nothing. The CBI officers have had time doing the investigation as no one in the whole village is gutsy enough to speak against the attacks and the one who tries to open his mouth is abducted by those groups. Ajay Devgn, the hot blooded, loses his cool and takes some strong actions and Akshaye Khanna, the man with the brain, takes his chances and gambles. Hard work pays off well in the end and the truth finally comes out and the village then rests in peace.

The movie has taken its inspirations from the recent cases of honor killing but on the whole it's a work of fiction.

Acting Department is ruled by Ajay Devgn and Paresh Rawal. Both are in top form in this movie. Both are trying to outdo each other with their strong expressions and dialogue delivery. Akshaye Khanna, too has acted well but Ajay Devgn and Paresh Rawal are the show stealers. Reema Sen does well. Bipasha Basu is wasted. Action Sequences are top notch. The chasing scene between Ajay Devgn and a group leader is outstanding. Dialogues are awesome. A few of them even manage to bring a smile on your face and compel you to clap and praise! Cinematography is average. Editing could be better. Priyadarshan has directed the movie splendidly this time. He is sure to win many accolades this time. The only absurd part of the movie is the romantic song between Ajay Devgn and Bipasah Basu.

To conclude, I would say go for it as finally a good Hindi movie has arrived (which actually is rare ) and for super strong performances of Ajay Devgn and Paresh Rawal.

My Rating: 8/10 Thanks and Regards.

Last night, I watched Mississipi Burning (1988) and was taken by surprise. It was really a shock to see how every bit of the movie has been copied by Priyadarshan. When I say 'copy', I mean it. Akrosh has nothing original to offer. Mississipi becomes UP/Bihar and racist killing takes the shape of honor killing. Rest remains same: the setting, the place the detectives stay, the place where killings happen, so on and so forth. Ajay Devgan plays a perfect Gene Hackman and does justice to the role. Akshaye Khanna plays a Defoe, the second lead. Can you believe it he appears in the same get-up as Dafoe in Mississipi...? Paresh Rawal's part has been a little spiced up to cater to the taste of Indian audience.

Mississipi burning maintains the pace and never goes off-track, thanks to the director. Priyadarshan spoils the momentum by bringing in too-unrealistic and melodramatic fight sequences. Watch Mississipi Burning for a much better viewing experience. Aakrosh is an average remake...nothing more!

A reality based thriller, this film definitely deserves a sequel with the 2 lead actors.

The film focuses on honor killings in north India and the evils still prevalent in society. A CBI officer and ex army officer are deputed to Jhanjhar where 3 college students were last seen to find out what happened to them and bring the culprits to book.

The good - the acting, especially Akshaye Khanna and Paresh Rawal, the stunts and action sequences , the editing, the plot, the climax. The second half of the film is more intense than the first.

The bad - one item song, but not an issue really . Does not spoil the essence of the film.

All in all, worth a watch.