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.

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.

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.

One of the best Indian movies in that genre. This Movie depicts the reality and cruelty of the Streets in such countries.

Well played by the entire cast. And the lead role was nothing less then brilliant. He managed to convince the audience about he was a Young slacker, with a Hint of a sociopath the Way he boss and threathens everyone around him in da first running time. Towards the incident that changes his life. And later on he turns on the level a notch, he troughout the Movie keeps a steady level right untill the end. Were we as the audience Can Tell the difference apart from a sociopath or a psychopath. Well done.

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.