Maqbool

Vishal Bhardwaj has proven Rudyard Kipling wrong. West does meet East.

I just came back after watching Maqbool directed by Vishal Bhardwaj (remember Makdee or the music director of Maachis?).

And i am stunned. In this brilliant film, Macbeth meets Mumbai with such ease that i didn't think it would be possible.

It is an adaptation of Shakespeare's MACBETH. Only Duncan is the king of underworld (Abbaji - Pankaj Kapoor). Macbeth is Mian Maqbool (Irfan Khan). Lady Macbeth is Nimmi (Tabu). Macduff is Kaka (Piyush Mishra)

And the kingdom is present-day Mumbai.

Around them are India's best acting talents: Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, and Ajay Gehi.

This film is slightly different from Macbeth though. Macbeth is driven by his love for the throne. Maqbool is driven by his love for Nimmi.

He murders Abbaji and declares himself the leader of the gang. The underworld is in a state of shock and everyone suspects Maqbool. But no one dares raise a voice against him. Maqbool then goes on to murder his close friend Kaka to gain absolute power.

He is led (or misled) in his endeavour by two corrupt cops. (Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah). They essay the role of the three witches in Macbeth.

The performances are of a high order. Pankaj Kapur delivers his career-best performance. Followed closely by Tabu. In fact it is a photo finish.

Vishal Bhardwaj is a great storyteller. He imbues the film with a number of sparkling sequences and dialogues. Bhardwaj and writer Abbas Tyrewala do not resort to gimmicks and instead have been as realistic as possible. The guilt pangs that Nimmi and Maqbool suffer after Abbaji's murder is one phase that takes the film to a different high altogether.

In the end, all i can say is, Maqbool has the potential to be a landmark film in Bollywood. In spite of its shabby marketing.

Fascinating movie. A perfect adaptation. Since I saw the Indian adaptation before the Scottish original; it actually made me appreciate how seamlessly the story has been adapted. Pankaj Kapur as Abbaji is sensational. Note his expression when he is stopped and told that the cops are waiting for him after his arrest warrant is issued. He controls his anger and sense of injustice with humor. A classic moment. Also his revenge in the police station is well written. Full marks to Vishal for the screenplay. The casting is superb and the best example of getting a consolidated cast absolutely right. Irfaan as Mia gives a steady performance but this helps the surrounding cast to shine. Tabu is first rate. So is Om Puri. And watch for the characterization of Abbaji's silent right hand man. His devotion to Abbaji and then to Allah (watch his movements first to the song being played at Eid and then when he is asked to consume alcohol) comes across very real. As real as it gets . I am a big fan of this movie and VB to me is a sensational directorial find.

Irfan shines and shines. Tabu, Pankaj Kapoor are excellent, as are Naseerudin and Om Puri, but when Maqbool (Irfan) is on screen, he overshadows all. Yes even Pankaj (one of the finest actors of India). Vishal Bharadwaj has made an excellent adaptation. Why, oh why doesn't someone drag Sanjay Leela Bhansali to see this film. Anyone who has seen Irfan in 'The Warrior" or Haasil will certify that Irfan's utterly unconventional looks acts as a force multiplier, rather than a drag. He is a great talent, and Indian filmmakers would do well to use him much more than he is being used. Another victory for Bobby Bedi, one wonders why everyone in the industry seems to hate the man. He has already given us Bandit Queen and Maqbool. What more does a man have to do? Oh that's right, "Indian public wants films like Black and KKKG" (actual quote by a BB basher). Another word on Tabu, why don't more filmmakers give her real roles. But not Bhandarkar please. Page 3 has destroyed all faith in him.

Here is a movie that makes you sit up and take notice of a brilliant director, who entered the film stream as music director. Vishal's progress as a director is astounding!

The film is adapted from Shakeaspere's "Macbeth", using Mumbai underworld as the backdrop. Charecterizations are brillaint, with the witches in Macbeth, being metamorphosed into two corrupt cops.

The screenplay, cinematography, sound design are dialogues are brilliant. The performances from all the 5 key players, Irrfan, Tabu, Pankaj Kapur, and the two cops, Naseer and Om Puri are out of the world. Music is imaginative with captive visualizations.

Credit for the entire movie should go to Vishal, for his outstanding conceptualization and execution. A special word, for cinematographer Hemant Chaturvedi. His final shot of Irrfan falling on the ground in the hospital, with a slow motion of a pigeon, followed by a changing color from normal light to serene green, followed by the fall with a tilted camera is worth going miles for! Bravo!

This film is, in short, a masterpiece. A unique interpretation on Shakespeare's "Macbeth", "Maqbool" features Irrfan in one of the most brilliantly executed roles of modern cinema. He remarkably inhabits the skin of a character who is muddled, murderous, and maniacal. Pankaj Kapoor, as the invincible Abbaji, is astonishing in his portrayal of the Muslim Mob Boss. Truly an incomparable performance. As for Tabu, she is PERFECTION. This is not Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth- she is equally fierce, but given a softer and more shadowy countenance. Tabu is officially a text book of acting (take note, screen queens Rani, Preity, Aish, Madhuri, and the rest- this is what a REAL actress can do). Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri give expert portrayals. Kudos to Bhardwaj for creating a film which is not only unconventional, but eerily radiant. Ram Gopal Verma and Mani Ratnam now have company as India's most innovative filmmakers.