Vaastav: The Reality

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.

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 has the Mumbai underworld as its backdrop. This subject has been dealt with before many times in Hindi films. But rarely is it handled properly. Satya is probably the best underworld film to come out Bollywood in recent years. Vaastav is not flawless like Satya, but it has a gripping storyline, good direction and characterizations, and most importantly - Sanjay Dutt.

This is probably the best role Sanjay Dutt has got his hands on since Khal-Nayak, and he takes full adavantage of it. Sanjay Dutt does an excellent job as the guy gone astray. He is as superb as the good-for-nothing lad in the initial reels as the dreaded man of the underworld in the latter ones. Namrata Shirodkar gets very limited scope and gives a fair performance. Shivaji Satam shines as Sanjay Dutt's father. Reema, as Sanjay's mother, also delivers a praiseworthy performance. Mohnish Bahl is wonderfully natural. Sanjay Narvekar , as Dedh-Phutiya, is mind-blowing. Here's a guy who is talent personified! Mohan Joshi is able. Paresh Rawal is likeably restrained. Ashish Vidyarthi gets less scope but does well. Depak Tijori leaves a mark. Usha Nadkarni is excellent. Ektaa, Himani Shivpuri, Jack Gaud, Achyut Potdar, Sunil Shencle, Ganesh Yadav, and Kashmira Shah (in a special appearance) lend average support.

The film is very well directed by the debutant Mahesh Manjrekar. Being his first film, he is excellent. Production values are not very high; anyway the film does not require pomp & showbiz, as it's so close to the ultimate truth. The film belongs to Sanjay Dutt all the way. Sanjay justifies the faith of his director and carries the film on his shoulders, ably supported by others. The only drawback of the film can be the songs, which are not so catchy. To sum it up Mahesh Manjrekar has a winner on his hand and Sanjay Dutt will get lots of accolades for this film.

A Silver Jubilee (25 weeks run) HIT. One of the Top Ten Hits of 1999.

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.

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 .