The Attacks of 26/11

Long time after Sarkar, RGV has made, not great but, a movie which will hold you tightly to your seat with a sequence of shocking, painful, disturbing but true events.

Based on the facts disclosed by Rakesh Maria (then Joint Commissioner of Police, Mumbai Police. Now Chief of Anti Terrorist Squad, Maharashtra) to Investigation Committee regarding the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai, story is narrated by Nana Patekar who played the role of Rakesh Maria. Nana as usual has given an outstanding performance but other characters in movie lacked badly the acting skills. Sajeev Jaiswal, as Ajmal Kasab, was undoubtedly a good choice to play the role but overacted in a sequence where he was interrogated by Nana. The scene where Nana as police officer takes Ajmal to mortuary and shows the dead bodies of others terrorists is the most outstanding scene of the movie with marvellous dialogue delivery by Nana. RGV also tried smartly to infuse some moral dialogues to avoid hurting any religious sentiments and conveyed a message that terrorism is just a product of some ruthless insane minds and not of any community or religion.

The script lacked some deep emotions. It was all about killing and butchering of people all over the city. Audience would have liked to know something more about the terrorists and reason behind making them into such killing machines.

It's highly recommended to watch this movie only if you are interested to know the truth and mentally prepared to see enormous bloodshed, others should know that this is not one that can be enjoyed with popcorn.

Score 7 /10 Director Mr. Ram Gopal Verma has done good work. He has very balanced approach about this extra sensitive Terror Attack on Mumbai on 26/11. He has enhanced the emotional quotient of this film by adding some very fine nuisances in taking and presentation. Hats off to Mr. Director, for making this film without inserting any commercial aspect. His intention was just to pay homage to the person and Police men killed in this unfortunate attack simultaneously he condemned the terror attack without naming or underlining any religion. Director also tried to avoid unnecessary violence, without showing a crying baby being shot he shown the gun shot sound and the baby's crying sound went mum. Writer Mr. Rommel Rodrigues's work is very good. He conceived the film and scenes without being influenced by any prejudice. Scenes are good except few ones who sounded exaggerated for example, receptionist at Taj ,tried to save the kid, when all the attackers are roaming around her. It was absolute filmy. He highlighted the emotions by adding few scenes, for example Terrorist asks for water and killed the person after drinking it, old person killing in Cama Hospital. Dialogues are very good. Performance wise Nana Patekar is brilliant. Actor Sanjeev Jaiswal who portrayed the character of Ajmal Kasab is also brilliant. Rest are fine. Action Director Mr. Javed Aejaz 'work is impressive. Art work by Udai Prakash Singh is also good. DOP (Harshraj shroff and M. Ravichandran Thevar) work is fine too. Background score by Amar Mohile supports well the film.

Any story based on real-life events can only connect if it has a soul thereby making an instant connect with the audience. In the case of "The Attacks of 26/11" only after Kasab is captured the human side begins to surface. Until this point in time, the entire proceedings seem to be a documentary devoid of any emotion what so ever. If the writer/ director would have addressed this right from the first frame "The Attacks of 26/11" would have been a different experience altogether.

Sanjeev Jaiswal as Kasab is first class. Delivers a master-piece performance. Atul Kulkarni was wasted in a minuscule role and perhaps warranted better footage. Nana Patekar comes alive only after the capture of Kasab and is a treat to watch him portray the Joint Police Comissioner. Pre-dominantly "The Attacks of 26/11" appears to Rakesh Maria's version of what happened back then.

Yes, its a great attempt but could have been definitely better.

Attacks of 26/11 review:

This one has the look and feel of a special episode of TV series "Crime Patrol". But no, it is a Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) film so you get his standard close up shots and overloud background score. Thankfully, the director goes easy on his crazy camera angles this time. Nana Patekar is superbly restraint in a role modelled on Rakesh Maria. And Sanjeev Jaiswal resembles the terrorist Kasab quite closely.

Overall, a watchable film and coming from RGV after his multiple duds, thats quite an achievement!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

If only acting of other characters (Nana Patekar stands out as usual) have been up to the line, this could have been a great movie. The narrative in voice of Nana Patekar is really able to bind you with each and every scene. Some of the events are overly explained and acting of Kasab (Sanjeev) disappoints. The best part of movie is where Joint Commissioner of Police and Kasab are in face to face (happens twice). In first one, RGV is able to bring out the mindset of terrorists and meaning of jihad for them, In the second one, he is able to narrate the falsehood in the theory of jihad and extremist characteristics of religion. It has bollywoodiya style of telling the story but that's OK because its not a documentary, it's a commercial cinema movie.

Why watch: If you are like thriller and action (too much gunshots, bloodshed). If you are fan of Nana Patekar's acting and RGV's movies.

Why not watch: If you like romantic and tadk-bhadak movies. If you are thinking it as documentary on 26/11 attacks.