Madaari

Watched it only for master class acting done by Irrfan and Jimmy sir

This is such a powerful film, and not just a film, but a powerful statement. The plot of the film deals with a man who has lost the only thing in life that is dear to him.

As a single parent, Nirmal Kumar(Irrfan Khan) life is fulfilled by caring for this little boy. All the spare time he has he spends with his son, playing with him and teaching him. On one occasion his son remarked about the whereabouts of his mother and he said that she left him for a career in the United States.

However Nirmal's life is shattered by an unforeseen calamity. I will not reveal more - you will have to see this brilliant film directed by an extraordinary director: Nishikant Kamat. I have already seen his previous films: Force(2011), Drishyam(2015) and Rocky Handsome(2016). I have also seen him act in the film 404(2011).

I have mentioned again and again how impressed I am with Irrfan Khan's steady rise in Bollywood. He is becoming the undisputed people's champion with films like these. I enjoyed his performance in Billu Barber(2009) and again in The Lunchbox(2013). In this film he is at the pinnacle of his acting prowess. He has managed to make tears fall from my eyes at many points in this film.

This is a powerful psychological drama and very relevant in today's world. The effect new digital technology is making in spreading information quickly around the world is shown in this film. Smartphones are by the billion in India, and then we have the newer iPads. So technology wise, a lot has changed in India. The age-old problem of government corruption in India is re-emphasized. Before I forget, I would like to mention the superb music in the film by the veteran music director Pritam. He has directed music in such hits like Dhoom(2004), Gangster(2006), Jab We Met(2007), Race(2008) and Bajrangi Bhaijaan(2015).

More film recommendations: Aakhree Raasta(1986), Hatya(1988), Dayavan (1988), Prahaar: The Final Attack(1991), Indian(1996), Yeshwant(1997).

Very special mention Kireedam(1989). This blockbuster film was remade in Hindi as Gardish(1993) directed by Priyadarshan. Kireedam has a sequel film Chenkol(1993) which was never dubbed or remade in Hindi.

Madaari, a Social-Thriller film by Nishikant Kamath, is one more attempt by a filmmaker to take head-on with the corrupt systems existing in our country. It is very much inevitable to draw parrallels with Neeraj Pandey's 2008 film 'A Wednesday'. A Wednesday was an engaging thriller with an unimaginable and unpredictable dramatic twist, which was set on the premise of terrorism. The underlying concept of Madaari is also the same, i.e. when a common man decides to raise his voice against the powerful, it does make a difference. I would admit that Madaari might lack the action-packed thrilling sequences as that of Wednesday, but Madaari has its own strengths and it also very successfully conveys the message. Although as a viewer, I did feel disillusioned. Not because the film is not good, but because, the subject of the film is so relevant. We are aware of these shortcomings of our society, system, government, hardly doing anything to change the system, still unable to bring any changes. But at least an effort to convey a pertinent point through such films generate hopes of changes in the outlook towards world and also making world a better place to live.

When he gets angry, you get angry. When he laughs, you laugh. When he cries, you cry. Irrfan Khan is one of the few actors of modern day cinema who carry unique ability to glue their audience with the celluloid moment in which they create their own reality. An Actor, who has achieved a sort of iconic status lately, has reappeared in his latest Bollywood venture "Madaari" directed by Nishikant Kamat who has previously directed films like "Mumbai Meri Jaan" and "Force". With powerful content, nonlinear storytelling with flashbacks and emotionally charged performance by Irrfan Khan, "Madaari" connects its viewers on their subconscious level and alleviates them to such an emotional state where it becomes difficult for them to differentiate between real and reel pain. A society in which corruption has become daily routine and importance of a human life is always the last thing in the mind of ruling elite, justice seems like a Utopian idea. Under such circumstances a powerless commoner who is also grieving for death of his only son in man-made disaster, can either go for ending his own life or he can take completely different route by seeking answers from individuals who are indirectly accountable for the death of his son. By kidnapping only son of India's Home Minister, equivalent to Interior Minister of Pakistan, he creates such havoc in the heart of powerful ruling elite which eventually make them bow to his demands. Curiosity, anxiety and events leading to penultimate stage of the film are so profound which twitch viewers' sense of seemingly "All OK" perception and create such an impact drama on silver screen which pokes us hard. Nishikant Kamat has skillfully used the talent of Irrfan Khan like an error-free technician who wants nothing but excellence on every frame in which Irrfan Khan appears. In today's world of Indian cinema where only content-less films crossing 100 Crores are important, "Madaari" is an anomaly which blatantly challenges pseudo-realm of typical Bollywood masala flicks. From the first frame to last 'Madaari' is an Irrfan Khan's film but Jimmy Shergill as Investigating Officer Nachiket Verma impresses with his serious but meticulous performance. On the whole "Madaari" is a kind of film which gives you goose bumps and silent moments when you come out of cinema hall and words from Faiz Ahmed Faiz's famous poem "Bol Kay Lub Azaad Hain Tery" are said during final credits of the film in husky voice of Irrfan Khan. --I wrote this review in 2016--

Nishikant tried to showcase the anger of common man against system and corruption similar Neeraj Pandey did in A Wednesday. Script was simply brilliant however climax need more thriller and more drama. Dialogues were really awesome and have punch. Nishikant has beautifully captured Father-son bonding in flashback. Impeccable performance from Irrfan with full emotions, grief,broken heart. Jimmy was terrific in the role of canny cop. Vishesh was good in role of kidnapped boy. Tushar was looking great in helpless father role as well as powerful home minister role. Nitesh role will remind you Deepal Shaw role in A Wednesday.There was not much scope for Music.