Vaastav: The Reality

This is in my Top 10 Bollywood Best Movies of all time. It is no doubt the Best Sanjay Dutt movie ever. Sanjay Dutt received BEST Actor award from Filfare, Zee and International Indian Awards. I remember when this movie first came out. I was told its a new Gangster movie and is a Big Hit in India. I did not expect much since Bollywood hasn't really made any realistic Gangster Movies (apart from Parinda) in the likes of Hollywood Classics (Scarface, Goodfellas, Godfather). Vaastav is easily among the best Hindi Gangster Movie, others include (Company, Hathyar). There have been Hindi Gangster Movies before, but all copy of Hollywood movies such as Aatish (A better tomorrow), Aatank hi aatank + Sarkar (Godfather), footpath (State of Grace) etc. Vaastav has its own storyline that suits with India life, Serious and Entertainment. Sanjay dutt gives a powerhouse performance of his career. Namrata Shirodkar looks quite sexy as the prostitute and wife of Raghu. I managed to get a few people into Bollywood because of this film. If you ain't seen it, then See it.

The talented Mahesh Manjrekar directs his second feature which centres around the character of a simple guy whose attempts to lead a normal life fail and as a result he becomes a merciless underworld don. Manjrekar's direction is excellent and he successfully depicts the dark tone of the crime world. He offers a grim look at the underworld and not even once does he try to glorify it or show it in a positive light. On the contrary, through the main character he shows how restless those who get involved in it are. The film, though a bit unevenly executed at places, generally remains steadily focused, and the proceedings are raw and serious, without useless attempts at comedy and unnecessary subplots one gets to see so much in Hindi films. Many of the film's scenes are extremely moving.

For the demanding role of Raghunath, Manjrekar casts Sanjay Dutt, one of the industry's most respected and loved stars, yet one of its most underrated actors. Dutt is simply exceptional, portraying every shade of his character with sheer conviction. He actually becomes Raghunath and manages to create a real new screen persona with his line delivery, body language and his often frighteningly serene attitude. This is one of his absolute best. Other cast members do a very good job, with Reema Lagoo delivering the most memorable performance of the lot as Raghu's tormented yet loving mother. Sanjay Narvekar is quite effective as his best friend, while Namrata Shirodkar does a fine job as Sonu, a young prostitute with whom he falls in love.

Vaastav is not without its flaws. I, for one, found Raghunath's transformation far too quick to be completely believable. The film, though generally gritty, intense and matter-of-fact, gets at times a bit too emotional and consequently the level of its authenticity is thus reduced by a iota. Nonetheless, the film's final scenes are powerful and riveting and the very last scene is fantastic. Do watch Vaastav, mainly to see Sanjay Dutt's performance.

Plot:Story Off A Normal Man Get's Dragged Into Crime Life And Pay With Life

Cast:Sanjay Dutt As Raghunath "Raghu" Namdev Shivalkhar Namrata Shirodkar As Sonia Sanjay Narvekar As Dedh Foootya Mohnish Bahl As Vijaykanth Namdev Shivalkhar, Raghu's brother Shivaji Satam As Namdev, Raghu's father Reema Lagoo As Shanta, Raghu's mother Deepak Tijori As sub-inspector Kishore Kadam Paresh Rawal As Sulemaan Bhai (Mandavali Badshah) Mohan Joshi As Home Minister Babban Rao Ashish Vidyarthi As Vitthal Kaanya

Performances:Cast Performances Is Great But Sanjay Dutt Steal Movie With Easily One Of Most Powerful Performance Ever Seen In Bollywood And Taking Home Is First Filmfare Best Actor Award Plus Award for Artistic Excellence And 2000 Screen Weekly Awards

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 .

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.