'D'

D review :

Ramgopal Varma (RGV)'s gangster trilogy completed with D - a title you would assume to mean the infamous don from Dongri but its main protagonist was called Deshu. Just Deshu. It's plot was actually an undisclosed pre-cursor to Varma's hit Company. The film was a fictional account of early days of Dawood and how he rose the ranks in the underworld to become its undisputed baadshah. The title 'D' was found confusing to aam junta so the posters read 'D - Underworld Badshaah' in some territories.

While Ajay Devgn was D (or Mallik) in Company (2002), Randeep Hooda played his younger avatar who is a son of a police havaldar and decides to take up crime as his business. The supporting cast - Goga Kapoor, Yashpal Sharma and Sushant - were impressive as the rival gangsters. Chunky Pandey sprung a pleasant surprise by his good goon act who is bumped off by his adversaries. Isha Koppikar was convincing as his love interest.

Rukhsar, who had disappeared after appearing in a couple of movies like Inteha Pyar Ki (1992) and Yaad Rakhegi Duniya (1992), impressed big time as the Bollywood heroine who falls for D. Her character was obviously inspired from a certain real life actress who was linked with the real life don in her prime. Rukhsar has never looked more gorgeous...trust me!!

Randeep Hooda, who had a miniscule role in few offbeat films earlier, was terrific as the lead hero Deshu. His voice and mannerisms accurately compliment Devgn's act in Company to make this movie appear a proper prequel to that classic. D wasn't as successful as Satya (1998) or Company but RGV completed his underworld trilogy with this movie directed by his lackey Vishram Sawant. It was one of the last ' RGV Factory' products which was worth a watch in theatre. I had seen it at Premiere Cinema, Parel in a near housefull Saturday evening show. Unfortunately, subsequent Factory products like Darwaza Bandh Rakho (2006), Shiva (2006), RGV ki Aag (2007) and Shabri (2011) drew a blank at this very theatre!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

One of the most unusual things in Bollywood is a sequel or a trilogy. Ram Gopal Varma completes this circle with "D: Company". Another hard hitting and realistic look at the Mumbai (Bombay) underworld scene. Deshu is a Dubai-returned common man who gets involved in the gangster world and soon starts taking over established names in the business. This leads to peer rivalry and of course, endless daylight shooting on Mumbai streets. The movie takes another shot at the politics-movies-police-underworld connection without sparing anyone in the process. This movie has the "Ram Gopal Varma touch", as we have come to know it, written all over it.

His previous outing with "Satya" and "Company" were equally amazing although none can match the raw power Manoj Bajpai brought to Bhikoo Mhatre(in Satya) or Ajay brought to Mallik(in Company). In this one, Randeep Hooda makes an excellent job as the aggressive yet ruthlessly calm "Dheshu" or 'D'. This movie ends where "Company" starts. So, in a way, one can see this movie as a prequel to "Company".

Performance wise there are many amazing surprises. For one, Chunky Pandey makes an excellent comeback as Raghav - D's right hand man. Then there is the Varma favorite Isha Koppikar as his love interest. Goga Kapoor, Yashpal Sharma and of course, the talented Sushant Singh also chip in powerful performances. On the whole "D:Company" turns out to be another enjoyable Varma production.

Giving it a 10 out of 10 for keeping us in touch with the reality for once.

I loved it. A mish-mash of RGV's previous gangster flicks. Simply loved 'Randeep Hooda' as 'Deshu'. How cool is that character? Seriously, he's one of my favorite characters of ALL TIME. I just loved the simplicity of this movie. No stupid camera gigs. No special effects on gun-shots. The focus is entirely on telling a good story and it keeps u riveted like other gangster flicks haven't. 'D' never drags.

Hooda has some screen presence.....this guy really commands ur attention. He emotes through his eyes and is downright chilling in some scenes. He's also gifted with a strong voice. I can definitely see him going places.

People expecting another cheap kichri of Satya/Company will be surprised by how entertaining and well made this flick is. Definitely recommended!

In the era when Shahrukh khan's over-acting is considered 'thrilling' and rated as top-notch by the Karan Johar circus... this movie proves that this new actor has the acting skill and confidence to make these over-hyped Khans run for their money.

This movie respects audience's intelligence and does not pursue the lowest common denominator by adding stupidly choreographed 'balle balle' songs.

This movie is about reality, it is about death and it is about the brutal war for survival. It is imaginative enough that doesn't bore the audience with obvious and unnecessary dialogue and director's clever use of music focuses on character's emotions and the underlying fear that governs everyone's behavior.

See this movie and compare it with the more 'mainstream' family oriented movies and you will see why RGV is one of the best director in the industry. Here the hero does-not cry, he is sober and mature enough to think and act. This the Khans will never be able to do.

10/10

I agree in most part with the first review especially when comparing it to other movies from the RGV production house. Unless watched as a prequel to 'Company', it stands a little feebly with a mixture of actors, script, storyline and direction borrowed from it's fantastic predecessors. Otherwise it's an interesting prologue to a more complete and fulfilling story. I think the movie improves in the last third with excellent plot development and gritty twists, and the finale is well-worth waiting for.

Having loved 'Satya', 'Company' and 'Ab Tak Chappan', maybe I was expecting too much from the same genre and was a little disappointed. Try again some other time methinks, rather differently perhaps for a fresher approach.