'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.

If ur a typical bollywood drooler who thinks "item number+good cast+good location = hit movie" pls don't watch this. This movie does have a clichéd story line, "youngster wants to push his luck in crimeworld" but so did scarface and u knw it was only a hit after being released onto VHS, in early 90's.

D deals very well with the character of one man.one man who doesn't talk much and uses his brains and balls to go forward in the mafia.There is a scene in the movie in which "deshu" takes revenge on a policeman by actually not attacking him but instead keeping him in fear(u gotta watch that scene where he says to his gf how he will take revenge).

If u like "kisna" in place of "page 3" then this movie is not for u!

Another mafia movie out of the RGV factory. First of all, set expectations right to enjoy the movie. Don't expect the brilliance of Satya, raciness of Company, or the impact of Ab Tak Chappan. Then you will end up actually enjoying the movie instead of panning it as just another mafia movie.

I am surprised that they didn't promote this movie as the prequel to Company. Hollywood would have milked the angle. Hindi movies need to start doing it. But it is a "prequel" to Company, no questions about that. When seen in that angle you understand the motivation behind making the film.

The biggest plus of the movie, like other RGV movies there is no sugar coating. The scene where Deshu is sitting and eating lunch in the chawl is so realistic of chawls in B'bay that you almost can touch and smell it. There is no Yash Chopra grandeur. The romance is gritty and real. There isn't too much dialogue in the movie which furthers the impact. There is no real need for it, you can extrapolate the dialogue from the situations. The background music is fitting. Another plus point of the movie is the focus on the story. The movie never veers from it. The story is about the rise of common man to that of a mafia don (Deshu). There aren't any sub plots to divert the attention of the viewer. The acting for most part is top notch. Rukshar (Bhakti Bhatnagar) who plays Deshu's girlfriend is the only one who doesn't command a screen presence.

So whats the biggest minus ? Like I said before it doesn't leave you breathless a.k.a Satya. You have appreciate the mumbai tapori/mafia/colloquial setup to some degree to like the movie. If you are a fan of the afore mentioned movies. Its a must see.

The movie has been shot well and goes in line with the story line. Whole subject is kept serious as this is a thriller. Randeep has been best with his attitude and his showcase as a gangster. Movie shows no non sense stuff.

I would rate this as a must watch for some who like COMPANY, once upon a time in Mumbai, This movie is a bet.

Finally this guys dint made much of his time during 2000-2010, but looks like some in the mumbai industry finally caught with the talent and his acting.

But now, after Ram Gopal Varma's "Satya" and "Company", after Mahesh Manjrekar's "Vaastav" and Hansal Mehta's "Chhal"? Nah, gives us this day our daily break... Enough about unwashed men washing their conscience in the blood of the slain. Enough of this swivel-and-snarl routine with blood-red eyes, slurring speech and smoking guns.

In places "D" glamorizes violence with disdainful words and crackerjack visuals to a point where you wonder whom the script supports.

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