The Attacks of 26/11

The Attacks of 26/11 (Review) - Director Ram Gopal Varma had created quite a controversy when he visited the actual site where the terror attacks had happened way back in 2008. All the observations made back then alongwith the developments since then have been put together to make "The Attacks of 26/11". The director took a very different path at the first place in publicising his movie by not releasing a trailer or a first look. He directly released the first 7 minutes of the movie and that created quite an interest about what the final product would be like. The movie clearly shows how the 10 terrorists from Pakistan made their way into Mumbai by sea by threatening and taking help of few Indian fishermen. What transpired after the terrorists came into Mumbai is one of the dark chapters that the world witnessed. The level of crime and offence that was inflicted by the terrorists on Mumbai and its people were as horrendous as it could get. Ram Gopal Varma has done a lot of home work as he manages to recreate all the scenes that occurred at Leopold Cafe, The Taj, Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus etc.. very well on screen. The performances of the actors stand out in a couple of scenes, one such scene wherein a constable sitting and crying helplessly amidst the dead bodies at the CST. Nana Patekar as the Joint Commissioner of Police plays his role to perfection. In fact, it is his statements about the incidents around which the movie revolves. His performance in the scene where he tells Kasab as to what Islam really is, with controlled aggression, is praiseworthy. Not much importance has been given to the NSG commandos who played a huge role in fighting the terrorists apart from a couple of mentions here and there. Sanjeev Jaiswal who plays Kasab has done a decent job with his performance. He fits the role perfectly and also resembles Kasab a lot. The cinematography is good in a couple of sequences. As much praiseworthy as the performances are, the same cannot be said about the screenplay. Even though the run time of 2 Hours of the movie does not bore you at any instant, it is definitely not as hard hitting or as satisfying as it deserved to be. It just lacks that zing that would have otherwise given you a satisfying watch. All said and done, Ram Gopal Varma's "The Attacks of 26/11" may not be a must watch as expected but it is definitely nothing short of "worth a watch". The movie can certainly be considered a tribute to all those innocent ones who lost their lives in these horrendous sequence of events and apart from the movie, a big SALUTE to all those from the armed forces who fought against terrorism. My verdict - 6/10.

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.

This is not an easy film to watch but it is a highly recommended one.

A group of young men get hold of a boat and disembark in Mumbai with one and only intention: to kill as many as possible. In case one wonders as to why, the quickest response would be that they were convinced that such a deed would please God and a pleasurable paradise would await them.

Once ashore they follow their mission to the last letter. Death is spread in Mumbai like virus. In a taxi, cafe, hotel, train station and hospital.

The blindness of religious indoctrination does not allow them for a single moment to think and comprehend their actions; after all they are pleasing God, or so they were convinced.

The scenes are both graphic and distressing to watch. For much of this film, I wish I had been there to warn the unsuspecting family man, the child, the female clerk all of whom died simply because they were on their path.

The theme of the film must not be misunderstood as being anti-Islam but anti-fanaticism. Religion in itself is not the problem, extremism is.

Watch it, shed tears and pray for healing and compassion.

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.