Kaagaz 2

I saw this movie because it was the last one of late Satish Kaushik who was an extremely talented actor known for his comic acting in Hindi films. He had done serious roles too with distinction. He was unique in transforming himself seamlessly to the character he portrayed and this is also true in this movie where he plays a grieving father determined to get justice for his daughter. A truly super performance as his swan song. The main plot has a few entwined subplots. Young Uday ( Darshan Kumaar) is undergoing training at the Indian Military Academy and he feels he is not cut out for Military life. He leaves the training, goes home to his single mother Radhika ( Neena Gupta). After a tiff with mom on an impulse he decides to visit his estranged lawyer father ( Anupam Kher) who is ill and who is fighting a case to deliver justice to the late daughter of Satish Kaushik. She had died due to delay in reaching the hospital caused by a traffic jam because of a political rally.

Director VK Prakash makes use of three veteran talented actors available to make an emotional narrative which is appealing no doubt even though long winded. The message of fundamental right for freedom to travel unhindered ( Specially in emergencies) on roads is put across effectively and will resonate with the common man. All four actors have put in admirable performances. Old timer Kiran Kumar impresses as the judge. As Darshan's love interest Smriti Kalra has done well in a brief role. There are a few well shot scenes of training at the Indian Military Academy which impress.

Acting is class ! The movie draws the viewer in from the first dialogue . It's a great roller coaster ride that only stops at the end. Satish Kaushik has really pulled a rabbit out of the hat and I must commend him for this. Anupam Kher has delivered a great performance as a lawyer and his contribution to this movie is stellar. The songs are very melodious and must be downloaded asap. The new actress is very good as her performance is fresh as a rose. The beginning of the movie and thr introduction of Indian Military Academy is a great way to show the youth how imp it is to instill a sense of pride for the nation.

MUST WATCH !!

Kaagaz 2," the swansong of the late actor Satish Kaushik, is a film grappling with multiple identities. It's a sequel to the Pankaj Tripathi-starrer "Kaagaz," but thematically it carves its own path. It aspires to be a social commentary on the struggles of the common man within the legal system, a heartfelt tribute to Kaushik himself, and a platform for powerful performances. While it succeeds on the emotional front, the narrative suffers from inconsistencies.

The film follows the story of Bharat Singh (Darshan Kumar), a man whose life takes an unexpected turn. Initially, we see glimpses of a troubled childhood, hinting at deeper issues. The narrative then shifts gears, focusing on the bureaucratic nightmare Bharat faces when the authorities declare him dead. This throws him into a relentless pursuit of justice, mirroring the real-life struggles of Lal Bihari Mritak (the subject of "Kaagaz").

Director V. K. Prakash utilizes the courtroom drama format to highlight the complexities and delays of the Indian judicial system. Veteran actors Anupam Kher and the late Satish Kaushik deliver stellar performances. Kher, as the righteous lawyer fighting for Bharat, brings gravitas and emotional depth to his role. Kaushik, in his final screen appearance, shines as a morally ambiguous character caught in the system's web. Their on-screen camaraderie is a highlight, a testament to their real-life friendship.

However, "Kaagaz 2" stumbles in its pacing and thematic cohesion. The initial exploration of Bharat's past feels disconnected from the central conflict. Neena Gupta, though a talented actress, is somewhat underutilized in a peripheral role. The film's social commentary, while well-intentioned, can feel heavy-handed at times. The overreliance on courtroom scenes, though dramatically charged, can get repetitive.

Despite these shortcomings, "Kaagaz 2" is a film that tugs at the heartstrings. The central theme of a man fighting for his very existence resonates deeply. The performances, particularly by Kher and Kaushik, elevate the material. The film serves as a fitting tribute to Kaushik's legacy, showcasing his talent and dedication to his craft.

This movie revolves around the accident of a young lady who is denied access to emergency care because of traffic disruptions by political forces. This is about the fight of two fathers, one father of the lady and another father, the lawyer, against the system. It also showcases the dynamics between the father and the son, where the son tries to discover his father in a new light. This is a great story, and I believe more such stories should be encouraged. However, the delivery and the storyline are not that great. The format of storytelling, where the main pivot of the story is introduced in a flashback, is not the optimistic one of this kind of story. I think that story should have been introduced earlier.

A spiritual sequel to Kaagaz, I got to know this to be a remake of an award winning Malayalam film from the same director. The story is about an honest lawyer Raj Narayan Singh who takes up the case of Sushil Rastogi whose daughter Aarya Rastogi passed away due to failing to reach the hospital on time. A political party's rally led to the traffic jam. Raj Singh's son Uday too hates him for being abandoned as child when his parents separated and he blames Raj for the same. Uday is an IMA Cadet who quits due to his temper. After knowing the condition of his father and his strong will to fight the case no matter what, eventually let's him to join the cause. How does they plead their case and fight for justice, forms rest of the story.

Good actors alone cannot carry a film with an half baked script and that is exactly what happens here. The look of the film may be low budget and not much to complain there but the writing and the treatment of the screenplay, somehow fails to leave the intended impact. The father - son angle is largely saved by Anupam Kher - Darshan Kumaar's performances, especially in the second half. The main story involving the court room drama is restricted to emotional monologues, which looks extremely dated. Then, there is the movement people undertake in the third act which happens randomly and wish the whole segment was powerfully depicted. Overall it's a missed opportunity but good to see Satish Kaushik's honest performance.