Movie Review: The Attacks Of 26/11

Rating: Not Applicable

Cast: Nana Patekar, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Atul Kulkarni and others

Music: Amar Mohile
Cinematography: Hashraj Shroff, Ravichandran Thevar

Direction: Ram Gopal Varma

Producers: Parag Sanghvi

Release date: 1st March 2013

Ram Gopal Varma is on the verge of collapse after directing some nonsensical movies these days. But with 'The Attacks Of 26/11' he is attempting a real story in the likes of Hollywood directors. Let us see what has he actually done.

The CONTENT

26/11, and that date-stamp is itself enough as we all Indians know how some gruesome terrorists attacked our financial capital, Mumbai on that day in 2008.

As per the film, the then Mumbai Joint Commissioner of Police, Rakesh Maria, explains the happenings of the ghastly attack to the counsel investigating into the whole incident. A group of terrorists from Karachi enter Indian waters through a hijacked trawler in an aim to kill hundreds of people. After entering Mumbai city, they separate into groups, attacking Leopold Cafe, Nariman Point, Victoria Terminus Railway Station, Cama Hospital and other places. While police capture terrorist Ajmal Kasab, other 9 attackers are killed by NSG.

The EFFORT :

On-Screen:

Emotional intelligence is one word that suits actor Nana Patekar to the best. In the role of Mumbai joint commissioner, he is best in making audiences feel what exactly happened on that day. Nana's sober looks and serious expressions helped the character portray how an IPS officer in India is exactly capable of handling pressure and incapable of handling mishaps.

Next best performer in the movie is Sanjeev Jaiswal, the man who played the role of Ajmal Kasab. His psychic laugh in killing people, happiness in killing those helped him and repentance after watching his friends dead bodies, are three different feelings that require huge talent to portray. But Sanjeev did the awesome, however people will be really afraid of this guy to Kasab when they actually see him in real life.

Off-Screen:

Ram Gopal Varma is always best in deriving strong emotions out of scenes and characters. This time, he made this real story worth a library-copy for all Indians with his finer ways of storytelling. In films like this, directors will have no option but to stay grounded to reality. Still it is RGV who makes you travel through a trauma with his terrific screenplay.

Amar Mohile's background score needs a mention, but for people who expect it in the likes of Hollywood film might feel little disappointed.

The PLUSES:

· Watching this movie itself is a big plus

The MINUSES:

· Nothing.

BREAKDOWN:

Reading the news about 26/11 incident, watching TV programs and shows is quite different from what Ramu has shown. He uses his imagination at peaks to glorify every dead common-man, police constable, a doctor and others. Ramu should be appreciated for not taking too much cinematic liberties. But I expected that the director will show NSG operation too (like Zero Dark Thirty), but he wrapped the movie after Kasab's capture.

Have you ever heard the sound of fan cranking in a Railway Station? The noise at such places will never give such a chance. But when terrorists attacked Victoria Terminus, the whole place is dead silent, filled with corpses, injured and creak of fan blades. This is one such powerful screenplay of Ramu that makes every Indian feel the pressure of their blood after watching the scene.

Though this is not a tale of regular heroes, heroines and villains, Ramu gave many stunning moments to audiences. When the terrorists are killing people like playing a first-person-shooter video game, the innocent expression of kids in a couple of scenes is chilling. The director tried to highlight the holiness of this land by showing Ganapathi and Lakshmi idols in a couple of scenes. Also, the bad and good side of understanding religion is explained, through Kasab and Nana in two separate scenes that feature both.

Also, we understand the plight of police who use old-model rusted guns, lattis and even stones in the case, when perpetrators are using modern warfare assault rifles like AK-47. Even a group of 200 policemen might feel difficult to handle one such terrorist loaded with bombs and rifle. This is something our politicians should really think about, as 'The Attacks Of 26/11' expose it.

Audiences went shouting and screaming, after watching these things:

When, Police (I call them innocents) try all ways to stop terrorists.

When, Kasab was captured by Police.

And, When he is hanged!

But after watching the last super-text on the silver screen,'166 People Are Killed', many people walked out of theatres with no word, heads bent and seriously thinking about something, but not even talking to their friends. From theatre to parking, I heard no one uttering a single word. That's the real power of a real-film.

The FINISHING Line: Don't waste your time reading reviews, go and watch movie.

Review By: Hapra