Review of Raajneeti (2010) by Mandar S — 05 Jun 2010

An interesting mix of the modern-day Mahabharath and The Godfather, which turns out to be a pretty deadly combination.

The main assets of "Raajneeti" remain its fast paced script and fiery dialogues, which keep you engrossed and also provide a shock treatment kind of entertainment to its viewers at regular intervals. Prakash Jha's realistic and rustic treatment of the script is the second merit of the movie which never allows you to leave the theater for anything. And then there are two shining performances by Nana Patekar and Ranbir Kapoor who make everything look so believable with an elegant ease. After watching it, I am sure you will not be able to imagine any other actor doing more justice to his role than Nana Patekar as the Krishna of "Raajneeti". Interestingly his smiling character shows glimpses of both Krishna & Bheeshma Pitahma in his various scenes throughout the movie and he is truly outstanding in it. The man is vicious with his hidden nods and half smiles standing at the back in most of his sequences.

Ranbir Kapoor once again proves his caliber. His Michael Corleone attitude speaks volumes with his silence and delivers a polished act with shades of both grey and white. Manoj Bajpa is gripping as usual as the main Duroyodhan and Arjun Rampal manages to pull through the Sunny Corleone act with a muster.

Interesting more is the importance given to each individual in the script which eventually makes you remember every character in the movie . Only keeping Devgn's Karna character, all the other characters in the script are able to leave a solid impact.

But before watching this Prakash Jha's modern-day epic, you must get prepared for its rough, dry and cunning treatment of the subject which truly justifies its title called "Raajneeti". The movie greets you with some steeply sharp twists & turns, coming every five minutes in the storyline which may be cruel, bloody and inhuman. There are spies, murders, explosions and betrayals coming one after another on the screen, making you realize the real power lying in the term of "POLITICS".