Jha since he made his foray into Bollywood has remained firm with his moorings. His cinematic canvas has never just been filled with mainstream masala. [break]
He is one of those rare filmmakers in Bollywood who can combine art, reality and fiction with a panache – films like Mrityudanda, Apaharan and Gangajal to name a few.
Most of his films deal with the burning issues of modern India without trying the audiences’ patience. His recent release Aarakshan is yet another feather on his cap.
Aarakshan deals with India’s policy of reservation and its impact in the education sector. Well… what is sad is that the primary theme of the film stays there till the first half, while the second half deals with growing commercialization in the Indian education system.
The story does not deal with anything unheard of. If so, what is the hullabaloo all about? The answer is, director Prakash Jha and his rich understanding of cinematic ingredients that make Aarakshan a thought-provoking movie.
However, the movie does not offer extraordinary solutions to the issue of caste-based reservation, and the differences between the class-structure prevalent in the Indian communities. The film discusses the issues in detail but does not promise concrete answers. This is a flip side.
The second half deals with how mushrooming educational coaching centers has commercialized the Indian education sector.
This thematic digression almost splits the movie into two parts.
Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan) does not like to be known by his last name because we have to assume that he comes from a Dalit family. Dr Prabhakar Anand (Amitabh Bachchan) is the principal and a strict disciplinarian.
Dr Anand is fascinated by the brilliance and modesty of Deepak while Purbi (Deepika Padukone), daughter of Dr Anand, is in love with Deepak. Sushant (Prateik) is Purbi’s classmate and he is strongly against
reservation.
Dr Anand who is believed to be the savior of the oppressed gets into a mess when his confidants betray him. Reservation, one of the major burning issues in India and now even in Nepal, is dealt with utmost sensitivity.
The character, especially Saif Ali Khan is explosive and has delivered his best performance after Omkara. If only the story had not digressed, Saif would have had the space he deserved.
Prateik Babbar has very less to do while Amitabh Bachchan and Manoj Bajpayi steal the show completely.
Another major problem in the movie is its length, which is nearly three hours. The movie could have made an impact in less than two hours.
All in all, Prakash Jha’s Aarakshan offers you high drama, great performances and an intense story, though with loose ends.
The film is a safe and superficial bet on a complex theme.
Screening at QFX Cinemas.
The writer is Program Officer at Indian Cultural Centre
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