« Prashna Shastra – Interconnectedness of life! | Main | When I was called a fake! »
June 14, 2004
‘Dev’ leaves a lump in your throat!
The screen opens with a disclaimer – “All the characters and incidents in this movie are fictitious and any resemblance to people living or dead is mere coincidence,” and wish that was true. The bomb blasts, the killing of pregnant women, misguidance given by police officers, politicians’ direct indulgence in gruesome killing of minority community and setting people on fire alive doesn’t sound like Govind Nihalani’s imagination.
The movie reminds us of the gruesome incidents, which took place in Gujarat under the disgraceful supervision of the bureaucrats, judiciary and the politicians.
The movie reflects the disgusting animal side of human beings who can get more heinous than the wildest of species just because a sect of people follow another system of religious practice.
Amitabh Bacchan, Dev, and his family friend Om Puri, Tej, are police officers who differ just on one thing - their ideologies. Dev is a sincere cop, and is under the strong conviction that only unwanted weeds should be eliminated to preserve the field, while Tej feels the whole field should be eradicated so that there is no sign of weed whatsoever. The weeds are few Muslim terrorists while the field is the whole of Muslim community!
Fardeen Khan (Farhan Ali), a lawyer, comes back to live with his father after his education only to see his father getting killed in a police shoot out. Farhaan starts nurturing a hatred towards Dev as the firing order is given by him to control the morcha led by his father, which gets violent midway.
Kareena Kapur is a bold Muslim lady in love with Farhan and the only woman to come forward first to file the FIR against prominent politicians and the rabid police officers who are seen motivating rioters.
Om Puri is appointed by the CM as an officer on special duty to take control of the situation in the riot stricken area and is given clear instruction that on any day the number of Muslims killed should be more than the Hindus! Om Puri knows his job well. He delays to give curbing orders to Amitabh, who reports to him, so that the Hindus succeed in killing the Muslims and also waits till the Hindus manage to lock the Muslims in their houses and succeed in setting the whole building on fire. Women and kids get charred to death while few jump from their corridors.
The movie isn’t just about sets, screenplay and cinematography. It is about the essence of human civilization and humanity.
The performances of Amitabh and Om Puri are one of the best with special applause to the debates they have during their drinking sessions.
The movie is a must watch, but see to it you understand Hindi perfectly well. Few Urdu dialogues could go overhead and also don’t assume your friend to translate the dialogues for you. He might miss the whole thrill and the pace.
Verdict – Salute to Dev
Posted by Kenni at June 14, 2004 05:45 AM