WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
What heroics are done for king and country? What bravery is enabled when honor and duty are on the line? What price is paid by men for the love of a woman? The Second World War rages forth in 1943, and one country struggles with its own internal conflict–India under British rule. With the peaceful teachings of Gandhi ignored, INA founder Subash Chandra Bose calls for a joint effort with the Japanese, hoping to follow them to victory along the Indo-China border and then to Delhi, while seeking independence from Britain. Amidst this comes soldier Nawab Malik (Shahid Kapoor), a former prisoner of war now assigned to guard one of India’s treasures, Julia (Kangana Ranaut), a film star known for her daredevil acts in movies produced by her mentor, Rustom “Rusi” Billimoria (Saif Ali Khan).
Known for entertaining the troops with dance acts based on her movies, circumstances have been fabricated through the scheming of the resident British commander, Major General Daniel Harding (Richard McCabe), to send Julia to the Indo-Burma border region and raise troop morale, much to Julia and Rusi’s hesitation, especially now that the two are involved. Assuring Rusi that Julia will be safe with increased security, Julia heads out and soon finds herself behind enemy lines with Nawab truly being her only safeguard. As they navigate the foreign landscape via the aid of captured Japanese soldier Hiromichi (Satoru Kawaguchi), the two fall for each other. Will it be possible for Julia to choose between the two men, even as they head towards a collision course with each other, exposed deceits, and India’s rally for independence?
Next, my Mind:
A man of many parts, director/co-writer/co-producer/composer Vishal Bhardwaj delivers a fantastic period piece that soars on lofty wings, its narrative careening through a myriad of storylines, all ultimately centered on a developing love triangle and the fight for India’s independence plus those for and opposed to it. Very much character-driven and intelligently complex in its execution, it is a thinking man’s epic that also provides all the excellent elements one expects from Bollywood cinema, with several key twists thrown in to jolt the audience as well. The gorgeous cinematography propels the viewer into the riot-filled streets of Delhi to the lush jungles of the Indo-Burma borderlands as well, and the music score from Bhardwaj entertains the ears and elicits the emotions intended throughout.
Kapoor, a hot item coming off his Filmfare Awards win for “Udta Punjab”, is no less affecting here as Nawab, a dedicated, relentlessly loyal soldier whose ideas about India’s freedom and the events unfolding before him only further drive his agendas and actions. But, the unanticipated equation with Julia sets his goals and future on a totally different path, complicated but for the better, yet could be his undoing on multiple fronts, too. Khan likewise dominates the screen in playing Rusi, a very driven individual who not only knows what he wants, but often takes it or expects it without so much as asking anyone else’s approval. He’s a bold but embittered man, and his pursuit of Julia, followed by his control over her, only causes him to become more and more isolated from those who might support him along the way.
Ranaut is a real gem in her performance as Julia, a very independent-minded woman who knows how to fire up the troops, but also longs for a stable, loving equation with someone, mainly with Nawab once his arrogance is tamed by her tough but gentle demeanor. Julia’s a talented and proud character, and Ranaut takes full advantage of every chance to shine whether on the stage or in the middle of the Burmese jungle. The three together on screen is a dramatic tour-de-force along with their individual contributions and duo scenes respectively. Supporting efforts by McCabe as the haughty, spiteful Harding, Kawaguchi as the captured Japanese solider who helps and hinders Nawab and Julia, plus Alex Avery, Surendra Pal, Saharsh Shukla, Lin Laishram, all come together to round out the proceedings with fine acting, too.
In total, “Rangoon” is very much a must-see effort as words just don’t come close to encapsulating all the intricacies and nuances of the narrative being presented. It presents its elements in well-fashioned Bollywood style, yet maintains a tone more akin to smaller films, just on a grander scale via its indelible acting and wonderful visual form. Once again Bollywood takes on a specific genre of film done countless times in Hollywood and finds a way to make it not only sheer entertainment, but smart and fresh as well.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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