WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
When we are wronged, is it not human nature to desire equity, impartiality, and fair punishment to those responsible? If the decisions of a select few in power cause anguish, unfair treatment, and social unrest while their own well-being and stature benefits unduly, should the truth not be exposed so as to gain improvement? Or if one we love has been taken away by mistakes these elite refused to take responsibility for, would we not seek revenge? Nirmal Kumar (Irrfan Khan) ponders such weighty facets of life, even as a carefully laid plan to kidnap Rohan (Vishesh Bansal), the young son of Home Minister Prashant Goswami (Tushar Dalvi), is undertaken with cunning skill and desperate determination.
Immediately causing additional upheaval within the Minister and other high government official’s already beset rule, Prashant calls upon Officer Nachiket Verma (Jimmy Shergill) to assist in ascertaining the reasons behind the abduction and the strategies necessary to identify the man behind it and retrieve Rohan. Nirmal, however, has no intention of making their efforts to locate him easy, adapting a constantly shifting locale, instigating specific moments of contact with Nachiket and Goswami to drop clues yet remain elusive, and laying the foundations to exact a decidedly calculated reprisal against those from whom he desires accountability and answers. But, as Nirmal’s own history and motive is revealed, he and Rohan find themselves in a place of unexpected bonding, sharing fears and hopes, plus experiencing Stockholm Syndrome as one man illustrates the depth of a father’s love and the dangers found in the obsessed pursuit of justice.
Next, my Mind:
Carrying strong dramatic weight to back up its very candid and deeply-rooted message about social injustices against the people of India by a minority ruling class of government officials and their enriching of themselves while said populace suffers, director Nishikant Kamat’s character-driven effort could certainly be considered provocative on many fronts. Yet, at the same time, the narrative is so affective in its delivery and ultimate morale, the viewer finds themselves completely moved by Nirmal’s story and can utterly sympathize with his overall intentions, even if the method he’s chosen to chase them isn’t exactly above board. Beautifully constructed cinematography envelops the characters as the story unfolds, ushering us through the ever-changing myriad of locations Nirmal’s plan has in store to stay safely ahead of the law with Rohan in tow, from dark city streets, speeding trains, and city busses, to the middle of the desert and beyond. All of it leads to an intensely crafted and emotionally potent finale sure to please most audiences.
Along with names like Amitabh and initials like SRK, it has been a joy to see another of Bollywood’s classic actors in action again within the genre that made him, and who is also known by one name on screen and off–Irrfan. As Nirmal, he totally immerses us in the world of a man whose idyllic, peaceful life is turned upside down by one group of people’s poor choices, sending him down an internally tortured path in which he can see no other resolution to other than the one he fixates on. Irrfan is absolutely fantastic at emoting when it comes to playing the ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances, and this is no exception, as we feel every iota of emotion he portrays as this character. Accompanying him is the wonderful young actor Bansal, whose Rohan adds the very human element to Nirmal’s plight, as well as being a foil, unforeseen ally and unplanned friend/advocate to him, even if understandably hesitant at first.
Strong supporting turns are presented by Shergill as the steady, unwavering, by-the-books officer Nachiket and Dalvi as Rohan’s despairing father who may actually have more deeper regrets to confess, along with his peers, than desired. Overall, “Madaari” is an excellently weaved drama that isn’t afraid to be real in its showcasing of how political power abuse and a country’s disrupted, frustrated people can so often lead to individuals taking drastic measures to get their attention in the hope of effecting change and finding solace of mind.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
