Lal Salaam

Home >> Articles >> Movie Reviews >> Article

Article Updated 08 December, 2002 03:48:52 PM IST

Create Your Hotlist

Lal Salaam

Credits
Producer/s:	Sanjeev Karambelkar
Director:	Gaganvihari Borate
Cast:	Nandita Das, Sharad Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raj, Sayaji Shinde
Music:	Hridaynath Mangeshkar
Lyrics:	Gulzar

"Pachaas saal kafee hotey hai... vichaar karney ke liye..." is what Rajaiyyah says to Dr. Kanna who is a believer of the Indian democracy. Lal Salaam is a film that shows the feelings of the masses in a no-nonsense way. Using the Naxalities movement as a vehicle to convey his message, Gaganvihari Borate has come up with electrifying results in his debut Hindi film.

The film is set in an area where small villages like Allapalli are tortured and exploited by none other than the law keepers like Solanki, Rathod and Deshpande (Sayaji Shinde) and others. Victims of their deeds are innocent villagers like Ghisu (Vijay Raj), who is beaten too badly Rathod when he dared to ask for his wages, and Rupi (Nandita Das) who is raped by Deshpande. They would have followed quite and undemanding lives, had they been not abused.

Rajaiyyah (Makrand Deshpande) is the man who is running an armed mission against the corrupt and cruel system. He represents the Naxalities' movement that is going on in a few Indian states. Ghisu and Rupi join hands with Rajaiyyah after becoming victims. Dr. Kanna (Sharad Kapoor) is Rupi's would-be-hubby and a socialism minded doctor of the region, who comes back from Nagpur to serve his people. And Dattu (Rajpal Yadav) is a silent witness of everything. These to men represent the Indian common man who hardly raises his voice come what may.

Lal Salaam has a simple storyline. It begins with usual tortures of people and ends with a symbol of unending armed conflict of Rajaiyyah and his team. The treatment, however, is not usual. Arshad Jamal has successfully developed an imaginative and fiery screenplay out of too much heard situations. He has also written some first-rate dialogues that echo the feelings of the society. Though the film lacks lighter moments, one does not feel any need of it as things keep moving right from the beginning because of the neat crafting.

Some scenes are very effective. Examples are: Ghisu tortured by an inspector, Rajaiyyah kills a manipulative wood agent, Ghisu's conversation with his family after becoming a rebel, a conversation between Rupi and Ghisu about their battle (with dialogue 'Lal Qilla Kahan Hai...'), Dattu's wife succumbs to Deshpande's sexual desire, the killing of Deshpande and Solanki, Kanna and Rajaiyyah's debate about the latter's way of seeking justice and an unexpected but acceptable climax. The film has a few mistakes as well. How can Rupi write a letter when she is an absolute illiterate? How can Ghisu come and meet his family when police has a strict vigil on his home to nab him?

The film has melodious music also. Lyrics by Gulzar and composition by Hridaynath Mangeshkar are gentle on the ears. Mitwa, Watan ki baat and Hunkara are not only hummable, but they also go well with the narrative. And yes, Lata's voice in songs is so refreshing that one would forget her poor rendition of the K3G title number. Technically, it shines on the most front. Editing by Bibhuti Bhushan is flawless barring a couple of slips. Cinematography by Debu Deodhar creates the right mood in frames.

Competent performance is another shot in director's arm. Nandita Das, Makrand Deshpande and Vijay Raj have contributed to their best to make the film finer. Sayaji Shinde is loud but he also shines at places. Rajpal Yadav's could have done far better if his character was defined well. Sharad Kapoor does just in a cameo.

It is a director's film, one should say. Gaganvihari Borate has proved his mettle in his very first film. Lal Salaam is a low budget film that has no big stars to cash-in at the box-office. It has no ordinary spices of Bollywood flicks. Still, it has a fair chance to be a winner mainly because the viewers are now keener to accept any good movie. Remember Indians are an annoyed of the democracy and the masses may like Borate's cinematic solution to the shady.