'Dev' - 'Gripping!'

Article Updated 11 June, 2004 09:24:32 PM IST

'Dev' - 'Gripping!'

'Dev' is a real treat for Bachchan fans. After 'Khakee', once again he delights in a cop role. The film has him essaying the title role and probably doing one of his best death scenes on celluloid.

'Dev' is gripping particularly in the second half. Govind Nihalani proves his mettle once more with this film. The maker hasn't lost his touch. Although 'Dev' is a cop film, there is no mindless killing and over-the-top action scenes. Some of our contemporary directors could borrow a leaf or two from the seasoned maker's book.

His previous, 'Ardh Satya' dealt with cops but he has grown since then. In no way has he even attempted to re-create 'Ardh Satya'. While the former dealt primarily with the goings on in a cop station, 'Dev' has gone many levels above. It examines the issues of the communalizing of an institution like the Police Force that is supposed to function in a neutral manner.

It is human drama taking place against the backdrop of contemporary politics. One may say that this topic has been done to death in our films. Yes, it has been but never so effectively and realistically! The maker is not apologetic for portraying the cops and politicians in a bad light.

'Dev' is a story about relationships - Amitabh and his wife, Amitabh (Dev) and Om (Tej) who have been friends for 30 years and are also colleagues, the rift that takes place between them owing to their difference of opinions. It is also Kareena (Aaliya) and Fardeen's (Farhan) love story and how circumstances force them to mature before their time. There is no typical happy ending and the fight against wrongdoers goes on. The film may sound a bit heavy and dry but it also has its light moments. Although the film has a bit of the anti-Muslim and anti-Pak feel in places, it is not based on that.

Now for the performances. Amitabh is superb. There is a scene in which he is helplessly watching people being killed and shops being burnt down as he has been ordered not to take any action. He portrays his helplessness very effectively. At times he is the angry old man and has his emotional outburst but the soft side to his personality is also well displayed.

Om Puri is brilliant as the cop who is easily manipulated by the politicians. He is a typical slimy cop who doesn't care about how many innocent people are killed in the process.

Amrish Puri, and Milind Gunaji make an impact in a brief role. Rati Agnihotri does her part well like a seasoned actor. Fardeen is shaky in the first half but improves considerably later. Kareena is very good right from the first to last frame. Two scenes require special mention- when she is trying to fight off the Hindu rioters who try to rape her friend and her, and the other in which she reveals the names of wrongdoers to Dev. With this film one can confidently say that she has matured as an actress and with the right films and directors could go the Tabu way. But the smooch scene (the one in which Kareena smooches Fardeen) looks out of place considering they are middle class Muslims.

Cinematography is brilliant. Never before has a riot scene been conceived and shot so well in a Hindi film. The bomb blast scene is another one that deserves mention. There is also scene in which an entire building is being burnt down. One couldn't look at the screen for long. It looked so realistic!

This film is no entertainer but definitely one that makes you think. A brilliant film that may not produce immediate results at the box office but one that will gradually pick up by word of mouth.

**** (FOUR STARS)

*poor; **average; ***good; ****very good; *****excellent

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