Finally, I had watched one of the most awaited film of mine, ‘aarakshan’, yesterday. The promos were stunning, the topic is one of my favorite and something I had discussed the most and in depth. And when prakash jha is on the director’s chair, the expectations are always high. I thought to write a review for this movie after I had read some of its review. There is nothing much to hype about this film. The way it was marketed makes us curious about the content in the film. But the story is much different. But anyway it’s a great effort and this movie is a must watch.
Firstly, whatever you were watching in the promos comprises just a minor part of the film. 90% of the promos are taken from just first half hour of the film, the rest is completely different. Amitabh Bacchan, has played or I must say lived the character of prabhakar anand, principle of a college. Prabhakar gives utmost priorities to principles and ideals in his life. He helps poor and backward kids and give them free coaching. Even he has reserved some of the places in his college for backward institutions which give rise to a controversy as the college is private and there is no reservation policy in it.
People belonging to upper class oppose on his policy of giving entry to backward people but not to them even for trustee or management quota. Lots of people became his enemy but he remains firm to his values. He favors and helps Deepak kumar, a backward student, played by saif ali khan in every part of his academic life and even give him a part time job in college. Deepak is in a relation with his daughter poorvi, played be Deepika. Poorvi and Deepak are friend with Sushant, played by prateik babbar who is son of a rich man and trustee of college.
The scenario of enjoyable and peaceful college life suddenly changes when supreme court approves the decision of 27% reservation in government colleges. Sushant, who was sure of his admission to mass communication in a leading government college got disappointed and annoyed, when he failed to secure an admission. His fury and panic lead to differences between him and Deepak. There is a massive dialogue and argument between him and Deepak on the topic of reservation. Mithalesh Singh, played by Manoj Bajpayee is the vice principle, who runs 7 coaching classes and has partial and negative thoughts about backward people. He taunts Deepak for his success and comments on the lack of competitive spirit in backward people, and using reservation for an unfair advantage. The fights goes vehement with both sides exchanging lots of personal comments. Prabhakar, suspends sushant and had a hot discussion with Deepak, leading Deepak to separate his path and further breakup of Deepak and Poorvi.
This section comprises the first half hour of the film, which seems controversial and provoking to some extent, but if you wish that entire film is based on this then you are wrong. The rest 2 hours are based on Amitabh’s struggle against private coaching classes, his fight with Manoj and his inner power of sticking to his values. After resigning from college, due to conflict with mithlesh, Prabhakar’s home is illegally taken by Mithelesh to run his coaching. Prabhakar starts a free coaching for all the students, Deepak and Sushant also joins him, soon they have an army of lots of people giving their free services and the Mithlesh coaching business suffer and eventually collapse. The end of the film is diplomatic and has nothing to do with reservation. It ends with having free coaching classes in the college campus for poor students.
So this was the story. Now talking about reviews, firstly I don’t understand why the movie is named as aarakshan, as a major portion of the movie has nothing to do with it. May be it’s a good marketing strategy, or may be if Prakash has extended the reservation part. Political parties may have burned his creativity before the film has reached the theatres.
Prakash has kept an equal perspective for both parties. Dialogues, which are both entertaining and thought provoking are said for both parties. There are some minor characters and stories which gives light to major problems, like a bramhin whose father is peon, not getting admission in a college despite having 86% as some ST student has taken a general seat. It shows the faulty rule of reserved people having the right to take seats of general people which results in destroying the future of a bright talent. Sushant not getting admission due to reservation policy is another thing. The bank manager not getting promoted and his junior getting promoted due to reservation policy reveals another loop hole.
Manoj Vajpayee, saying that reservation policy would lead to flourishing of coaching classes further seems the most strong point. As general people have to join coaching to compete due to shortage of seats, and even in the reserved class, those having money would enjoy better luxuries and resources and would easily beat the poor ones. That’s a reality, Prabhakar’s wife saying that reservation is not the solution of injustice and if you want to give them a chance, then give them better resources in the beginning, good primary education so that they would be able to complete with general people is another great thing.
I would recommend all the people to go and watch this movie, as its both entertaining and thought provoking. You would have fun and will really enjoy the way this sensitive topic is dealt with covering all the essential issues. It’s a must watch movie.
