Satyagraha
wogma rating: Watch but no rush (?)
It's predictable, preachy and over-simplified yet, it engages because it's close to home.
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Satyagraha - Preview
Oh dear, how long has it been since we've seen an Amitabh Bachchan film? Over a year! I know, it seems like he's always around, what with the KBC promos and the numerous product endorsements. But it does seem like a really long while since we've seen him on big screen. Needless to say I'm looking forward to just that.
That Satyagraha is an intriguing political film is such a bonus. Despite what the trailers would have you believe, director Prakash Jha maintains Satyagraha does not allude to any particular movement.
In any case, the idea of a businessman taking the politicians of the country head on is interesting enough for me. Without letting, which movement Satyagraha draws its inspiration from, bother me, I'm going to try and enjoy whichever angle it picks to work on. All equations - be it the egalitarian-elitist one or between the lovers with conflict of interest - invoke curiosity. The hope is the intrigue will be utilised to its best for the entire length of the film.
The music however has received lukewarm response. It does hurt to have a 'item number' type of a song in the playlist. Hopefully, I am proven wrong.
Music Reviews:
Bollyspice - "2/5"
Bollywood Hungama - "2.5/5"
glamsham - "3/5"
IBN Live, IANS - "3/5"
Milliblog - "Despite being a multi-composer album, Satyagraha’s soundtrack stands out!"
Music Aloud - "6.5/10"
- meeta, a part of the audience
With themes like bribery and corruption a film almost always has black and white characters. I doubt there is any other way to go about it. System - bad, common man - good. Politician - bad, idealist - good. In that sense, Satyagraha doesn't have any surprises at all. But, the unexpected comes in little packages every once in a while - in a one-off expression by Manoj Bajpayee or a slight deviation from what we have come to expect in such films from the characters. Not that it takes away too much from the predictability of the overall plot, even so.
There's another thing about films that take a stand on a social issue that in the writer's zeal to make the point, characters take about turns in their character graphs for no compelling reason. Satyagraha keeps away from any such temptations. This keeps the battle between good and bad very interesting because you are always waiting for the other side's next move. Also, the focus on the issue starts in the first few minutes and stays on till the very end.
Except of course, for a detour at Junction Romance. The one romantic sequence and the song that follows sticks out like a sore thumb, quite literally. The picturization of that song is so weird and out of the place for the film that you wonder if it was shot and squeezed into the film as an afterthought.
Fortunately, all through the performances are ace rate. Undoubtedly, you forget he's Amitabh Bachchan and worry about Dwarka Anand's blood pressure at the beginning itself, when you see his blood boil and bitterness at the unfairness of the system. Ajay Devgn looks a tad old for the age he plays but nothing like watching a man shed tears on screen to appreciate his performance, needless to say he does well. No one brings out your spite towards a negative character like Manoj Bajpayee. Kareena Kapoor, Amrita Rao, and Arjun Rampal lay their bits as usual. Nothing that sticks out as very bad or good.
Yet, Satyagraha stays interesting only because the issue is so close to home. Sure, you have seen it all - in films and in real life too. It manages to provoke you every once in a while because you do feel like slapping the arrogant policeman and your heart breaks when you see the hero do something self-destructive. Also, Satyagraha doesn't let its characters have it easy - they face opposition from outside and within their factions. Things do resolve themselves rather easily but the conflicts are brought up to point out that there are no easy solutions.
So engrossed is Satyagraha in making its point that they couldn't be bothered with technicalities like editing, cinematography, etc. Other than the fact that the screenplay is long-winded and takes a good two and a half hours to go through its business, there are things like sudden close-ups of actors, unnecessary songs that are extremely jarring, product placements and so on. However, there are times when the background score is subtle and invokes the intended emotion. At other times it is repetitive and too in-the-face for background music.
So, here we are, another 'message film aimed at the common man' later. You will clap when the villain is slapped, you will cheer at the heros' smallest victories and the stands they take. You will sit through the speeches even though they bore you, because you acknowledge the truth in them. Then what?
How about not bribing a law/admin official the next opportunity you are "required" to?
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ... SATYAGRAHA is an all-engrossing, compelling drama that mirrors the reality around us... full review
Thumbs up, by Nikhil Arora, Desi Martini : ...Satyagraha is a charged and intense drama guaranteed to move you as it's based on real events. Amitabh Bachchan and Manoj Bajpayee's performances make up for a weak script and execution. A solid watch, given its message.... full review
Thumbs up, Indicine : ...Satyagraha manages to make a mark in your conscience because of the important issues it talks about... full review
Thumbs up, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...The film has its flaws but it is successful in capturing the disgruntled, restless and enraged mood of the country,... full review
Thumbs up, by K N Gupta, SmasHits.com : ...Satyagraha' dialogues are precise and fantastic. Sachin Krishn's cinematography captures every sequence delicately and vividly. Songs and music are entertwined with the theme and plot of the movie... full review
So-So, by Anna MM Vetticad, annavetticadgoes2themovies : ...To buy this requires a huge suspension of disbelief if not a detachment from the Indian reality... full review
So-So, by Nikhil Kumar, Apun Ka Choice : ...Prakash Jha has got his finger on the pulse of the people,... full review
So-So, by Prathamesh Jadhav , Bollywood Life : ...All in all, director Prakash Jha’s Satyagraha is a film made with a noble intention to create an impact, but the not-so-tight execution of a flat storyline with loopholes the size of lunar craters leaves you with the empty feeling you get after watching a strictly okay commercial entertainer... full review
So-So, Daily Bhaskar : ... Despite many glaring loopholes, Satygraha is a watchable political thriller.... full review
So-So, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Prakash Jha has attempted a brave film... full review
So-So, by Neha Mathur, fullhyd.com : ...Satyagraha, are sleeker and more refined in terms of production design, but lacking in the art of the story.... full review
So-So, by Martin D'Souza,, Glamsham.com : ...While the movie does invoke in you some feelings, you do feel cheated that it does not attempt to answer the bigger question.... full review
So-So, by Vinayak Chakravorty, india today : ...Big B. It is a performance that virtually dominates every twist of mood in the narrative. ... full review
So-So, by Mohar Basu, koimoi : ...Satyagraha is an altruistic film with a clearly positive motive at heart.... full review
So-So, by Jaidev Hemmady, Movie Talkies : ...Though Prakash Jha makes a powerful point with the film, Satyagraha could have benefited from better execution.. - See more at: http://www.movietalkies.com/movies/reviews/20794/satyagraha#sthash.irwJsz1L.dpuf... full review
So-So, by Divya Solgama, MoviezADDA : ...over all this movie is an average combination of some 'Satya' performances and some 'Asatya' theme.... full review
So-So, by Karan Anshuman, Mumbai Mirror : ...Satyagraha succeeds at highlighting the problem but fails at achieving poignancy. ... full review
So-So, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...Prakash Jha’s Satyagraha is a political film that, for all its well-meaning bluster, neither stings nor scalds. It fails to hit the core of the truth that it seeks. ... full review
So-So, Now Running.com : ...Satyagraha is nothing but a superficial and half-baked attempt at putting forth a volatile socio-political issue... full review
So-So, by SUDHISH KAMATH, The Hindu : ...Jha paints a candid picture of the state of affairs behind the anti-corruption movement that rallied the youth... full review
So-So, by Srijana Mitra Das, Times of India : ...You may not like this movie if you avoid socio-political realities in cinema.... full review
So-So, by Rummana Ahmed , yahoo! India : ...‘Satyagraha’ manages to stir the latent patriotic fervor in its audience but is deeply flawed in its execution.... full review
Thumbs down, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...Things happen so easily in Prakash Jha’s Satyagraha... full review
Thumbs down, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ... SATYAGRAHA - A vague attempt to exploit a recent national issue, which is again made in Jha's same old set pattern, with no impressive solution for the problem... full review
Thumbs down, by Deepa Gahlot, cinemaah : ... If it weren’t for seasoned actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Manoj Bajpayee the film would have sunk into its own quicksand of good intentions and confused treatment.... full review
Thumbs down, by Khalid Mohamed, Deccan Chronicle : ... Prakash Jha -- a perennial political complaint box -- offers nothing new either by way of content or style.... full review
Thumbs down, by Resham Sengar , DNA : ... we can pin some hopes with the sequel that is if there is one in the pipeline.... full review
Thumbs down, by Deepa Deosthalee, Film Impressions : ...With an infuriating background score that keeps blaring "satyagraha, satyagraha" and a horrid sense of deja vu at every turn, it seems as though all parties involved have sleepwalked through this one.... full review
Thumbs down, by Ravina Rawal, FirstPost : ...Satyagraha sadly crumbles and fades with the weight of trying too hard.... full review
Thumbs down, by Johnson Thomas, Free Press Journal : ...The characters lack depth and the dialogues sound vacant and uninspiring. The narrative is uneven, the pacing – not exactly enlivening, the costuming – very wannabe and the music – thoroughly off-putting.... full review
Thumbs down, by Anupama Chopra, Hindustan Times : ...The film tries to say so much that it ends up saying very little.... full review
Thumbs down, by Anuj Kumar, In.com : ...Director Prakash Jha once again raids the headlines, this time turning his gaze on the growing public resentment towards the deep-rooted corruption in the system... full review
Thumbs down, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...Satyagraha, Prakash Jha's latest take on What Ails The Nation.... full review
Thumbs down, by Shubha Shetty-Saha, MiD DAY : ...More whimpering than a roar, this movie unfortunately induced yawns instead of any feeling of rebellion.... full review
Thumbs down, by Ankit Ojha , Planet Bollywood : ...With Satyagraha, what you see is a social message being colossally ruined in it's delivery. ... full review
Thumbs down, by Prasanna D Zore, Rediff : ...Satyagraha fails miserably in all three departments.... full review
Thumbs down, by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Reuters : ..."Satyagraha” is at best a dull film that doesn’t grip you.... full review
VvnDsenaFC: 1 f d bst movie i ever watch #satyagraha @SrBachchan @rampalarjun thnx for this movie @ajaydevgan
vishvas86: #Satyagraha explain how #AnnaHajare is pressurised, awesome movie
vishalalkeshsha: JANTA ROCKS.....SATYAGRAH ROCKS loved the movie
VikramG34897638: aaj maine film SATYAGRAH dekha, bahut badhiya laga.
vikram140gulati: A TRULY INSPIRATIONAL FILM - SATYAGRAHA http://vikram140.blogspot.in/2013/08/a-truly-inspirational-film-satyagraha.html#sthash.dSgQoDk4.uxfs via @sharethis
tweetfromRohit: #Satyagraha is an awesome movie !
tensi1: Satyagraha. What an inspiring movie. A must watch. Absolutely amazing. #mustwatch #corruption #satyagraha
swarup_bose: #Satyagraha a nice movie.. 1st half truly gripping, 2nd half bit chaotic.. succeeded in capturing the #corruption in our society...
sunnyyrathi87: Watched satyagraha today. Must watch movie highly recommended. Kudos to @SrBachchan @BajpayeeManoj @ajaydevgn. damdaar performances.
Sumantra_mukhrJ: JANATA ROCKS SATYAGRAHA ROCKS May it create a revolution around INDIA. A revolution BY, FROM & OF THE COMMON CITIZENS of India
Srishti_Shetty: Satyagraha is a movie MUCH NEEDED. A but slow , but then a 'should' watch it is.
sonusuraj: #Satyagrah Simply awesome. Must watch movie specifically for Youth. (y)
shrutipande9: Satyagraha!!! Amazing movie...hats off to mr bachchan @SrBachchan. Thank u for releasing such a movie dat wud create a spark in ppl!
shivendram1: The movie Satyagrah remarkable....Must sea frnds....
shaileshajare: #Satyagrah must watch good attempt by prakash jha
sayanta36752167: Satyagraha is totally awesome...uff what a movie... @SrBachchan @ajaydevgn @rampalarjun @BajpayeeManoj
saumyabhure: Satyagraha -a must watch....the true status of india depicted well...
Sarojlenka: Its a movie, got fixed easily. But fact is its tough to correct the corruption in the system called 'INDIA' #Satyagraha
santosjaiswal: Satyagrah !!!.... Good movie to watch.
sanjeev123gudia: #Satyagraha is a good movie.
sandeeppatrosrk: SatyaGrah And Madras Cafe --- Great Movies :-) Must Watch Movies
SagarCh711: Satyagrah nice movie
Roshnii26: Satyagraha excellent movie a must watch.
RIWAJB: satyagraha rocks
Ritikbest: #Satyagraha. A must watch movie for the Indian #Youth. A movie With a great conclusion (Y)
Rishu_chouhan: frnds vote for "SATYAGRAH" movie aweaome story for aginst poor gov. grand salute to all those acter n actrress sach me !"janta rocks"!
richikabhimta: Must watch movie #### Satyagraha
reviewpuram: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=209007655928033&set=a.151719001656899.1073741828.151284188367047 My review for #Satyagraha - 3.5/5 - An inspiring tale, that could have been better. Nevertheless, a noble effort!
RathodThakarshi: Satyagraha mast movie
rahul_sr: seen many movie, but never seen such type of response or clapping of viewers. #Satyagraha
rah_jad: #Satyagraha a good movie.. first half truly gripping, second half bit chaotic.. succeeded in capturing d turmoil in our society..
Prote_: #Satyagraha #Awesome #Motivating movie
prnprn89: Satyagraha ...tough to believe that it cud happen in real... D movie shakes you. ..
PriyaBhatia11: satyagrah is an awsm mv.
preranagoenka: Watched #Satyagraha twice already. @SrBachchan u always amaze me, nd @ajaydevgn u are one of the finest actors India ever produced.. RESPECT
Prashantmahaj1: #Satyagraha is a must watch movie.. Brilliant performances.
PaariJain: #Satyagrah amzin muvi... <3 (y)
OnkarNSingh: Satyagrah is not a moovy only it is a message to clean the corruption by electing the clean people in coming elections
Omjoshi77: satyagrah is awsome movieee.... and all actors are superb.... Its Revolution movie.... for india.....
nitin95: satyagrah awesome movie
nitin5388: Awesome movie. #satyagraha
na48islamabad: #Satyagraha is highly recommended for you all. #Revolution has begun,
maniyar_jinal: Satyagrah..its very nice movie and its just a starting...in future it will be come in real life....I wish ..@ajaydevgn @SrBachchan
MalhotraSaurabh: Satyagraha a good watch. Excellent performances by @SrBachchan @ajaydevgn @BajpayeeManoj, supported well by Kareena @rampalarjun @AmritaRao.
mak24_7: #Satyagrah, so nicely displays the helplessns of good people and the dark future that we, as a nation are approaching towards..!
l_p_k_ynwa: watched #Satyagraha today @ Jorhat....it was incredible
kunalultimate: Satyagraha - Weak story line supported brilliantly by the performances of its lead cast !!!
kunalk629: SATYAGRAH, playing revolution near you.... Jump to the revolution.. Just watch once.... You yourself will go for the second .......!!!!!!!
kptherebel: watched #satyagraha awesome acting and great muvi .. @ajaydevgn
kml13587: Raghu pati raghav raja ram .... N d one of d greatest movie against corruption ... #enthusiastic #satyagrah
KishoreRF: Just watched #Satyagraha movie, Brilliant performances by @ajaydevgn @rampalarjun and specially legend Sir @SrBachchan. :) #JantaRocks
Kishnani_T: #Satyagraha - What a movie! A must watch for everyone and each and every actor played their part very well
Khizrazmi: Started #SuperSunday with "Satyagrah" and will ends with Liverpool vs Manchester United and #ComedyNightsWithKapil!!
KhadijaMohd2: jus watched satyagrah.....a page turner...leaves an impact!! jus too good!! #Satyagraha
Keshapiggychops: Satyagraha amazing movie... raghupati raja ram gayal hai bhola insaan milh kar karneh hai kuch kaam....
kartikofficial: #Satyagraha What a movie!! Great Film ,one of the best of 2013......
KanishthaBothra: *SATYAGRAH* AMazing movie!! Ambitabh Bacchann - A True Actor . P.S. I Loved It :D
jayaraman_kal: Satyagraha-wonderful script, dialogue, acting & music. It was a different experience.Must watch.
jaindeepak2008: Satyagrah is really a must watch movie.
iTs_rahulpatel: Satyagraha : A movie you should not miss. http://www.quora.com/Rahul-Patel-6/Inside-a-Wanderers-Mind/Satyagraha-A-movie-you-should-not-miss?srid=pQya&share=1
HarshitaVerma: #Satyagraha An honest movie. One of the best releases of the year. Without over the top declarations. Loved @SrBachchan and @rampalarjun :)
gomes_olivia: Yesterday saw the movie Satyagraha.......... good one
GeeksGyan: #MovieReview : #Satyagrah सभी किरदारों की सधी हुई एक्टिंग.... काफी द्रश्य बहुत ही अच्छे लगे... दिल को छूने... https://www.facebook.com/hindubharatiya/posts/646641495354039
Funky_Sakshh: Satyagraha is an Epic movie...... Really a heart touching.....!!!!
deepu_kamboj: Watched Satyagrah with AAP team CHD.. Inspired from Anna Andolan and AAP
darina428: Satyagrah is nice movie:-) :-)
Coolvipulgoyal: Janta Rocks!!!!!!! -Satyagrah #genei
chandnisambtani: Satyagraha! Awesome movie! Jaago india jaago! #superb
c2ashish: Satyagraha rocks....
bp_sinha: watch must movie "SATYAGRAHA" & compare with present situation.
bhagyashree_9: #Satyagraha (Y) #amazing #superb #powerful #fabulous movie !! :D #SuperSunday :D
Barkhastic: Satyagrah is truly Awesome...Picturization of Anna Hazare Momement in a dramatic way...Loved the Movie!
balaji71607937: Fantastic Movie Satyagraha.. — feeling good
ashokbishnoi57: satyagraha is a very good film. It will be crose totel 100 cr.
Ashishzaware: just watched Satyagrah. It's a best movie to watch. Every indian should watch it.
ashishgoel78: Satyagrah a wonderful movie ...
AnushkaKarnawat: Satyagraha. A must watch (y)
anuradhakapur: #RangDeBasanti was a revolution and #Satyagraha is just a follow up. Hats off to the revolutionaries...
ankit1989: Watched movie #Satyagraha today...Score 3.5 out of 5.
Angelenoabbha: saw #Satyagrah wonderfull movie really i just love it #greatwork
aneel07: Satyagraha was just a superb movie..
amitIJVerma: 'Satyagraha' is inspiring and thought provoking ...excelent performance from @SrBachchan @ajaydevgn and manoj vajpayee. Wat a movie!!
alshiamey: #Satyagraha is a very thought provoking movie.It raised many questions & has a very strong starcast.Strongly recommended
AkshayM03940860: Satyagraha Awesome!
Adityaakj: Satyagrah us not a movie but a message to young India, whole India, message of law of the people, for the people by the people. A MUST WATCH
abhiram_kr: #satyagrah A beautiful sight for sober eyes.
abhijind2012: Satyagraha what a good movie
abhabhakoo: Manoj bajpai in Satyagraha is awesome. A good movie. Must watch. All actors have done a good job.
aaporva_mahajan: Just watched #satyagraha gr9 movie super inspiring
AAPBelgaum: "@karinasood Considring its social relevnce&success at d Box Ofice,#Satyagraha needs2be made tax free,so more pple can watch.#Satyagraha4AAP
_DesiGirl: And Prakash Jha recreates the magic yet again. Loved Satyagrah. A revisit to the Anna Hazare movement it was. Thumbs up!
vijayrajput: #Satyagraha could be much better on story front but still passing able to pass message to viewers.
sd_iflex: 'Satyagraha' is a large scale,complex production. Performances are competent,but the film really drags in the second half.
prem_aggie: Nothing special about the movie Satyagraha! (*¡*)
mohanpreet: #Satyagraha: Brilliant acting and thought wasted by a highly stretched and seen-before execution. Big B and Manoj Bajpai shine. 2.5*.
maulikgala: Satyagraha #Rating : 3 * * *
gauravindoriya: #satyagrah niether grt nor bad movie....it's an average film...
esamskriti: Saw movie Satyagraha. 1st half capitvating, 2nd gave me a heavy head. Concept of movie good execution not as.... http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Gandhi,-Ahimsa-and-Christianity--1.aspx
bada_tweet: The 2 standouts of #satyagraha, Amitabh Bachchan and Manoj Bajpayee. Avg movie. Good for a one time watch
aneri308: Satyagraha wasnt all that bad
aditi80588: #satyagraha okiesh bt overhyped
srv_06: Disappointed again.. #satyagrah as bad as #rajneeti.... Prakash jha's movies gettng low day by day. @SrBachchan
Sonal19729163: Feel disappointed as Satyagraha did not meet my expectation.
Shraddha48: #Satyagrah is an exaggerated yet disillusioned movie.
sahilmjain: Satyagrah was utter waste. Nodoubt brilliant performances by AB, AD, MB and kareena, but no grip on plot/story and lame depiction of story.
rippling_joy: Satyagrah movie- A story from Anna's movement upto the formation of Aam Admi Party. Bad music, no twists, no entertainment.. Avoid it..!
rhooda007: Satyagrah... Kya flop movie h ... Don't know bollywood m kya ho rha h .. Total money waste ...
pratikmodi18: #Satyagraha is such a confused direction. No concrete concept.Prakash Jha has completely lost the touch. Could hv been a much better movie
Oh_papaji: #satyagraha disappointing
Maddykhanhere: Well Satyagraha was so disappointing
lazysuperstar: agree RT @sanjay_dixit: #Satyagraha turned out to be a disappointment in the end. Promising beginning, but complete confusion in the end....
kaustubhonline: Watched ''Satyagraha".... BORED!!
ishankonn: Crowd has always been a goose bumping device in Prakash Jha's movies but it cannot do away with a hogging story #Satyagraha is disappointing
iLoveiDevices: #Bollywood #Satyagraha liked the movie but it doesn't convey any message. Anna Haze movement flopped.Hungry n poor leader can't do anything
hirenantani: #satyagrah as like anna movement. Some emotions, mor drama, best people but mor confusion, at last fizzeled out, failed to create impact
dhillonaman: Satyagrah is complete disaster... Prakash Jha looked like he lost track somewhere in Aarakshan...but he has... https://www.facebook.com/Dhillon.aman/posts/10151651741682633
arunangshupaul: Sadly I am giving #Satyagraha a miss. i am sorry to avoid a Prakash Jha movie a miss at the theatres after a long... https://www.facebook.com/arunangshu.paul/posts/10201884620347310
archthegr8: #Satyagraha: The dumbest thing I've seen in a long time. So stupid and it makes the people's movement look so... https://www.facebook.com/archfr/posts/700655923281809
Anandbhan_10: watched SATYAGRAHA.unsatisfactory script dialogue.saw its extended version on various news channels abt 2 yrs ago. so nothin new
agartthahlade: #Satyagraha kareema Kapoor was plastic, and both she and Ajay Devgun clearly phoning in their lines. Amitabh Bachhan miscast as made 1/2
Aagan86: Montonous, directionless and a soft PR for Aam Admi Party ahead of Delhi elections, watch Satyagrah at your own risk. 1/5 stars.
_saurabhmishra: #Satyagraha is too slow & bit boring also. I guess not scripted well.
This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: One tight slap and Lathi-charges - some of which turn gory. A brutal road accident.
- Language: Clean. The F-word appears in writing thought the F is #-ed out.
- Nudity & Sexual content: A couple of kisses, a mild making-out scene.
- Concept: Common man vs. the corrupt system
- General Look and Feel: Serious political statement tone.
![[Facebook page of Satyagraha]](/static/images/icons/facebook_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Twitter account of Satyagraha]](/static/images/icons/twitter_small.png){kind=icon}
![[YouTube channel of Satyagraha]](/static/images/icons/youtube_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Wikipedia page of Satyagraha]](/static/images/icons/wiki_small.png){kind=icon}
![[IMDB Page of Satyagraha]](/static/images/icons/imdb_small.png){kind=icon}
Comments (26)
Personally I find Prakash Jhalak films pretty flat, only exception being Rajneeti. That Rajneeti worked is thanks to the biggest and ancient epic Mahabharata on which it was based. Otherwise it would have also met the same fate as all other films.
Sorry for typos in earlier post. The iPad is too smart for me.
@Fan hmmm...I know what you mean. Though I don't mind them. I liked Chakravyuh and Gangajal too. :D
I was looking fwd to the movie but now will reconsider watching it.
I second the thoughts shared by Fan. Praksh Jha just picks up some social issue and makes a pretty flat movie. Can't watch any of his movies after Aarakshan. All his movies are pretty basic except Raajneeti. He made Chakravyuh which I didn't see, but we already have marvellous Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi on that issue.
the movie is made in a oversimplified method,,,,which a simpleman can easily understand unlike madras cafe which need brain to understand....
The political aspect in ignored a litl bit and only the revolution side is shown....may be a litl more research by prakash jha would have made the movie much better....
Nice review Meetu , i want to ask u aquestion , with the release of serious films each week , do u think the bollywood ideology of moviemaking is finally growing up ?. Even if the makers are failing to execute it atleast they are trying.
The movie is in a very simple form,,,,unlike madras cafe which needs brain to understand,,,,a litl bit more research by prakash jha could have made it better,,,,the game plans of politiance are litl bit missing....
...throughout the movie I empathizes with Amita h's character... In fact felt a couple of times to slap manoj bajpayi real hard ...and in the end felt good...and then I read a few reviews ..and agreed with most of the flaws that were pointed out ...so if the motive is to enjoy a simple good/bad story with decent performances satyagrah can be watched but in case idea is to get intellectually stimulated or or motivated to start practicing it the moment you are out of theatre...then it can be skipped... Btw I actullay got motivated post watching RDB ...
Surprised not to find mention of two gory scenes under the violence column. One the brutal accident and the other being the bodies of murdered policemen.
gud work amitabh bachchan nice movie
@Shaivi Yeah, maybe you can wait until it's out on TV/DVD
@kapil Well, true. But, I don't think I can call Satyagraha flat. And anyhow, just because we have a marvellous film on a topic, should other people not make another film on it at all?
@Anup yeah, the complications are kept out. I guess the point was to get us worked up without overwhelming us with how difficult it is :D
@guddu Thank you! Well, maybe. I some times feel, such films were always made, they just didn't get the exposure that they do get now.
@Vishal I guess if such a film makes you feel for or against some characters they have done their job, haven't they?
@mac thanks for pointing out. I will add them immediately
@ankit :D
(((Spoiler Alert)))Generally Prakash Jha's films boils ones blood but this one is pretty flat. The film is loosely based on the recent past and tries to explain why Arvind Kejrival formed an "Aam Aadmi Party".
But IMHO the attempt is pretty lame. No character ever shines in the movie. Only Manoj Bajpai does "some" justice to his role.
@Nishant Interestingly, I loved the fact that no character shines; that there are many heroes; that there was equal weight to almost all the main characters. But, yeah, I can understand why you thought it was lame, because it is rather simplistic.
Watched the film. I must admit that it was a massive snore festival. I had a tough time staying alive despite a brilliant cast, my favourite being Mr. Manoj Bajpayee but all others being equally fantastic. However they were let down by the script and direction.
Heavily influenced by Anna Hazare, AAP, Kiran Bedi. Shades of Singham (slow motion appearance of Mr. Ajay Devgn when home minister's brother is arrested), lots of shades of Richard Attenborough's Gandhi.
And what about the kissing scene? Not at all needed. And despite Ms. Kareena not wanting to do it why was it forced in the most inelegant manner on the audience? Idem for item number - totally imposed on audience.
my pleasure.
@Fan ouch!
Direction: 2
Story: 3
Lead Actors: 4
Character Artists: 3
Dialogues: 3
Screenplay: 2
Music Director: 0
Lyrics: 0
- See more at: http://wogma.com/movie/satyagraha-review/#sthash.VqyavFia.dpuf
@Suman yep, I'm not surprised.
Meetu! I used to agree with every review of yours but this thime, I am very disappointed with your review. Prakash Jha is a fine director and I have liked all of his movies but Satyagraha is just a flat moive. It has nothing which is different or unique. The performances by Ajay, Amitabh and Kareena are below the mark. The love affair between Ajay and Kareena is just our of my understanding. The "bhook hartal" by Amitabh in the end seems more irritating.
@rizwan oh. Thank you for your feedback. As I acknowledge in the review, I like such type of films.
@Meetu, actually we were impressed by the quality of the acting overall. It reminded me that all of these people can be extremely good actors, but seldom get the chance to be.
We also thought the story, while clearly a melodramatic "little man against Big Power" story, went places a comparable American film would never have considered, and within its storytelling limits was a smart and fairly believable look at the rise, splintering and partial fall of protest movements. A few of our members, who'd been active in American antiwar and social justice causes when they were younger, really felt this movie got it right, in the same way Rang De Basanti did.
Sure, the plot's pure Capra-corn for about two-thirds of the way - right down to the hero's Dark Moments of the Soul before he rises back up against the Corrupt Big Bad Guys! But we all felt that the story carried us along to the final third which Frank Capra would have never dared to try, and a hopeful but not heroic ending that clearly pointed the finger how much the Government needs cleaning up. (Do Indian movies make the corruption obvious for popular consumption, or is it really that out in the open?)
Anyway, we liked it a lot, and I didn't think it would be worth looking at.
Oh, one last thing: What does "The BMD is a communal party" (that was the translation Netflix gave us) mean? We Americans are confused....
@TimELiebe I am sorry, can you elaborate on the "The BMD is a communal party"? I don't understand what it is a translation of.
I think it's Arjun Rampal's "street element" revolutionary who tells Ajay Devgn that the "BMD Party" approached them offering support, and Devgn's character originally rejects them with that line, Meetu.
They were later described as "Nationalist troublemakers", if that helps any?
Someday, I should probably just break down and learn to speak Hindi....
@TimeLiebe aah. While I understand the phrase conceptually, I am in no way qualified to define it technically. Wouldn't even know where to begin.
Having lived in the US for a few years though, I find it both unsurprising and yet fascinating that you didn't understand the phrase.
Sorry, I know I am being of little help here.
No problem, Meetu - I think it's one of those things like some of our comments about US politicians that make sense to us, but no sense to anybody outside the US.
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