Sometimes just one scene sets the tone for the entire film and acts as a catalyst that inspires you to watch the entire film. Barely ten minutes into #PrakashJha’s 2003 film #Gangaajal, starring one of my favourite contemporary actors #AjayDevgn is a scene that does just that. Watch how Devgn as Superintendent of Police, Amit Kumar in a white shirt confronts a corrupt police official and books him for corruption. He looks lean and intense, upright and fearless and emotes the character effortlessly. Also look out for that very unique gait where his sinewy forearms are stiff and held at a forty-five-degree angle to his body as we walks across. https://youtu.be/DjqVWfQVxDg
ASHOK’s FIVE reasons to watch a throwback to 17 years ago and one of my favourite and so underrated films #Gangaajal. The film is based on the Bhagalpur blinding of 31 under-trials by a bunch of policemen. The policemen found unprecedented support from ordinary people and inspired #PrakashJha to make this film. The film stands out for an ultra-realistic portrayal of policemen in the Indian context – they are sandwiched between the demands of an unrelenting duty and the Machiavellian manoeuvres of local politicians.
1. #AjayDevgn puts in a fabulous performance as SP Amit Kumar as he takes charge of Tezpur district and finds his team either loyal or scared of local politican Sadhu Yadav (Mohan Joshi) and his son, Sundar Yadav (Yashpal Sharma). He is an upright officer caught between a corrupt superior, a father and son duo who hold the district to ransom and his own police force that is saddled with corruption and inaction. His intensity is expressed through his eyes, the manner in which he lights up his cigarette ever so often and the body language; there are very few physical fights that he gets involved in. #GracySingh plays his wife in a role that does not do much and that is perhaps one failing of the film. On the other hand, #MohanAgashe as the DIG is a class act as always. Amidst all this, Devgn stands out for his empathetic handling of the situations. In particular, the manner in which he takes a call on the truant Baccha Yadav and puts his trust in him is a wonderful sequence. He also puts in some signature dialogues for good measure – sample the one he tells Sadhu Yadav during the raid at his home “Hamaari chai bahut kadvi hoti hai”
2. Although the film is shot in Wai in Maharashtra, Prakash Jha manages to capture a realistic milieu of Bihar very well. Cinematographer Arvind K is brilliant, and the film overall stands out for its editing, shooting and acting. #Gangaajal was one of the first films to contain abusive language in its dialogues well before the OTT revolution came about.
3. Mainstream Hindi cinema has since seen quite a few Bihar centric films. Haasil in 2003 had Tigmanshu Dhulia and Irrfan in leading roles; Prakash Jha made Apaharan in 2005. Then there was Sehar in 2005 again with Arshad Warsi and followed by the critically acclaimed Omkara in 2006 where Vishal Bharadwaj played up the Othello story. Anurag Kashyap kept the trend going in 2012 with the Gangs of Wasseypur editions. #Gangaajal also makes the most of some ingenious terms – “Balandar”, ‘Gentleman”,” Kahe fire ho rahe hain” and “Half Mind”. Also watch out for an eminently forgettable item number by Manyata Dutt.
4. The film stands out for some first rate acting. Besides Devgn, both the villains make for special mention. #MohanJoshi is the quintessential oily and rustic landlord and he calls himself the “Betaaj Badshah” of the district. #YashpalSharma plays his son Sundar Yadav and he is at his menacing best. If Sadhu is all about sly looks and oily mannerisms, Sundar plays the perfect foil as the violent son. Then there is #MukeshTiwari in one of his best performances as Baccha Yadav who turns against his mentor and sacrifices everything to prove his mettle. He declares “Hamse galti hua hai magar hum galat aadmi nahi hai”. The scene inside the jail where he beats up the thugs and runs to fetch the metaphorical gangaajal is another visually memorable scene.
Daya Shankar Pandey plays Mangani Ram who stops the bus to collect hafta and is promptly suspended by the SP. The story arc where he tries putting up a caste card and fails and then opens a tea stall and then redeems himself his wonderfully written.
One of the most realistic characters is played by #Akhilendra Mishra who plays the oily, slouching cop DSP Bhurelal. He pulls up the sampadak of the local newspaper who rebuffs him with a memorable line “Yeh settle hone wale afsar nahi lagte”
5. I think one of the best reasons for watching #Gangaajal is the manner in which it depicts the challenges that ordinary police folk face in the line of duty in the country. The system is not supportive; there is rampant corruption and the stress of constant demands of the job. Somewhere in the film, Baccha Yadav’s wife almost taunts the policemen asking them why they do this job with constant fear. Fear of the goons on one side, superiors on the other and sometimes just fear of losing self-respect. Very poignant summary of the situation!
#PrakashJha has been an institution of sorts churning out realistic and impactful films over the years that include Mrityudand (1997), Damul(1985), Apaharan(2005), Rajneeti(2010) and Satyagraha(2013). The sequel of sorts to #Gangaajal though that he made in 2016 with #PriyankaChopra #JaiGangaajal bombed at the box office.
I am going with a 4 on 5 for #Gangaajal. While the world is currently discussing atrocities that the police are inflicting on citizens, here is a throwback to a film where the ordinary people actually rallied in favour of their policemen!
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