Taran Adarsh reviews the much anticipated Halla Bol and here are some excerpys from the review:
Rajkumar Santoshi raises one pertinent issue with HALLA BOL. A lot has been said and written about the film bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Jessica Lal murder case. Does HALLA BOL attempt to recreate the ghastly incident on celluloid? More on that later!
What's noteworthy is that Santoshi succeeds in stirring and pricking your conscience. The accomplished storyteller, who started off with a bang with GHAYAL, DAMINI and GHATAK, films that raised a voice and issues, lost his touch in between, although he appealed greatly in THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH in the intervening period. With HALLA BOL, Santoshi is back with what he's best at -- hard-hitting drama.
hat starts off as a movie about a self-obsessed star changes tracks within 20 minutes of the start, when the rich, spoilt brats shoot a young girl at a well-attended party and everyone stands there as mute spectators. The sequence is simply hair-raising! The gradual change in Ajay's attitude is also well built and the film actually gathers momentum at the intermission point when Ajay decides to testify against the culprits.
But the story actually takes off after the intermission when Ajay, aided by Pankaj Kapur, wages a war against the unscrupulous elements.
The sequence at the minister's palatial residence, when Ajay urinates on the carpet, is an outstanding, clapworthy sequence. The viewers would go in a frenzy at this sequence! Note another scene: The media persons are grilling Ajay if his wife has walked out on him and Vidya shoots back, giving the media a fitting reply. Note yet another sequence: The corrupt minister's sidekick [Abhay Bhargava] trying to bribe Pankaj Kapur and Pankaj's reply. And here's another gem: Pankaj Kapur's lengthy outburst when Ajay lies in the hospital. Brilliant sequences all, which bear the stamp of a genius!
However, the film can do with some trimming in the second hour. A few sequences can be trimmed for a much stronger impact. Also, the climax could've been more powerful.
Anjan Srivastava manages to create an impact. Abhay Bhargava is efficient. The actress enacting the role of the victim's sister is very good.
The film has a host of stars making appearances, which include Tusshar Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Sridevi and Boney Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Neeraj Vora and Aarti Chhabria.
On the whole, HALLA BOL is a powerful film that has its heart in the right place. At the box-office, HALLA BOL has the power to grow with a strong word of mouth.
Great movie, the message should in the movie is great.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 11, 2008 6:37 AM | Permalink to Comment