CHAKRAVYUH Movie Review

Chakravyuh is a Bollywood political thriller directed by Prakash Jha starring
Arjun Rampal, Abhay Deol, Manoj Bajpai, Kabir Bedi Anjali Patil and Esha Gupta...


Movie Review: Chakravyuh
 (Social/Drama) 4 Out of 5 Stars NDTVMovies Review


Business Rating: 1.5/5boxofficecapsule

Release Date : October 24, 2012
(initial release)

Genres: Action, Political thriller, Drama

Director : Prakash Jha

Cast:Arjun Rampal, Abhay Deol, Anjali Patil, Esha Gupta, Om Puri, Manoj Bajpayee 


CHAKRAVYUH Is Noble Idea Gone Completely Wrong 

Pluses:
Manoj Bajpayee is again top notch, Anjali Patil makes an impressive debut, Om Puri is as good as ever, Great story idea

Minuses: 
Not Arjun Rampal again messes up an amazing role, unnecessary songs, dialogues are inconsistent, lengthy climax
  
*Watch it for highlighting prevailing social evil*

Detail Analysis:

"Becket" beckons Bollywood once again. The immortal French play by Jean Anouilh was furnished with a sensitive renewability by Hrishikesh Mukherjee in the 1973 movie Namak Haraam and then again by Govind Nihalani in Dev (2004).

Now the story of two friends, separated by caste, creed and ideology, who are torn apart by their irreconcilable socio-political differences, is given a seriously spunky spin by Prakash Jha in Chakravyuh.


Prakash Jha film is always a commentary on social issue in a way or other.  This time with "Chakravyuh" Jha tries to highlight one of the gravest social problems of our country - Naxalism.  

Watching Film takes you through various characters in order to portray various sides of this domestic civil war and unrest. How police and government machinery failed in last two decades to address such an issue. How a large population in country deprived from every bit of progress and development.

In terms of performance, after award worthy outings in "Gangs Of Wasseypur" and "Chittagaong", Manoj Bajpayee packs a punch in an intense and tough character.  Newcomer Anjali Patil makes a strong impression and looks here to stay. Arjun Rampal again falls short of expectations in a very pivotal part and he goes overboard formost of the running time. Abhay Deolis good only in parts and fails to imbibe character's mannerism and demands. 

Music is unnecessary and though few songs like "Mehngai" goes with the narrative, their lack of mass appeal works deterrent in flow of the film. Cinematography is average and couple of good action scenes keep audience glued to the seats. Editing is poor as film would had been easily shorter by 10-15 minutes. 

But Prakash Jha this time around fails as director and all the hard work by writer Anjum Rajbali falls flat due to poor casting and inconsistent performances. But still film deserves a watch if you are interested in watching about the biggest domestic security issue. Neither an entertainer nor a good issue based film, all in all a good opportunity wasted. Another dud from Prakash Jha after last disappointment 
"Aarakshan". 

Chakravyuh does have its unhinged moments but Prakash Jha quickly reimposes a sense of ongoing drama and impending catastrophe which keeps the audiences' heartbeats racing dangerously.

The editing by Santosh Mandal could have been more austere. But the loose moments never overpower the film's strong convictions and powerful story structure.

Chakravyuh ends with Mr Jha's voiceover warning us of growing inequality in the Indian social structure whereby 25 families control a majority of the nation's wealth while a majority of the people live on Rs.70 per day.

Would the Rs.70 wage earner be able to afford the Rs.200 required to watch this film?

Would his life change? The process of social awakening that started with the cinema of V. Shantaram and B.R. Chopra has come a full circle.

Now if only cinema could change mindsets. Source.boxofficecapsule/NDTV Movie Reviews

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