Commendable performances lost in a weak story

There is no novelty in the storyline, nor is there conviction in the characterisation, which reduces Times Movies’ Kurukshetra to plain ordinary fare. Director Mahesh Manjrekar who is also credited with the story and screenplay of the film once again falters and doesn’t live up to the high standards he set for himself with Vaastav. The only saving graces are the powerful performances by the lead artistes, which should help the film run for a few more days at the b-o.

The storyline of the film is too cliched -- about good triumphing over evil. The film is expected to do well in Mumbai and Maharashtra but should find few takers in other centres. Moreover, the dialogue is too lewd and pedestrian at times, which will not go well with family audiences. The film is primarily aimed at the front benchers.

Prithviraj Singh (Sanjay Dutt) is an upright and honest police officer who fights corruption. He is transferred 14 times in 10 years of service for his penchant to cleanse the system. Finally, he is posted to Mumbai, the hub of the underworld elements and bootleggers. Prithviraj find very little time for his wife, Anjali, (Mahima Chowdhury) as he is too preoccupied with his work. He faces the brunt of corrupt politicians for the first time when the son of chief Minister Baburao Deshmukh (Om Puri) is arrested in a rape case. He refuses to set the culprit on bail and the CM decides to take Prithviraj head on. The girl is killed in connivance with hospital staff but her statement to the police is the only string to the prosecution of the culprit.
Meanwhile, Prithviraj is suspended for the custodial death of a petty thief.

He is replaced by Patankar (Pramod Moutho) as the ACP who is close to the CM. The leader of opposition, Sambhaji Yadav (Shivaji Satam) promises help to Prithvi in his mission to nail the CM’s son. Prithvi’s family is hounded and terrorised by the CM’s henchmen, which forces him to take them to safer haven. Erstwhile bootlegger Iqbal Pasina (Mukesh Rishi) becomes an ardent fan of Prithvi,despite severe bashings in the past.

There is also an attempt on the life of Prithvi to intimidate him from deposing against the CM’s son in the court. The injured Prithvi is assured of all help by Sambhaji Yadav who promises to take the file himself to the court. But like all true politicians, Sambhaji strikes a deal with Baburao for sharing power in exchange for the file of evidence. Sambhaji is made the deputy CM. Once out of hospital, Prithvi decides he’s had enough of believing in politicians. He storms into the CM’s bungalow and eliminates the CM, his deputy and son on a Dusshera Day, signifying the victory of Ram over the demons.

Sanjay Dutt comes up with a very powerful performance once again though his role could have been handled better by the director. But Sanjay has done all he can to bring justice to the role. He is excellent in action and in his portrayal of the honest, wronged cop. Mahima Chowdhury once again proves she can deliver the best if given a chance. Although the role doesn’t have much scope for romance, owing to the limitations of the story, she has come out with a very inspired and matured performance.

Om Puri as the CM is too loud at times but does a fair job. The character could have been underplayed by the director to a great extent. Shivaji Satam lends adequate support. Salil Ankola makes his presence felt. The real scene stealer in the entire film is Sayaji Shinde. He has truly portrayed the role of a police constable and highlights the problems of the force in a lighter vein. He is a treat to watch with his antics and raises laughter. It seems Mahesh Manjrekar has worked a lot on Sayaji’s role.

Director Manjrekar has chosen a very routine storyline for the venture that lacks novelty. The treatment of the story and the characterisation which one looks for in Mahesh Manjrekar film is missing. Towards the end, he seems to have lost control of the proceedings, and the film ends in an abrupt manner. But he manages to extract very good performances from his artistes for which he must receive special mention. Dialogue by KK Singh seems to exceed all limits, though the censors have overlook it. The expletives used by an officer of IPS rank with his wife are atrocious.

Musically, Himesh Reshammiya has done a fair job, though the songs are not chartbusters. The one by Sukhvinder Singh has been composed and picturised well.

Padmaraj Nair

Other>>>>