Product Description RANG DE BASANTI is a story about the youth of India today.A young, London based film- maker chances upon the diaries of her grandfather, who served in the British police force in India during the freedom struggle. Excited about these memoirs, she makes plans to shoot a film on the Indian revolutionaries mentioned in the diaries. She comes down to Delhi, and casts a group of five friends to play the pivotal roles of these revolutionaries.However, products of modern India, the five youngsters initially refuse to be part of the project, as they dont identify with these characters from the past. Not surprising, considering that theyre part of a generation of Indians that believes in consumerism. To them issues like patriotism and giving ones life for ones beliefs is the stuff stuffy text- books are made of. They would rather party than be patriots.In the film both the 1930s British India and the India Today run parallel and intersect with each other at crucial points. As the film reaches its resolution the line between past and present blurs, as they become one in spirit.The film changed the face of how youth looks at their rights, their duties and what rebel means to them! Review Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra merges two plots in RANG DE BASANTI. The first is about a group of friends, their bonding, the carefree lifestyle they lead. The second plot pertains to the past, when freedom fighters sacrificed their lives during the pre-independence era. Without doubt, Mehra's intentions are noble, since portions in the film do succeed in pricking your conscience.Mehra draws parallels between Indians ruled by the British and Indians ruled by corrupt politicians today. The message is subtle at first, but echoes piercingly before it reaches its finale. The transition of the five friends from meaningless to meaningful existence is done brilliantly.You expect Aamir Khan to deliver yet another astounding performance in RANG DE BASANTI and he does, but it's not Aamir alone that you applaud in the film. Of course, Aamir gets into the skin of the character and delivers a knockout performance from start to end, but the film has more gems when it comes to performances: Siddharth [excellent], Atul Kulkarni [fantastic], Soha Ali Khan [a complete revelation; efficient], Kunal Kapoor [natural] and Sharman Joshi [powerful].Alice Patten is brilliant and besides delivering a flawless performance, her style of speaking Hindi is sure to win a lot of hearts. Madhavan is likeable. Waheeda Rehman is graceful as ever. Both Om Puri and Anupam Kher dont get much scope. Kiron Kher is exceptional yet again. Mohan Agashe, Steven Mckintosh, K.K. Raina and Lekh Tandon are adequate.On the whole, RANG DE BASANTI will have its share of advocates and adversaries. A well-made film, it caters more to the elite and the thinking viewer than the aam junta or the masses. --platform47.comFrom my point of view a almost flawless movie. Its a story of today's young generation. there is one line by Aamir khan I liked ""you have two ways, one is sit back and watch what ever is happening, and the second one is getup and take the responsibility to change the system. really it says all. Its movie i will keep watching many more times. --platform47.com
N**1
A Powerful and Heart-Warming Must-See
This movie is about a young woman from England who comes to Indian on her own to make a Documentary about her Grandfather's Diary written in the 1920s about the Indian Independence. She chooses a group of friends to assist her with the project, who believe that the Revolution had nothing to do with them and their current lives in the India of today. Through the process, the find that not only do they have much in common with the characters they play in the film, but that they too must make a stand for what they believe it. It was one of the most beautiful and moving films I have seen in some time, and had a lot of humor mixed in between the powerful images and messages. I would recommend this film highly to anyone, even non-fans of Bollywood. Another stunning performance by Aamir Kahn.
M**N
SEE THIS MOVIE!!
This is one of the best movies I've seen in some time!! I always liked Aamir Khan, but now I am a total fan!! I love Sharukh Khan, he is handsome, whimsical, a good actor, endearing......but Aamir Khan is an actor's actor! I also saw "Gajini" recently, and was blown away at his range. This movie is a great look at the younger generation of Indians and the angst they have along with any other group of young people you might pick around the world. They are carefree, happy go lucky, and don't take life too seriously until a young British woman comes to India to make a film about their history. What happens shakes up their lives forever. I use this film in my classroom as well. It's a wonderful, entertaining, and life changing film. See it.
A**H
Aamir Khan hates India
It's an anti-India movie disguised as something else, beware.
S**N
A wakeup call from the disenfranchised
This is a brilliant movie which superimposes the atrocities of British occupation of India with that of modern India frought with corruption and oppression. The key message is of course if you don't like what is going on in your government get involved and perhaps change it from within. The teachings of Gandhi of peaceful non-violent non-cooperation and "resist not evil" seem hardly effective in solving the corruption of government in India or the U.S. especially when peaceful protest is suppressed and even outlawed. No one of course condones the actions of these 5 youth who have awakened. But the time is coming when the disenfranchised rise up and over-thrown their oppressors whether it is a fascist government or fake democracy, and some will martyr themselves to awake their fellow countryman to permanent change.
J**E
Subtitles missing
Rang De Basanti is a very excellent film! I originally rented it from Netflix and was so blown away I had to purchase it. I am from the USA, but am a big fan of films from India. I have watched many and bought quite a few. I say this so that it is clear that I am not a first time purchaser. I purchased an "all region" version with English subtitles. Although I am used to innacurate translations, I must say that I am very disappointed with this particular DVD. They dubbed in Hindi (I think) OVER some of the English parts and there weren't any subtitles for these parts of the movie. Other parts of the movie just didn't have ANY subtitles, and I don't mean a line here or there but large sections. As I said, I LOVE this movie, but English speakers beware. I don't remember if there were any Region 1's available, but if so, buy those!
D**S
A brilliant Hindi film
A brilliant Hindi film, though the plot device upon which the second half of the film depends, is somewhat weakly introduced to the overall plot.to the extent that some may say is a bit unfair to the unsuspecting viewer. Nevertheless, it is well worth buying this remarkable film to see exactly what I mean. Few Western films could manage to keep ones attention for as long as this movie is, so all things considered it is undeniably excellent.
K**R
MUST WATCH!!
I can't stress this enough. This is an absolute masterpiece of a film! I loved every moment of it! Will teach you an important life lesson: stand up for what is just and true, you must be brave and take the first step when no one else seems willing...
S**E
one of the best movie
This is one of the best movie I have ever watched. Imposing the work,the concept of freedom fighters in todays corrupt India...story line is fabulous, acting is great, songs are wonderful. Aamir Khan has done an excellent job with comedy and serious role. Rest of the actors have done justice to their role. I rather not give away the story. I have already watched this movie 3 times and will watch often..it's a got to have movie..
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