Review of Rising.. Mangal Pandey

I managed to see Rising some days back at Rex cinema in Bangalore.. this was my first movie in quite a while & Aamir Khan's in 4 years..!..

Needless to say Aamir Khan doesnt disappoint.. he is revolutionary incarnate as Mangal Pandey, his eyes, his face convey all the emotions & bring to life this long forgotten freedom fighter.
Toby Stephens as Capt Gordon is excellent & is unbelievably good in the last scene where he tries to defend Mangal.

There are also grey areas in the movie, esp the two heroines Rani & Amisha whose characters arent very well developed. Also some songs, esp the Rasiya one can be easily removed from the movie since it dampens the proceedings. Rahman's music is also OK, but could have been better.

But all in all a very good attempt by Ketan Mehta to bring to life a long forgotten historical figure & yes Aamir Khan (good to see you..!!)

The Rising.. Mangal Pandey

Rising is all set to hit the screens on 12 August.. & is the most awaited movie of the year.
It has already been premiered at Locarno festival..
The reviews from there havent been very good though.. read here

Betting has already begun for the movie, whether it will be a hit/flop etc... bookies have been to Locarno for the movie & have predicted that the Rising will be a flop..!...

Lots of reasons given..
1. Ketan Mehta's awful record as film maker. (Maya Memsaab, Oh Darling yeh hai India etc)
2. Period films generally havent done well in India.. (Bose is the most recent example)
3. Rising has been in the making for almost 4 years now.. & a film loses its punch once it takes so long to make..

These have been the arguments..

I for one would defintely like to go & watch whatever the press says... simply for Aamir Khan & the fact that he is acting after a gap of 4 years.. & also for Rahman's music..
Sak kushal Mangal hui Jaaye..!!...