D-Day: Why are we unable to shed the baggage of our past

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File:D-DayPoster.jpg
Managed to watch D-Day. In these days of Multiplex cinema, to watch a movie with the entire family, and that too over the weekend, you are down by Rs. 2500+ popcorn and cold drinks, so 3500/- Rs. gone and if the movie is a let down, then you not only curse the movie and so also curse yourself of shelling out 3500/- for a trash.

With D-Day that is pretty much the case, what could have been a 1 1/2 hour tight crisp and edgy movie, went on to be a 2 1 /2 + hour long ordeal. What could have finished by interval and left audience wanting for more, was needlessly and aimlessly harked on for 1+ hour. That extra one hour was an extension of the past baggage that most directors of today (leave aside a few here and there) carry or rather haunts or should I say puts them in dilemma. The classic case of emotion, drama, farz, karz, marz,...running high and leaving the audience asking for once to stop it and go home. The pre-interval phase was what could have been where Arjun Rampal's character does justice and puts an end to the ordeal on the long wait.. as he puts the gun on Goldman's head.

The only solace from the movie, that seems to be coming out, superb cinematography and photography and some very good songs. Particularly, Dama Dum Mast Kalandar (with a brilliant cameo by Rajpal Yadav, where is he and his brand of comedy, we are seeming to miss him) and the Qawwali no. Murshid Khele Holi. Alvida was another number, good in parts.

Fine actors like Irrfan and Rishi Kapoor seemed lost, Arjun Rampal, Akash Dahiya and Huma were trying to hold on to some space, but the whole perspective of the movie was pretty much cramped. Starting from the PMO office meetings (the occasional reference to the Madam thing looked lame and below the belt), to the decision of RAW, to the moments where the real action was, all looked cramped. Nikhil Advani's effort was honest and he was making a precious attempt. But like I said the canvas gave limited space to the characters to grow. The last scene at the Rann of Kutch was lame too and had traces of Nikhil carrying Karan Johar's overbearing image.

The characters in the film, that of Arjun Rampal, Rishi Kapoor and that of Shriswara (Irrfan's wife in the movie) looked convincing. Chandan Roy Sanyal, a talented actor was wasted, so I thought. Nasser was in his elements (guys like him, Mamoothy-briefly though and Prakash Raj are finding a niche for themselves, in movies of up-north) and finally after a long time K.K. Raina (I miss him from the days of the Art House movie days of Indian cinema).

I am not too sure of where will D-Day go from here, but I did have some expectations from the movie, which I feel the same could not live upto. The overall fictional account was I thought a wonderfully planned concept, but pity lacked execution depth. Perhaps a few seasons of the serial 24's (Fox Network and Jack Bauer-the Rajnikant of Hollywood) repeat viewing by Nikhil and team would have helped get the characters, the script and the overall look and feel more authentic, tighter, crispier and perhaps encouraged them to shred the baggage of the past.

It just might be a good idea for me, head for the CD pack of 24 and find solace in the arms of Jack Daniels (oops! Jack Bauer)!



         

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