Director Govind Nihalani is well known for his complex and challenging films and Dev is no different.
His films resume
reads as an in depth research project into the depths of Indian society. Govind as a director is brave enough to chose films that are not the mainstream, fantasy, glamorous films. His films are full of the stark reality that most poor Indians face. They show the extreme poverty and human abuse that exists in the poorest parts of India. He boldly shows the corruption that is rampant in India's
political leaders.
As one would expect Dev is not an easy film to watch. The issues that it raises are very complex and require a very
complicated script. But I would have to say that this is the best Govind Nihalani film that I have seen. It is far bolder and far more powerful than his critically acclaimed "Ardh Satya". The characters in the film are much more realistic. The script is complicated but still manages to keep your attention fixed on the outcome of this movie.
This film is mainly about the corruption that exists in the police force. It covers how politicisation of the police force has meant that much of the decisions of the officers are not for the public good. It also covers the some what touchy subject of terrorism and how it affects political leader for better or for worse. It shows the stark isolation of the Indian Muslim in the current post Gujarat era where religious hatred is rife.
This is Meenaxi Sharma's first screen play and so one would forgive her for a few blunders. However this screen play superbly written. Meenaxi creates a feeling of foreboding which ends up being all consuming. Each character is well defined and as the film progresses we really get the sense that we know the characters. The complicated story line is made easier by the wonderful script writing. Meenaxi manages to show exactly how the so called war between Muslims and Hindus becomes a power game for political leaders. It shows political corruption as a symptom of modern Indian society.
Amitabh Bachan who is probably the greatest Indian Bollywood star of all time plays the male lead in this film, Dev Pratap Singh. He is the joint commissioner of police and is by nature a righteous man. He would describe himself as an idealist and lives his life by virtue of his high ideals. However this idealistic mode of life is not always functional in the corrupt police system. It soon becomes evident that politicians have no regard for the law and feel they are superior to it but Dev believes the law is supreme.
Om puri (East is East) plays the part of the other joint police commissioner, Tejinder Kholsa. His character is also an idealist but unfortunately he is more malleable and we see him succumb to the powers of corruption.
As the film progresses we see Dev realise the enormity of the corruption behind politics and its impact upon the police. He realises that the isolation of minorities is part of a much bigger political power struggle. This realisation is mirrored by Tejinders moral detereation which is beautifully performed by Om Puri. We see him become on of the officers on the pay role who values order as being higher than what is good.
Dev's political ideas are some what simplistic to begin with. His character starts by sitting on the fence as a disgusted police officer who has a good heart. But as the film progresses we see Dev change his opinions dramatically. In a pivotal scene he is attacked by a young Muslim played by Fardeen Khan. This Muslim holds Dev responsible for his fathers death during a procession that turned bad.
We come to realize that the racial hatred is the fault of two politicians. One is Hindu and the other is Muslim and they each use racism to make sure their community votes for them. This is quite simplistic but I think the film could not cope with anything more complicated.
This film as one would expect, also has a love story. This occurs between the young Muslin and Aaliya played by Kareenaapoor. Aaliya lives next door to the young Muslim and we often see her sneaking into his home to spend time with him. This love story is tender and moving and acts as a needed diversion to the political thriller aspects of this film.
But this film is dominated by the two police officers with their polarized ideologies. We watch Puri become a reckless villain and see how Bachan is tormented by loyalty and the need to do the right thing. These two provide wonderful scenes of exquisite acting. The film is worth watching just to see these two actors work together.
The film end with a shocking climax where Puri's character commits suicide after committing a series of terrible murderous acts. This film is vividly shot with fast paced and emotional riot scenes. The beautiful love scenes are much needed and add a real sense of emotion to the film. The characters are complex and beautifully played. We are left haunted by the images we have seen but optimistic about the disintegration of the religious divide.