Ram-Leela
Year: 2013
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Supriya Pathak, Richa Chadda

Whether they run well at the box-office or not, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movies are always worth seeing. They are worth seeing for the way this talented film-maker treats their each frame as if it were a painting. But not always have his visually brilliant ‘pictures’ translated into overall brilliant movies and the reason for that is his tendency to overdo this pictorial aspect (the lights, the shadows, the colors and the camera-angles), while often leaving the screenplay and the characters half-baked. Does Ram-Leela avoid this typical SLB trap? Is this Romeo-Juliet adaptation a masterpiece or a bad miss?

What’s the plot?

Set in an unspecified land (a mix of Gujarat and Rajasthan!) and equally unspecified era (a contemporary cell-phone-age combined with classic automobiles), this film tells the tale of two feuding clans involved in crimes such as illegal arms, drugs, smuggling and kidnapping. Gun-shots and gaalis is the only language they talk with each other. When Ram (Ranveer Singh), the skirt-chasing, gun-hating son of one clan-leader falls in love with rival clan- chief’s feisty daughter Leela (Deepika Padukone) at first sight, the centuries-old feud between the two warring factions is just going to get a lot bitter. How many lives will be lost in the fire unleashed by this brazen love affair? Will this romance survive the all-consuming hatred and violence between their near and dear ones?

What’s hot?

·         After erring on the side of arty underplay in his last three films (Black, Saawariya and Guzzarish), Sanjay Leela Bhansali decides to go the mass-pleasing full-on entertainment way. The first 40-odd minutes which establish the lawless land, the gun-slinging rival clans and the hero-heroine’s romance are simply spectacular.

·         Once again, his camera goes on a picture-perfect framing spree with superb locations and lavish sets.

·         The ultra-fit Ranveer Singh looks macho and even though at times unconvincing in emotional scenes, overall he carries off the rough and tough role of the rustic lover caught up in conflicting emotions rather well.

·         Deepika Padukone just proves that she is at the peak of her acting prowess and all set to be the new queen of Bollywood. She looks stunning and effortlessly essays the role of a spirited belle refusing to let go of her love, even in face of extraordinary circumstances.

·         The lead pair’s chemistry is crackling.

·         Supriya Pathak as the matriarch crime don delivers her best performance to date. Ruthless, cunning and willing to go to any extent in her quest to eliminate enemies, her menacing yet earthy character is sure to be in the race to win in the negative role award category.

·         Richa Chadda (of Gangs of Wasseypur-fame) leaves her mark as the heroine’s widowed sister-in-law.

·         Excellent choreography.

What’s not?

·         After an impressive beginning, the film goes into an overdrive of song-and-dance sequences and violent action scenes. The narrative gradually loses its clarity and focus. As the romance takes the backseat and the violence takes the center-stage, the screen proceedings start becoming repetitive, tedious and confusing.

·          Needless use of raunchy language.

·         Ineffective climax.

·         Bhansali’s decision to do almost everything solo (He is the director, writer, editor and composer) doesn’t work well in the music department. Yes, there are a few catchy songs but a better music director could have added a different layer.

Verdict

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s take on Shakespeare’s timeless Romeo-Juliet is not too different from the earlier Bollywoodian effort Ishqzaade and in my opinion, inferior to it! True to SLB style he presents a unique mix of cinema and theatre with striking imagery but once again leaves his screenplay and characters too half-baked to create a lasting impact. He turns the movie into a fast-moving spectacle- an absolute explosion of colors and sounds but in the end that just numbs the senses with its needless excesses. Many critics have hailed this movie as a visual treat. I agree with that assessment but can’t help feeling that it is an overdone treat!

Not to be missed but no masterpiece by any stretch of imagination!

Rating

3 stars