Hamari Paltan

STORY: When a greedy builder proposes a potential million-dollar scam to an equally corrupt politician, the fate of an entire village changes, with no one to turn to for help.

REVIEW: Master ji (Tom Alter) is a revolutionary former teacher, who tries to inculcate the importance of adequate usage of water and electricity in the children of a small settlement called Sonapur. With right kind of guidance, children prioritise education and healthy lifestyle but all hell breaks loose when a corrupt politician (Manoj Bakshi) passes a development bill that involves cutting down an entire jungle and discarding the inhabitants.

With two shockers rendered in quick succession, a group of children from somewhat affluent families take it upon themselves to bring the culprits to justice, help their friends from that troubled village and save mother nature.

The script sounds noble, but it's execution is in stark contrast to what seems obvious. A fine actor, and the only saving grace in this movie, the late Tom Alter is given an abrupt exit. Without Alter’s presence the film's prospects take a swift nose dive. The cinematography is not upto the mark and the songs seem like they were composed in a tearing hurry. Thanks to the lacklustre writing, the dialogues seem like they needed a major rewrite too. Same goes for the climax of the film which is just a little too convenient and therefore not too believable.

All in all, 'Hamari Paltan' has a social message that incorporates the famous 'Chipko Movement'. It could have left a lasting impression had the filmmaking not been so mediocre.