Rangoon Story: The film is a war-romance set in pre-independent India. As is known, there were differing strands in the movement. Mahatma Gandhi adopted ahimsa to get freedom; Subhash Chandra Bose was the force behind the Indian National Army that got on the front foot to boot the enemy out. Even as this strife played out, Julia (Kangana), the daredevil actress of the 40's ruled hearts. Closer home, her married producer Russi Billimoria (Saif) is besotted with her and at the border, Jamadar Nawab Malik (Shahid) loves her to death.
Rangoon Review: Rangoon is an ambitious attempt to actually tell a triangular love story against the backdrop of war. The canvas is huge. Pankaj Kumar’s cinematography is exquisite. The narrative that marries Casablanca (1942) to Chicago (2002) — wish the music here was peppier — plays out interestingly in parts. You have grim war-scenes fading out to allow some naach-gaana. Then there is a good measure of romance thrown in, albeit without the fire. Also there is also an infiltrator angle that allows for intrigue. Bhardwaj, whose repertoire includes truly-fine works like Maqbool, Omkara, and Haider delivers, but not entirely. Some frames just hang, some scenes feel tedious. In his attempt to pack in too much on war, love and deceit, the maker ends up with some haphazard division of war scenes versus love games, leaving the viewer muddled.
Also Read: Kangana Ranaut: My scenes in 'Rangoon' were cut
Saif gives his movie-entrepreneur act a razor-sharp quality. And, Shahid is outstanding. Kangana of course is the piece de resistance. You can believe that two men would cross swords for her. While she is a child-woman or “kiddo” to the sophisticated Rusi, who treats her like an expensive buy, she becomes the heartbeat of the patriotic Nawab, who loves her spirited side. However, as pointed out earlier on, though the love scenes are written well and aesthetically shot, they lack passion. The multiple lip-locks between Shahid and Kangana don’t ignite flames.
There’s a dialogue in the film where Saif tells a British officer, “We’re actors, we know how to convince people.” That isn’t entirely true here. Borrowing Julia’s oft-repeated phrase, “Bloody hell’, one wishes these three had truly dropped their guard. It would’ve certainly added more rang to this movie extravaganza.
Also Read: Rangoon Review in Hindi
Also Read: Rangoon Review in Bengali
In-depth Analysis
Our overall critic’s rating is not an average of the sub scores below.
TRIVIA
1. Director Vishal Bhardwaj’s Casablanca-like love story, Rangoon, gives a ride to the British-ruled India, at the brink of the Second World War.
2. Rangoon was shot in Arunachal Pradesh where artistes were greeted with torrential rain, followed by a drop in temperature and ice-cold breeze. If the state offered great landscape, it lacked network, civilisation in most pockets and toilets. It was difficult to travel from one point to another.
3. Kangana learnt to juggle knives and ride a horse for a 30 second shot. She plays the gutsy and fiery actress, Miss Julia. While playing the nation’s heartthrob of the1940s, Kangana was reminded of herself when she’d just debuted in the movies. She says, “Rangoon has a Broadway-like treatment. It’s colorful, larger than life and an ultimate entertainer with a generous dose of drama, action and emotion.”
4. Shahid plays Nawab Malik, the righteous soldier with a sense of humour. He took intense training to seamlessly pull off the battle scenes and was bruised quite a few times on the set. “I’ve been offered roles that allow me to explore my versatility as an actor. Nawab’s is the ultimate hero. He loves passionately, fights fearlessly and being a soldier, is willing to do what is needed for his country. Being a part of Vishal sir’s films will always be special,” says Shahid.
5. Saif Ali Khan, who plays Rusi Billimoria, a suave film producer from the 1940s, says, “Rangoon is set in such an interesting time zone. The research was authentic and all of us had to bring out the turmoil of the country back then through our performances. Rusi is has a feudal approach with the British. He’s brutal, rough and consumed by his thoughts about Julia.”
6. Artistes from different ethnicities were handpicked for the shoot. The cast boasts of Indians, British nationals and even the Japanese. While shooting, the set hence employed at least five translators at any given time to ensure there was smooth communication.
- What is the release date of 'Rangoon'?
Release date of Kangana Ranaut and Shahid Kapoor starrer 'Rangoon' is 2017-02-24. - Who are the actors in 'Rangoon'?
'Rangoon' star cast includes Kangana Ranaut, Shahid Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and Satish Shah. - Who is the director of 'Rangoon'?
'Rangoon' is directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. - What is Genre of 'Rangoon'?
'Rangoon' belongs to 'Drama, Romance' genre. - In Which Languages is 'Rangoon' releasing?
'Rangoon' is releasing in Hindi.