It was 'Zanjeer' almost 30 years back that gave birth to a new genre of films in Hindi and that also introduced the Angry Man (Amitabh Bachchan) to Bollywood. Bobby Deol is the new- age angry young boy. The story in his new film 'Bardaasht', delves on police force but with a difference. While the uniformed men struggle against the system, here it is a common man who struggles against the corrupt uniformed men. It is interesting to note that it is the same director E. Niwas who made a cult film like 'Shool' as his debut that talked of high values found in uniformed people. However, in his latest, 'Bardaasht', he has chosen a totally different path. In between, Niwas tried his luck in films; first on today's youth 'Dum' and then in a comedy, 'Love Ke Liye Kucch Bhi Karega'. All his four films are just different from one another and this shows the impact of his mentor Ram Gopal Verma on his work. E. Niwas has traveled a long way from his debut with Manoj Bajpai starrer 'Shool' to 'Bardaasht'. In the latter, he proves his point and leaves a mark as a director. He gets a story written by no less than Vikram Bhatt and builds a high paced drama on that to make an entertainer. 'Bardaasht' may not be a classic in terms of 'Khakee', another film made on unformed people this year, but it stands out for two reasons: good narration by its director and a brilliant performance by Bobby Deol (the hero).
'Bardaasht' is a story of the defiance of the pressures of the corrupt system. Bobby Deol plays an elder brother named Aditya Shrivastava who has been sacked from Army for disobeying his seniors. He has so much to deliver before he moves out of the barracks, but alas he could not sustain the undue pressure from top bosses. His early retirement breaks Payal (Lara Dutta)'s heart and she adopts a different path. Payal is incidentally Aditya's senior officer's daughter. However, after having said good-bye to his job, he also faces loss of his love. Back home, Aditya finds that his brother Anuj (Ritesh Deshmukh) has grown a naughty boy. Aditya tries to check him but in vain. They fall apart from each other. Anuj leaves home in anger. Aditya looks for him and is told that Anuj has been involved in drugs. Aditya complains to every one but no one is ready to listen. His patience is tested again. He has no choice left except that of picking a gun and shoot the culprits. He meets his love again in his new voyage. Payal is an advocate now and Aditya an accused. Others like Rahul Dev, Vishwajeet Pradhan and Ganesh Yadav, who are supposed to save the society turn out to be villains and the battle lines are drawn.
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'Bardaasht' looks like yet another film made with the same old formula of bad versus good. Even the promos aired on channels do not offer anything new. And, that's very bad promotion. But director E Niwas comes out with a better film this time. It is not that Vikram Bhatt has provided him any extraordinary story but it is Niwas' dedication and style of narrating the ordinary looking story in a different manner that leaves a mark. Pre-interval portions hold grip on viewers and by the time of interval the curiosity level reaches to its new high. Post-interval portions may not have been equally good but there are scenes like courtroom drama where every one involved comes out with some high voltage performances. Niwas's directorial brilliance comes out a winner in 'Bardaasht'.
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If the film had been promoted with more zeal, it would have attracted a better response. This is E. Niwas' third take on police force ('Shool' and 'Dum' being the other two). He seems to be in awe of this uniform, but what makes one sit and take notice is the fact that in each of his these three films he has not repeated even a single shade of his characters. All the three films are different and this proves his progression as a director. Like his other films, in 'Bardaasht' too, Niwas keeps it on a single track, which is not an easy task. He succeeds here because he has some good companions.
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'Bardaasht' is true a Bobby Deol film. He springs a surprise. Many who have seen his last film 'Kismat' may not have many hopes from this film too, but Bobby has proved again that given a good role he can prove his mettle. It won't be rhetoric to say that in 'Bardaasht', Bobby comes out with an award winning performance. This is one of his best roles so far. He plays Aditya so convincingly; the fight sequences are gem and the courtroom scenes a shining decoration. Lara Dutt too has improved a lot. The other surprise of the film is Tara Sharma who has changed vertically from her earlier roles in 'Saaya' and 'Masti'. The film is technically brilliant too. Rakesh Manikantan's camera follows every move aptly, and Amar Mohile's background music supports every mood. Himesh Reshammiya has a trump up his sleeves. 'Silsile Mulaaqaton ke Na Chhodiyega' is already hit; other songs also have power to grow with time. The film has good prospects at the box office. It will do better business in north, especially in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. E Niwas badly needed a commercially successful film at this juncture of his career, and 'Bardaasht' has done that!
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