ANUBHAV SINHA IS BACK TO SQUARE ONE
By P Shukla - Eye TV India Bureau
Critic's I-view
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'Tathastu' means 'Amen' or may it be. Director Anubhav Sinha, who is now known for his last film 'Dus', returns to try his hands on a complex subject with none other than Sanjay Dutt. Not many years ago, Anubhav Sinha used to roam around in Mumbai streets. An engineering student who decided to try his luck in glamour world was ready to do anything to make a dent in Bollywood. He took on to TV serials, and then did numerous music videos before banging on to big screen in 'Tum Bin'.
While watching 'Tum Bin' and later 'Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai ', I had noticed a knack in Anubhav Sinha's filmmaking that was more apt for thrillers than musical love stories or comedies. This seems that he was planning to work on the same line and then 'Dus' happened. 'Dus' was more like a fluke but Anubhav Sinha got immersed in it. It was first taste of huge success for him. He faces the charge of mishandling the schedules, but in between he made a quickie, 'Tathastu'.
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The film was completed even before 'Dus' but producer Nitin Manmohan wanted to cash on the success of 'Dus'. So, he stayed its release. 'Tathastu' is commendable for two reasons. First, the acting of Sanjay Dutt's who is moving miles and miles ahead with his every different role. Secondly for Anubhav Sinha's apt handling of a complex subject. But, the film is also flayed for two reasons; firstly for a very loose script and secondly for its bad timing for release. 'Tathastu' is an opportunity gone haywire because to make a dent on people's mind, one has to get at least three-fourth things right and not just the half ones.
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'Tathastu' written by Yash Vinay has many parallels in Hindi Cinema and it draws inspirations from many foreign films too, and 'John Q' is just one of them. But the total concept of the film of one man trying to outdo the system on his own has lost its novelty in Hindi Cinema. With the films after films being churned out on this topic, it needs a strong script and some very sensitive portrayal of lead characters to make an impact in this genre of films now. Sanjay Dutt plays Ravi. He has a happy family comprising his wife Sarita (Amisha Patel) and son Gaurav (Yash Pathak).
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He is a happy man but his life is shattered when his son is diagnosed as having a hole in his heart. Ravi is a middle class workingman and he cannot afford huge money for operation. But to save his son, he knocks at every door though gets nothing. Then he takes the whole emergency ward of the hospital on hostage at gunpoint. But, the situation only gets worse. His son is fighting a lost battle. He himself is fighting a war against the system. And, at the crucial juncture of his battle Ravi is not alone; his wife, a doctor and a cop, help him too.
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Anubhav Sinha's 'Tathastu' has plus points too. When you see Sanjay Dutt clutching a boy and holding a gun, you temp to watch the film as soon as possible. Fears are there that it won't turn out to be another 'Pitaah' (directed by Mahesh Manjrekar) and that it won't look like another version of 'Viruddh'. The film opens with some very impressive shots. Anubhav Sinha tries to set the ambience right from the very beginning. He succeeds too but until the problem of the story unfolds.
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Once it is clear what the problem is for the main character of the film, Anubhav Sinha starts losing his grip on the topic. Walking on a very thin line, he fails to resist himself from the temptation of creating parallel tracks in the story. So, he introduces a political track from nowhere and it only mars the impact of the proceedings. Anubhav Sinha tries to make it as a songless film but then he throws in a qawaali number. While watching the whole film patiently, one thing is clear that what Anubhav Sinha wanted to create must be something other than what he has been able to present on screen.
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The only saving grace of 'Tathastu' is the superb performance by Sanjay Dutt. He is a man who wants to stay here for long and for this he wants to keep moving. He is moving ahead in terms of not only as an actor but with experimentation with roles also. Sanjay Dutt needs applause for this. Whatever may be the commercial result of his films, Sanjay Dutt is moving ahead as an actor. As his son, Yash Pathak once again proves his capabilities at his tender age. But other actors of the film do not add value to the project like him. Jaya Prada is just used as prop. Lalit Tiwari is overworked, Manoj Pahwa irritates and Anup Soni is given more than what he can chew. The worst thing to notice in the film is Amisha Patel. She nowhere looks like trying to get in the characters. Some people just don't learn. Sorry Anubhav, but this time your team has let you down.
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[Public Opinion]
