There are still unexplored subjects that haven't been tamed by filmmakers, but how many have succeeded on silver screen. These are just handful! Ironically, either they have made history or have been completely rejected. Competent execution, tight scripting, brilliant performances and melodious music are the catalysts that make them path-breaking success. Unfortunately, this low promoted action adventure fails in all departments and will be counted as a non-starter.
The film promotes itself as the first to exploit the nexus between liquor mafia and corrupt political system. The film succeeds in first half but deviates completely from its subject in the second half. Once again a noble concept has gone awry, thanks to fractured scripting and poor execution. Poor characterizations, lack of consistency in events, lack of professionalism in actors besides novice direction are the major reasons for its predicted result. 'Kachchi Sadak', a low profile action potboiler, comes with low face value, zero media hype and novice craftsmanship at a time when multiplexes are flooded with multiple releases. The film has more negative points than positive ones to prove its worth on box-office.
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This low budget entertainer has two major positive points--- late veteran actor Amrish Puri's last performance and abundant exotic locations of Rajasthan. Otherwise it's a half baked entertainment from a set of amateurish craftsmen and actors. Bollywood's most prolific and consistent actor Amrish Puri's act of disciplinarian police officer is the only saving grace. Filmmakers have paid tributes to this brilliant actor, and his one-liners are like acting tutorials to the set of non-professional actors in the film. The movie promises to be a visual spectacle by making statements that it has encapsulated 16 beautiful monuments of Rajasthan, including the divine shrine of Ajmer Sharif. Unfortunately, mediocre cinematography and below average music have let them down. Among them the soundtrack "Khwaja Mere Khwaja" showing Ajmer Sharif Dargah deserves appreciation but the rest of the locations are completely unaccounted.
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'Kachchi Sadak' is a conventional action film that travels through the miseries of fatherless boy to the intrigues of the liquor trade (thekedaari). It has the backdrop of urban Rajasthan's socio-political scenario where liquor mafias are hand in glove with politicians. The story centers on Randhir alias Chaudhry (Rahul Singh), whose widowed mother (Madhoo) re-marries to provide him with a father. Unfortunately, the marriage fails due to the stepfather's alcoholic and violent nature. The lonely and disturbed boy distances himself from home and joins the gang of urchins. Javed Ali (Rahul Dev) is the leader of the gang and Randhir grows up as his subordinate. There is corrupt politician named Jaiswal (Sharat Saxena) who runs illegal liquor trade. On the other hand, there is Jaani Babu (Govind Namdeo) who runs a hierarchy of selling liquor (thekedaari). There is political conflict between the two mighty with Randhir and his gang teaming up with Jaani Babu. Randhir's notoriety makes him a strong arm in the politically manipulated liquor trade, earning quick money and deadly enemies. His only source of inspiration and hope are his friends and his girlfriend Julie (Parmita Katkar).
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Sumitra Devi (Reema Lagoo), an honest social-worker-turned-politician, confronts elections against corrupt Jaiswal. Randhir and his gang give her moral support to counter the opposition's brute force in the coming elections. Just then the story takes a big leap when Randhir is falsely accused of Jaiswal's henchman brother's murder. This mishap brings him to the dungeons of Jodhpur Central Jail where he confronts strict disciplinarian jailor Hasan (Amrish Puri). The jailor is a contemptuous prison officer who believes that the prisoners are like un-recyclable garbage and are meant to face severe hardships in the jail. But his attitude changes with time when law falsely implicates the innocent and pardons the culprit.
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The film culminates to a predictable plot and ends with lots of cracks and dents in scripting.
Rahul Singh, the lead protagonist, has failed miserably in both the departments ---acting and script writing. The actor made second lead presence in almost half dozen A-grade Bollywood films including 'Zubeidaa', 'Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai', 'Darna Marna Hai', 'Kyun Ho Gaya Na' etc and have been associated with scripting of action flicks like 'Kaante'. This time he frames himself in the get up of an "Angry Young Man" and tries to rejuvenate the magnetism of Big B in his characterization. It starts from Amitabh's conceptual display in films like 'Trishul' and 'Deewar' where the Big B plays estranged son from a broken family. The tussle between land mafia and his gang is a lift from one of Big B's most accomplished action thriller 'Trishul'. The film unravels from hero's troublesome childhood to his final battle with liquor mafia in jail. It stretches out from his stepfather's (Mukesh Tiwari) treacherous moves to the revenge of his dear friend (Rahul Dev).
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The film also shows the plight of his widowed mother (Madhoo) to the rise of honest female politician (Reema Lagoo). It showcases the nefarious criminal tentacles of liquor and land mafia on corrupt politic system. But can any character or any event in the film explain why the movie is being titled 'Kachchi Sadak'? The insipid narration coupled with below average directorial expertise make the movie falter at all moments. Whether it's Rahul Singh's incompetent performance or Parmita Katkar's shoddy body display, it is just disillusion. Besides Amrish Puri, no other actor except Rahul Dev shows competence as an actor. Yesteryear's sensation Madhoo who debuted in Mani Ratnam's 'Roja' makes silent comeback as destitute mother of outlawed hero. The actress has little footage and hardly makes any impact in her brief appearance. Noted actor Sharat Saxena, Tinnu Anand and Govind Namdeo provide the audience some relief. The rest of the cast including Rahul Singh and Parmita Katkar disappoints completely.
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Karim Khatri's cinematography is strictly ordinary and it seems that he has missed golden opportunity. The exotic palaces, tombs and shrines have always been tourist attractions, but the mediocre craftsmanship has spoiled the show. Even the mismatched choreography makes it an avoidable affair. Action sequences (Moses and Shyam Kaushal) are mandatory and mechanical to the given situations. Uttam Singh's music is hardly audible and the only number that attracts is "Khwaja Mere Khwaja" by Adnan Sami. Mithun Chakraborty's special appearance gives some refreshing moments.
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Director Sanjay D Singh who has assisted prominent director JP Dutta disappoints completely. The film opens up like a package of realism but ends like a shoddy action entertainer. This neither entertains nor enlightens any anti-social act but works primarily as a revenge saga. It could have been a good show provided the director had glorified the nexus between liquor mafia and political system with real facts. But the subject is relegated to back seat and comes as show reeling of incompetent newcomer Rahul Singh. With the overflow of releases this week and nationwide overwhelming response to 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai', this low profile entertainer will be a disappointing affair by all standards.