It takes loads of guts, innovation and research to plagiarize the goriest act of terrorism after Independence that made history as the longest court trial on silver screen. Cinema has always been a source of entertainment but lately socially relevant issues have made mark through the advent of realistic cinema. 'Black Friday' is by far the best cinematic work that nose-dives into the reasons and its repercussions that shook the nation after deadly bomb blasts that took place in Mumbai in 1993. The film that was based on the book by S Hussain Zaidi faced the roadblock of censors for more than two years but finally made its way to cinema halls. Debutante director Anurag Kashyap deserves all the accolades for making things relevant by adapting the book to celluloid with a fine set of actors, events and technicalities. The film will positively draw major applause from critics and the media for being qualitative in showing the reasons that were behind the unforgettable act of terrorism in Mumbai.
'Black Friday' can be termed as the "boldest" attempt as it dared to narrate the real political events with real names. The film also delivers the strategy and methodology behind the bomb blasts through a fine piece of documentation. It shows the negative and corrupt aspects of political system that harbored and shouldered the terror attacks. Ram Gopal Verma's 'Company' and Mani Ratnam's 'Bombay' were the other two realistic films but 'Black Friday' shows its excellence in all phases of filmmaking. Anurag Kashyap's screenplay and direction is the biggest positive factor that might make this film a surprise hit of the year. No matter the film has been released with just 140 prints but it will certainly be crazier than films that have been released with thousands plus prints.
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'Black Friday' is a cinematic documentation of multiple bomb blast that took place in the year 1993. The depiction of bomb blasts at BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange), Shiv Sena Bhawan, Worli Passport Office, Centaur Hotel, Zaveri Bazar, Plaza Cinema complex, 18th floor of Sea Rock hotel etc, is breath-taking and leaves with spine-chilling terror. The film gets itself divided into chapters; each chapter showing modus operandi of bomb blasts. 'Black Friday' primarily is focused on three characters - mastermind of blast Tiger Memom (Pawan Malhotra), police witness Badshah Khan (Aditya Shrivastav) and investigating police officer Rakesh Karia (Kay Kay Menon). It also shows the dreaded underworld Dawood Ibrahim (Vijay Maurya) talking to noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani and helping Tiger Memom in his endeavors. The real names and events have made big news for years and the trial of bomb blasts has taken more than thirteen years. The relevancy of subject will create a big craze among masses as well as classes. The icing of the cake is its well-conceived treatment and brilliant performance that will make this a winner by all standards. The biggest eye-opener proves to be the terrorist camp in Pakistan where the outlaws were trained to plant bombs, RDX and using sophisticated ammunitions like AK-56. The second big surprise comes when the film dares expose greedy police and custom officials in being bribed by smugglers. It was their lethargic and greedy attitude that made RDX spread in coastal regions. Finally, it shows the atrocities done to the Muslim community after "Babri Masjid demolition" that triggered a rage of hatred among Hindus by a strong section of the Muslim underworld.
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It opens up with first major arrest of Asgar Muqadam (Tiger Memom's manager) that gave major clues about the conspiracy behind the blasts. The torturous interrogation is painful to watch but shows authenticity. It shifts to collecting individuals by Tiger Memom for conspiracy and picking up public places for bomb blasts. Tiger Memom choosing Badshah Khan for leading the operation and finally making teams to plant RDX and bombs shows the depth of execution of the subject. Badshah Khan taking refuge in different cities (Rampur, Jaipur, Tonk, and Old Delhi) after Tiger flying to Dubai day before blasts is another high point. The conversation between Rakesh Maria (Kay Kay Menon) and Badshah Khan (Aditya Shrivastav) unveils the motive behind the bomb blasts. Badshah Khan justifying blasts as "jehad" (holy war) and revenge against the saffron brigade explains the biggest reasons for the unfortunate happenings.
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Anurag Kashyap's different style of story telling is the first successful attempt in portraying the political thriller. The film shows the mental attitudes of mastermind Tiger Memom and Dawood Ibrahim. Badshah Khan turning hostile towards their master shows that Tiger was more interested in taking personal revenge than fighting for his community. Dawood Ibrahim's receipt of broken bangles with mournful letter in a parcel is the ground breaking sequence that connects well with the film. Inspector Rakesh Maria's drawing of parallel lines between personal gains than sacrificing for nation or community shows the other side of the story. The film does not deliver any judgment but binds the real events through cinematic documentation through fine piece of team work.
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It was director's brilliance that collaged the brilliance of cinematography and action sequences into portraying of events. Cinematography (S Natrajan) is breath-taking and the red shades used in interrogation scenes were simply brilliant. The camera work seeps into dungeons of the slums to the posh locations of Dubai and Mumbai with brilliant pace. Action of Sham Kaushal is mind-blowing in showing the impact of powerful bomb blasts and blood splattering visuals look painful but real. It was intimidating back ground score and music by Indian Ocean (Pop group) that shows its excellence in tracks like "Bhram Bhap Ke" and "Bandeh". It's a pity that such soundtracks never got highlighted as the release of the film was shelved for couple of years.
Pawan Malhotra delivers an electrifying performance in the role of Tiger Memom and should be duly rewarded for his negative shades in then film. The actor delivers expression of hatred and violence with ease and proves to be the most powerful aspect of the film. Kay Kay Menon gives another worthy performance as honest police officer and it shows in interrogation scenes and his conversation with Aditya Shrivastav.
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The role of Badshah Khan by Aditya Shrivastav is well played and connects well with script and screenplay of the film. His conflict with his gang and his surrender and showing of his support to police draws attention. Pratima Kazmi, Zakir Hussain Arbaaz Ali, Pankaj Jha and Vijay Maurya (Dawood Ibrahim) play the role with sheer honesty and grace.
Finally, it's a director's film by all means and aspects and Anurag Kashyap can be easily termed as the first "prodigy" or "discovery" of the year. 'Black Friday' comes as an eye opener to all sub-standard filmmakers who believe filmmaking is about creating hype and incorporating unnecessary gloss for success. Due to its offbeat subject its difficult to predict its box office collection but it will be winner in terms of substance and relevance. Bollywood has really matured into a big forum and 'Black Friday' is the biggest example and conveys the significant message - "An eye for an eye, makes whole world blind" (by Mahatma Gandhi).
Believe it or not, it's different style of showing the importance of Gandhism or "Gandhigiri". Isn't it? Outstanding!!!
