HALLA BOL
IT HITS …. BUT DOES IT HURTS?
by Vishal Verma

Rating:

What is it?
Another one from Santoshi which has the undercurrent of social issues like Lajja, Damini   & also provides entertainment but Halla Bol gives answers without bothering about the questions. Got it ….. Never mind! in simple words Raj Kumar Santoshi’s ‘Halla Bol’ is a story of reel life hero Ashfaque (Ajay Devgan) who at the peak of his stardom, loses his identity & after witnessing a murder in a pub where who’s who are present ( reminds of the Jessica Lall case ) turns a blind eye. But the trauma keeps on hallucinating his  inner soul  & then later listens to his aatma ki awaaz and takes on the culprits only to face the atrocities, dirty politics and public hate as the culprits get acquitted. He later on emerges as a winner by creating an awakening with the help of  his street theatre group friend Sidhu (Pankaj Kapur), gets bashed up while performing the street play ( reminds of Safdar Hashmi ) but a hero never dies. This incident results in an intense media and public pressure and case reopens finally justice prevails (Jessica Lall again).

The movie punches you again and again but all above the chin, it fails to give a blow were it really hurts - your heart.

But it has its moments of brilliance, it opens up brilliantly, has top notch performances from Ajay, Pankaj & Divya, and the undertone handling of the confrontation scenes doesn’t makes the movie loud and that is its major highlight.

But there are flaws which can’t be ignored – Ajay’s sudden change of character is not explained properly. And in the end Santoshi tries to add too many ingredients. The communal angle was not at all necessary. Second half becomes lengthy and by the end you have counted your yawns.

What is it all about?
Ashfaque (Ajay Devgan – top notch) is a small town boy aspiring to be a film star in the Hindi film industry. He joins a street theatre group run by a reformed dacoit Sidhu (Pankaj Kapur- effortless! wonder how he does that!) who uses street theatre as a medium to bring about an awakening in the masses. Ashfaque's determined struggle pays off and he gets a break in films. He gets a new screen name - Sameer Khan. With the passage of time, the roles start becoming better and he moves up the success ladder in a very short time. Soon, he becomes Sameer Khan the superstar - one who can enact any role with finesse, get under the skin of any and every character with ease and walk away with audience applause.

Sadly, amidst all adulation and applause, he slowly loses his own identity. He forgets his real self and imbibes all characteristics of the various roles essayed by him on screen. Corruption takes over his entire system, alienating him from all loved ones, including his wife Sneha (Vidya Balan – shines in a limited role).

A shocking incident at a party changes everything, rocking Sameer Khan's lifestyle. He gets caught between his human self on one side and his corrupted superstar image on the other.

Whether the conflict within him gives way to good sense and whether he is able to discard his corrupted image and emerge as a true life hero, becomes an integral part of this true life cinema

What to look out for?
A gripping movie with social undercurrent by Santoshi packed with topnotch performances and punches.
 Halla Bol  will be remembered for Ajay Devgan as his career’s major highlight.
Pankaj Kapur – the less said the better, this actor is so effortless in getting into the skin of any character and delivering with finesse.
Vidya Balan – gets les scope but is still competent.

What not?
Apart from the above mention things, Santoshi’s cry for a revolt lacks the echo. We see the awakening but not the built up. It hits no doubt and hits well but alas it fails to hurt.

Conclusion: ‘Halla Bol’ at your nearest theatre only for Ajay Devgan & Pankaj Kapur.