Why a hit?

Why Rang de Basanti is a hit? Will any of one of the millions or such numbers who have been instrumental in making this movie a success actually follow the example of its protagonist, the answer clearly is No. Forget going against the law or joining the police or politics to clean the system we will continue to bribe our way through regulations because honestly it is very inconvenient to be righteous. Then why was this movie that goes so against our ‘Chalta Hai’ attitude become a hit? Why did the masses lap it up? Like this was an elixir they have been waiting for and didn’t want to miss out on the experience even if short lived.
The reason could be that at some point each one of us has gone through similar angst when we wanted to shoot the perpetrators of our angst. This is the angst that a Jessica lal, a Yunus Khan or a Satyendra dubey’s family and friends must have felt. But they did not take to arms and go on a killing spree and that is the reason why this movie is a hit. Because a bunch of fictional characters did what none of us will ever do. They avenged the wrong done to millions of commoners who don’t stand a chance of ever getting justice through the right way. They fulfilled a wish. A wish different from the regular dreams of visiting the Swiss Alps or snorkelling in the clean waters of Mauritius. Of the innumerable movies made on the subject of individuals taking on the corrupt system and coming out victors, this is the only movie that comes closer to reality in the end with the perishing of the naive heroes who for once dismiss the ‘Chalta Hai’ attitude and pay with their dear lives. I believe it was this conclusion that was the clincher for the movie and not the well-shot and presented patriotic colours of Rang de Basanti. The common man was allowed though briefly to believe that things could change if he wishes to but the end reassured him that it was just a fictional dream, we are allowed to let things be.



I am back. Well Almost.