Halla Bol

Cast : Ajay Devgan, Pankaj Kapoor, Vidya Balan Director : Rajkumar Santoshi Producer : Suresh Sharma Genre : Drama Release Date : 11-1-2008

Synopsis Ashfaque (Devgan), a small town theatre actor dreams of becoming a film star and succeeds in becoming one। He changes his name to Samir Khan, becomes a superstar and achieves great fame and money but at the same time also becomes very selfish and morally corrupt. Despite having a loving wife (Vidya) at home and a kid, he starts having relationships outside. StarBoxOffice.com Review Acting: The Santoshi - Ajay Devgan magic works yet again and Devgan ends up delivering one of his finest performances. From a small town theatre artist to a superstar who turns morally corrupt and then to a crusader who wages a battle against the corrupt and powerful, Ajay is nothing short of brilliant. Vidya doesn’t have much of a role but she gets one terrific scene where she gives it back to the media on camera. Pankaj Kapur is absolutely fabulous and commands attention whenever on screen. His silent angry glare speaks volumes. Darshan Jariwala is natural playing the wily minister. Direction: Santoshi strikes back with a bang with this hard hitting and topical film. In his trademark style, underlaced sometimes with humour or with brutal reality, he exposes the shallowness of the film industry men, gives us a perfect reality check and takes noteworthy potshots at the corrupt nexus between the politicians and the police force. Santoshi is known for giving his every single character that one moment of glory within the film and he does it yet again superbly. Script: Doubling up as a writer as well, Santoshi packs a solid punch with his effective dialogues and identifiable topical sequences and by drawing parallels to the Jessica Lal murder case. The gradual degradation of Ajay's character is well captured within minimal scenes. There are a string of clapworthy (a rarity these days) moments post the interval like - Ajay giving it back to the seedy Minister in his own 'natural' way at the minister's mansion and again giving him an earful during his new house griha pravesh and also Pankaj Kapoor insulting the minister's side-kick in his style without speaking a word and also later his outburst at the media. The reference to the Aamir Khan - Narmada Bachao Andolan episode is fantastically incorporated. Music: Sukhwinder's title song very effectively brings out the revolutionary theme of the film. Kudos to Santoshi for not packing the film with unwanted romantic numbers or dream songs.