After a lot of begging, pleading and when all else failed even threatening, did I finally get passes for the premier of Rajneeti. It’d been a while since K3G released, thus the chance of watching so many actors on one screen sounded alluring. More alluring than that was getting a chance to see Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Arjun Rampal walk the red carpet. Due to over enthusiasm I ended up arriving much earlier and was whisked inside the mall by security, in order to avoid crowding outside. So to much disappointment I missed watching them put their best foot and smile forward as the shutter bugs flashed. Instead we had to wait near the escalator, which lead up to the screens (secretly hoping I’ll grab one of them as they came up).
Came they did, one by one, but the time they spent smiling at their fans seemed shorter than a lions intercourse. At least they smiled, Katrina poker faced fidgeted with her hair as if she was a part of the lion’s intercourse! How they behave when media is not watching. These stars I tell you!
After the hysteria, it was time for the real low down. A take on India’s dynastic political system, Prakash Jha’s multi cuisine definitely had the ingredients for a good opening. The story revolves around a few people, who control the destiny of million others. Ambitious minds,lust for power and dirty politics. After the head of a leading political party falls ill, he appoints his younger brother as his successor to run for elections. This however leaves his son Manoj Bajpai out on the dryer. Bajpai is enraged with his father’s decision and hereon begins a bloody war of ballots between the two families. Arjun Rampal and Ranbir Kapoor play Manoj Bajapi’s cousins and thus reigns an ugly battle for supremacy.
The first half of the movie was racy and interesting as each character was introduced with short but powerful performances. Nasseruddin Shah along with age seems to be adding on the risqué factor with each performance. First the ‘khalujaan mein se khalu nikaal do’ act in Ishiqya and now a rain dance, a smooch and a one night stand. But we don’t mind. Aesthetics.
Manoj Bajpai and Ajay Devgan both delivered just as much expected, so there wasn’t any over the edge performance. Arjun Rampal was a surprise to watch. He delivered more than two and a half expressions and looked hotter than ever. So completely forgiven. Also added in the surprise package was Nana Patekar’s performance which was very unlike characters he usually portrays. No hamming, screaming, spurting blood or fire from the eye, or breaking anything but constant smiles. For once I liked and I don’t think the kids got scared either.
Katrina Kaif, they said this performance was meant to lift her into a different category of actors. They were wrong. I still think she looks more believable romancing Akshay or Ranbir, then being a sari clad grieving widow, delivering melodramatic, out dated dialogues in chaeshth hindi. Her dialogue delivery failed to string on the audiences emotions. 
Ranbir Kapoor. I’d just like to say ‘perfect’ and end this post right here, but I wouldn’t want you think that my bias stems from the fact that he’s the single most attractive, salivacious, lusted after, dreamaliscious, actor, dancer that we have going today. So putting your bogus theories aside I’d like to expand upon the fact that he played the character of Samar Pratap to the hilt. Due to circumstances he gets sucked into the arena of family rivalry, only to turn into a master of the craft of political warfare. The story portrays his determination to protect his family in the bloodiest of political battle.He is very convincing when he portrays the introvert brother studying abroad. Equally convincing as he morphed into a calculative politician. Full points for playing a loving boyfriend, and we even empathized with his character when he was manipulating Katrina Kaif’s feelings for him (no pun intended). All in the name of family. During the course of the film, Ranbir Kapoor made you connect with Samar Pratap’s trying circumstances. I’d definitely vote for him.
Moving on to the other titty – bitty’s - Dialogues – OH MY GOSH!!! Which era did Prakash Jha think he was making the movie for?!! Even Salman Khan’s Veer set in 1825 had people speaking a simpler language. C’mmon which mother says ‘tum mere jayesht putra ho!’ no wonder Ajay Devgan looked angry in the scene, I bet even he couldn’t understand that all she meant was you’re my first son.I personally feel, every illegitimate child should be spared the ‘main aur tumhare pita us raat, bhavnao ki aandhi mein beh gaye…’ kind of lines. He gets the point. Referring to one’s self as ‘hum’ is as outdated as Juhi Chawla in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. By the time the third leading lady gets preganant, pregnancy too starts feeling outdated.
The only place I’d say Rajneeti scores without a debate is on the soundtrack.Inviting a collection of varied composers offers seasoning for a diverse platter. On loop, on my playlist would be Bheegi Si Bhaagi Si, composed by Pritam,a mid tempo catchy number and thereafter shifting the mood is More Piya composed by Aadesh Shrivastav. Unfortunately they’re both not featured in the film.
So overall if you get tickets for half the price then this movie could be a bargain.
