The Attacks of 26/11 released this week received good critic reviews and we have heard critics commenting that this would be the best film from Ram Gopal Varma in recent times. Below is the transcript of Ram Gopal Varma’s crisp ‘This’ or ‘That’ session with media.

1. Bollywood Or Hollywood?
Hollywood

2. Rahul Gandhi Or Narendra Modi?
Narendra Modi

3. Urmila or Antara?
Urmila

4. Better director..you or Anurag Kashyap?
Anurag Kashyap

5. Better crtic ..KRK or Taran Aadarsh?
KRK

6. Beer Or Whisky?
Whisky

7. Why had you never worked with SRK or Salman?
I don’t make films which suite their image.

8. 3 actors you hate?
I like every one.

9. One star why if you would like to date?
I won’t ..it’s too cumbersome

10. Your least favorite and worst Bollywood movie you would remember?
Aag

11. Yours worst?
Aag. I don’t want to comment one other’s films.

12. Any other remake you would want to do?
I still want to do remake of Aag because when I wanted to remake of Sholay it became Aag ..If I remake Aag it might become Sholay.

13. You are very active on Twitter who is that handle that you can’t stand?
I can’t stand any one who constantly tend to politically write.

14. Should Sachin retire?
I am not in to Cricket.

15. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when I say below names?
Amithabh -Sarkar
Dharmendra: -Yaadon Ki Baaraat (Corrected)
Sunny Leone – Sex
Sonia Gandhi -Dignity

16. Few brands that you would like to endorse?
I don’t have knowledge of brands.

RGV is always in the news for his actions and the way he makes his films usually triggers debates among media circles and audience. This time too his new movie 'The Attacks of 26/11' has created ripples among them as the film is based on 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

Ever since the film was announced doubts have been raised by the critics on whether RGV be able to showcase the actual story behind the attacks or not. However, 'The Attacks of 26/11' have received rave reviews from critics and apparently the movie has created huge buzz. And true to his words, RGV has come up with hidden facts and delivered a gripping emotional tale.

But, things seem to be not so smooth for RGV as the film's screening has been banned in Dubai upon censor board's rejection. It is known that the 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai are from Pakistan and that is stopping the UAE censor board to screen the movie to avoid disturbances. However, sources say the Bahrain and Omen governments have no reservations on the movie and they have cleared it for screening. And the fans of RGV are traveling to these countries over the weekend to watch this crime thriller. Looks like the ban cannot stop audience thronging the halls stepping over boundaries.

Banner: Eros International & Alumbra Entertainment
Genre: Crime
Cast: Nana Patekar, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Atul Kulkarni, Ganesh Yadav, Saad Orhan & Ravi Kale
Cinematography: Harshraj Shroff & M. Ravichandran Thevar
Music: Amar Mohile
Editing: Sunil M Wadhwani & Ajit M. Nair
Action: Javed Eijaz
Direction: Ram Gopal Varma
Producers: Parag Sanghavi
Release date: 1 March 2013
 
The dreadful terror attacks on November 26, 2008 that rocked not just the city of Mumbai but also the entire nation, have indeed left an indelible scar on each and every one of us. The ghastly episode shook one and all leaving us emotionally drained. ‘The Attacks of 26/11’, a film by Ram Gopal Varma, recreates the terrifying events on celluloid. The filmmaker has categorically said that the film is a tribute to the incident and rightly so, for he has been able to sensibly weave sentiments attached to the event.

Nana Patekar has essayed the role of the then Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police, Rakesh Maria, to unfold the events that had occurred on that ill-fated night.

A pensive Nana as Rakesh Maria initiates investigations by connecting the chain of events to unravel - how the attackers stepped onto the shores of Mumbai, the strategy they employed to execute their plan of killing as many people as possible, how the Mumbai police force and the government dealt with the terrorists – in a very crisp yet in-depth manner. The focus keeps shifting back and forth from Rakesh Maria to the actual events with the former reflecting deeply and presenting his insights over the happenings.

He briefs the viewers about what is going to unfold, ponders on the details of the dreadful event, and comes up with valid reasons to support his actions. In its running time, the makers have focused on covering the entire episode of the Mumbai attacks till the death of Ajmal Kasab in 2012.

The movie superbly throws light on the many aspects of terrorism in a mature and moving way. The film highlights how the ulterior motive of the terrorists is self-centred, their philosophy is hypocritical and how no one can escape the deadly paws of terrorism. For example, there is a sequence showing the attackers incessantly shooting the innocent crowd at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and how they spared none - be the burqa-clad Muslim women, the Hindu priest, the rich and the poor, the foreign nationals, children and even animals.

It is a film that is completely performance driven. I would like to throw a word of praise for the casting director here. Debutante Sanjeev Jaiswal, as one of the two key members of the cast, has worked extremely well to portray Ajmal Kasab`s character onscreen. For Nana, this film substantiates the fact that he can pull off thoughtful, powerful and serious roles like a pro.

After a string of flops, for RGV (who had earlier delivered successful films like ‘Satya’, ‘Company’) this is a comeback of sorts. `The Attacks of 26/11` will help the filmmaker redeem the ‘brilliant director’ tag. Now I know why he said that this film has been his most challenging project till date. Because recreating terror and its aftermath on celluloid is no mean feat! 



Movie Rating:4/5