Here is a high voltage drama based on one of the most controversial policies of caste based reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. Aarakshan movie review…
Aarakshan is the hindi word for ‘Reservation’. In India there is a caste based reservation of jobs in government and educational institutions. Prakash Jha, the director has presented complex social and economic issues in a very simple format.
It is the story of Prabhakar Anand (Amitabh Bachchan), the legendary idealistic principal of a college that he has single-handedly turned into the state’s best. His loyal disciple, Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan) who will do anything for his Sir. Of Deepak’s love for Prabhakar’s daughter, Poorbi (Deepika Padukone), of his friendship with Sushant (Prateik).
It is the story of… their love, their lively friendship, their zest for life, and of their dreams for the future.
Dr Prabhakar Anand is the principal of the renowned STM college where Deepak Kumar has an interim job as a teacher at the college. Deepak has a girlfriend Poorbi, who is Dr Prabhakar Anand ‘s daughter.
The upright and frank principal faces dirty politics when Professor Mithilesh Singh (Manoj Bajpai) comes on the College board. Mithilesh, who is recommended by the state minister Baburam, is a cunning and a wily person who seeks only to enrich himself by running a private coaching class, KK Coaching, outside the college. The minister has a stake in this coaching class, which has plans to expand rapidly.
Dr Prabhakar Anand notices that Mithilesh, instead of dutifully taking lectures in college, gives his time to his private coaching class, which is immediately disapproved by Dr Prabhakar Anand.
So, this wily professor Mithilesh plans to out Dr Anand from the college. On one occasion, Mithilesh on his own, calls the police during an admission session, which brings the college in bad light.
Mithilesh rakes up the controversial issue of reservation (which means Aarakshan) of seats on caste based system to bring in trouble for Dr Prabhakar Anand, while on the other hand he sees his private coaching classes expand.
The backward classes welcome reservations as it provides opportunities for education and upliftment of their social status. Whereas the upper classes are against reservations since they believe in a level-playing field.
Mithilesh is successful in his devilish plan and gets Dr Anand involved in a controversial issue and gets the principal ousted from the college.
An interesting twist here in Aarakshan, instead of succumbing to pressure, Dr Prabhakar Anand begins from scratch, coaches students without any fees in a tabela compound. He is supported by Deepak and Sushant. The second half loses pace and at times it drags.
Amitabh Bachchan is outstanding, Manoj Bajpayee gives a powerful performance. The brigade of Deepika, Saif and Prateik are just fine and apt. Superb dialogues and the first half is just awesome. It is a story of high drama, conflict, and rebellion, which tests love and friendship among the youth and their loyalty for the sincere and straightforward principal.
Cast of Aarakshan :
Prabhakar Anand – Amitabh Bachchan
Deepak Kumar – Saif Ali Khan
Mithilesh Singh – Manoj Bajpai
Poorvi – Deepika Padukone
Sushant Seth – Prateik
Kavita Prabhakar Anand – Tanvi Azmi
Mantri Baburao – Saurabh Shukla
Anirudh Chaudhary – Darshan Jariwala
Shambhu Yadav – Yashpal Sharma
Police Inspector – Mukesh Tiwari
Damodar – Rajeev Verma
Retired Professor – S.M. Zaheer
Neta Bhishamber – Vinay Apte
Mrs. Kantaprasad – Anita Kanwar
Special Appearance – Hema Malini
Chetan Pandit
Credits & Crew of Aarakshan:
Studio Prakash Jha Productions
Directed By Prakash Jha
Written By Prakash Jha & Anjum Rajabali
Screenplay By Prakash Jha & Anjum Rajabali
Produced By Prakash Jha Productions
Music – Shankar Ehsaan Loy
Director of Photography – Sachin Krishn
Editor – Santosh Mandal
Art Director – Jayant Deshmukh
Costume Designer – Priyanka Mundada
Action Director – Prem Sharma
Production Controller – Sudhirbhai Mishra
General Manager, Productions – K.L. Chhabra
Lyrics – Prasoon Joshi
Choreographer – Jayesh Pradhan
Background Music – Wayne Sharpe
Aarakshan – movie review