Jaswant Sisodiya (Manoj Bajpayee) is a man in power of the entire Bijnor, a district in Uttar Pradesh in India. Lanka the film beautifully captures the life in this sleepy town. The cinematographer has skillfully depicted the lifestyle, mannerisms of the typical locals in U.P. and one feels literary amidst the people of Bijnor. Lanka – movie review…
Also called as Bhai Sahab he is cruel, shrewd, keeps political connections with all parties and works his way out under any circumstances. Being offered a ministerial seat in the ruling party, Bhai Sahab rejects it, stating – its better to rule as a king in a small province, rather than losing his identity if he joins any political party.
Bhai Sahab has his cruel side and he forcibly keeps a mistress Anju (Tia Bajpai) who is a intern doctor in a hospital in Bijnor. He has such kind of power that the girl cannot run away from the city, nor will any police station take down her report, nor can her parents pack their bags and migrate to any other city. He has created such a terror.
This beautiful doctor yearns for a knight in shining armour to come and release her from the clutches of this evil and powerful man.
Chhote or chhota bhai of Jaswant Sisodia (Arjan Bajwa) returns to his native place after a long period. The Bhai Sahab had adopted this young boy after the kid’s father is killed. So this chhote is a protégé of Bhai Sahab and is indebted to this cruel man.
Yet, chhote is a man of different principles. Though he is Bhai Sahab’s most trusted and close aid, Arjan Bajwa disapproves of his mentor’s cruelty towards Anju.
Eventually Arjan falls in love with Anju (Tia Bajpai) and after battling extensive contemplation with himself, he finally decides to retaliate.
Lanka is basically a depiction of old adage “Ghar Ka Bhedi Lanka Dhae”. This old saying is based on the epic clash between Lord Rama and Raavan who was the evil ruler of Lanka. Wicked ruler Raavana abducts Sita while she is in exile with her husband Rama.
Lord Rama reaches Lanka and prepares for the epic battle, and it is here that the wicked ruler’s brother Vibhishana (an ethical person) denounces the morally corrupt ways of Raavana and retaliates against him.
Lanka is the story of a clash between two closely bonded brothers when love takes over lust.
Maqbool Khan takes time to develop the plot and this is what impresses. Tina Bajpai as the learned and practicing doctor and shown as the helpless girl enduring cruelty is subdued and fine. Arjan Bajwa too is underplayed and silently bears the ordeals of his mentor towards this girl.
But it is Manoj Bajpayee who rules throughout the film. He is towering and delivers another crackling performance in Lanka. With such finesse he portrays the role of this wicked maniac with remarkable blend of lust and shrewdness. Overall it is a fine drama with a somber ending.
Cast of Lanka:
Jaswant Sisodiya – Manoj Bajpayee
Anju – Tia Bajpai
Arjan Bajwa
Yashpal Sharma
Manish Choudhary
Yatin Karyekar
Shveta Salve
CREW / CREDITS of Lanka:-
Banner – ASA Production and Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., BVG Films
Producer – Vikram Bhatt
Co-Producer – Basudev Bhandari
Director – Maqbool Khan
Music Director – Toshi Sabri
Cinematography – Jalees Oberoi
Choreography – Baba Yadav
Editor – Hamanti Pradhan
Sound – Rajendra Hegde
Story Writer – Shashank Dabral
Media Relations – Glitterati Entertainment Solutions
Lanka – movie review