The launch of a worthwhile revolution has to have a foundation of clear-cut objectives. And where the aim itself is not defined, what is the point of just running a parallel government type organization in the name of revolution? Red Alert movie review…
This will lead nowhere, as it is deceiving yourself and cheating your followers who have put their faith in you.
Director Anant Mahadevan has come up with an outstanding movie Red Alert which is based on a true story. It has a slick narrative and has turned out to be an edge of the seat thriller, which honestly presents both the sides of the conflicting groups – administration and the naxalites. Even the men in uniform stand exposed, exploiting their powers especially when an innocent girl is seen by them as their prey.
‘Red Alert: the War Within’ is based on the true story of Narasimha (played by Suniel Shetty), a poor farm labourer who desperately needs money to support his wife Uma (Bhagyashree) and fund the education of his two children. To earn some extra money, he supplies tiffins, and then he finds himself in the midst of the Naxalite movement, forced to make difficult, and morally questionable, choices.
This innocent cook is dragged into the naxlite group led by Velu Anna (Aashish Vidyarthi) and the mastermind behind the group Krishnaraj (Vinod Khanna). Though Narsimha is drawn into playing an active role in the naxalite group’s adventures; he is never with them by heart.
At first, Narasimha (Suniel Shetty) starts as a mere cook for the terrorist group. Before too long, he graduates to weapons training, shootouts and kidnappings. A good, kind man trying to earn for his family, Narasimha finds himself in a position he had never bargained for; a man left with no choices.
The conflicted Narasimha’s life gets more complicated when a confrontation with the group leader (Ashish Vidyarthi) turns his world upside down; now he’s caught in the middle of the law and the militants.
The only way Narasimha can survive is when he finally takes matters into his own hands. He has to decide whether he follows his conscience and thwart the movement? Or, should he look out for himself and his family, and embrace the Naxal cause?
Superb performances from Naseeruddin Shah, Vinod Khanna, Gulshan Grover and Bhagyashree. Surprise package in this film Red Alert is that the glamorous Sameera Reddy puts in a very dedicated performance.
Suniel Shetty who has immense talent is yet one of the most underrated actors in Bollywood. He is as natural as the protagonist, worried about his family, sensitive about the well-being of the innocent people even when he is running for own his life.
Script writer Aruna Raje has touched a very sensitive matter about the difference between terrorism and revolution. But how long should this revolution be allowed to last for years? For years, decades and even for long, while there is no sign of the ultimate victory?
Red Alert exposes the hypocrisy of the self-acclaimed revolutionary leaders who preach good ideals, but practice totally indifferent, selfish and inhumanly when dealing with the individuals working for them.
This true life story which is filmed in the backdrop of Andhra Pradesh. It ends with a message – that there is always another way other than violence. One should admit its existence and then look for it.
Cast of Red Alert:
Suniel Shetty – Narasimha
Sameera Reddy – Lakshmi
Bhagyashree – Uma
Ayesha Dharkar – Radhakka
Seema Biswas – Sarlakka
Ashish Vidyarthi – Velu
Makhrand Deshpande – Raghavan
Sunil Sinha – Murli
Zakir Husain – Chikka Reddy
Ehsaan Khan – Krishna
Gulshan Grover – DIG Rathod
With Naseeruddin Shah- Naga
And Vinod Khanna – Krishna Raj
Credits & Crew of Red Alert:
Directed by : Ananth Narayan Mahadevan
Produced by : Rahul Aggarwal & TP Aggarwal
Written by : Aruna Raje
Cinematographer : K. Rajkumar
Editor : Sanjib Dutta
Executive Producer: George Cameron & Asif Shaikh
Associate Director: Divaker Naik
Costume Designers: Shayal Sheth & Naveen Shetty
Art : Sanjay Jadhav
Stunts : Allan Amin
Music : Lalit Pandit
Lyrics : Javed Akhtar
Red Alert, movie review