Lajja- My thoughts
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Posted by David on September 06, 2001 at 07:11:27:
Saw it on Tuesday, but didn't have time to review. But here goes. I had really high expectations for the movie... I was one of the people who liked Pukar out right, and I like Santoshi's style. Getting straight to the point... I enjoyed the movie.
But maybe enjoy isn't the right word, because you can't "enjoy" watching the atrocities faced by the main characters. I think that's why a lot of people won't like the movie. It's hard to stomach reality... movies like Lajja hit hard because it is not an art film, and so no one is expecting the "reality" checks. But it is worth it. These things are really happening in India, and around the world. Granted, they probably don't happen so loud, but when have movies ever emphasized subtleness.
Performance wise I was surprised. Everyone is praising Rekha with good reason. She is perfect in the role. Perhaps the most chilling of the episodes, hers is also the hardest to watch. Madhuri... she's back. Beautiful, vivacious, and full of energy, Madhuri recaptures the style that made her famous in Beta. I think people will enjoy her episode the most because it is paced, she is great, and Badi Mushkil proves she is still the best dancer in Bollywood. I was surprised by Mahima, because in the begining she seemed confined to a dumb blonde role. But her dialogues have the umph that can only be pulled off by her. She hasn't been this good before, even in Dil Kya Kare. As for Manisha, she doesn't have a whole lot of scope, but of all the characters, you truly empathise with her the most. She holds the film together beautifully, and her chemistry with all performers in the movie can be deemed as powerful as any of the others. I'm glad to see her in a role worthy of her talents... finally. Jackie and Ajay were good in their roles, but Anil Kapoor is great. He steals your heart as he has in all of his guest roles... why he doesn't get the "Khan" treatment, no one knows.
The movie is intelligent without losing touch with it's target audience, preachy without blaming men, and hard-hitting. I give Santoshi credit for making what is, in my opinion, the 2nd best movie of the year after Lagaan. He took risks and made a movie never quite attempted like this. Damn the critics. Lajja is a film that entertains and teaches a good lesson. Films can excell in one or the other, and while Lajja is not phenomenal in either, it adresses both adequately. For that I am truly impressed. Give credit where credit is due... we ask for different scripts that fit within conventional commercial cinema... here we get it. Only Lagaan has done the same this year. Even DCH is essentially a love story told through modern means.
Not that Lajja doesn't have it's flaws. There are many... but what Hindi film does not have flaws? The ending was not horrible, but everything in between Rekha's scene and the end was a bit off. A bit melodramatic at times (but even Santoshi admits it in his pre-movie advisory). Only three songs. These didn't really ruin the movie for me.
All in all, it was a great movie. I don't think it will do well in India, but that doesn't bother me anymore because this movie has 4 phenomenal female performances... what other multistarrer can boast that? So with this movie, my top five run like this... 1. Lagaan
2. Lajja
3. Dil Chata Hai
4. Gadar
5. Zubeida Pretty sad that 2 out of the 5 were not hits, and it looks like Lajja may go the same way. Hit or not, Lajja is a winner. 8.5/10
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