Producer: Mazhar Khan and Bharat Shah
Director : Mazhar Khan
*ing: Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Kumar Gaurav, Javed Jafrey, Juhi Chawla
Music: Anu Malik, R.D. Burman

Released on : April 14, 2000

Reviewed by: Alok Kumar
alok@indolink.com

out of 
Gang is Mazhar Khan's dream film that, after ten long years in the making, finally saw the light of day last friday in theaters all over the world. The film looks stale in some parts, but lavish and slick most of the time. Though the film on gangsters and the mob seems repetative after fare like Parinda, Satya, and Vaastav, Mazhar Khan succeeds in making an entertaining, if not brilliant, film. Gang, according to me, is the fifth notable film of 2000 after Hey Ram, Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Pukar, and Hera Pheri. Hopefully, the Indian public will give this action drama a chance, rather than condemn it due to it's long delay.

Gang runs on the performances of it's four lead players, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Kumar Gaurav, and Javed Jafrey. The film deals with four ambitious no-names from various decadent backgrounds trying to strike it rich and famous by, at first, committing small crimes for cash that eventually lead to much grander and dangerous capers. Gangu (Jackie Shroff), Abdul (Nana Patekar), Nihal (Kumar Gaurav), Gary (Javed Jafrey), Gangu's lover Sanam (Juhi Chawla), Nihal's girlfriend Divya (Ektaa), Gangu's mother and Gary's sister are all one big family. Eventually, after the murder of Gangu's mother and Gary's sister, the gang of four go on a bloody crusade as they attempt to avenge the death of their loved ones. The film chronicles the rise and fall of these men, ending with a violent and gory climax. Gang is a film with the same moral presented by Satya, Parinda, and Vaastav, that dealings in the Underworld eventually leads to dispair and tragedy. The one difference is that Gang is slightly more commercial than these other films.

The film is enhanced by excellent performances from Jackie Shroff, Kumar Gaurav, Nana Patekar, and Javed Jafrey. Juhi Chawla's role in the film is minimal, but she adds glamour and lightness to the film, not to mention that she looks absolutely stunning, especially in the enjoyable and catchy "Meri Payal Bole" number. Ekta's role is tiny, but her presence is remembered after the fact. The rest of the cast supports well.

Anu Malik's music is nothing to shout about, except "Meri Payal Bole", which follows in the same vein as Malik's previous chartbusters "Chamma Chamma" from China Gate and "Lal Garara" from Badal. The song sequence for "Meri Payal Bole" is very well done.

Mazhar Khan's direction is good, and he has made an impact with his first and only release. Had he spent a few more years in the industry, he would be known today as a stylish and lavish director in the same category as Ram Gopal Varma or Rajkumar Santoshi. In conclusion, give Gang a chance. So what if the film looks a bit dated in segments? It's well made, and that's what counts. Gang is a film that should be taken at face value, a nice, entertaining night out, nothing more, nothing less.