Maqbool - Der Pate von Mumbai

I saw this movie a long time ago and I saw it again recently, cant get enough of how amazing this movie is. A Hindi movie worthy of being screened at every internatinoal film festival, in fact it was screened at various festivals and was appreciated.

The list of the talented starcast is huge, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur, Tabu & last but certainly not the least, Irrfan Khan(playing the title role of Maqbool).

Story is about an underworld side kick who starts to have an inner conflict and where he has to make a decision and choose between loyalty and deceit, all because of a woman who is the mistress of the underworld gang leader Abbaji (played to perfection by Pankaj Kapur).

Performances, lines, screenplay, background score and editing, cinematography are 1st rate.

Fascinating movie. A perfect adaptation. Since I saw the Indian adaptation before the Scottish original; it actually made me appreciate how seamlessly the story has been adapted. Pankaj Kapur as Abbaji is sensational. Note his expression when he is stopped and told that the cops are waiting for him after his arrest warrant is issued. He controls his anger and sense of injustice with humor. A classic moment. Also his revenge in the police station is well written. Full marks to Vishal for the screenplay. The casting is superb and the best example of getting a consolidated cast absolutely right. Irfaan as Mia gives a steady performance but this helps the surrounding cast to shine. Tabu is first rate. So is Om Puri. And watch for the characterization of Abbaji's silent right hand man. His devotion to Abbaji and then to Allah (watch his movements first to the song being played at Eid and then when he is asked to consume alcohol) comes across very real. As real as it gets . I am a big fan of this movie and VB to me is a sensational directorial find.

Vishal Bhardwaj has proven Rudyard Kipling wrong. West does meet East.

I just came back after watching Maqbool directed by Vishal Bhardwaj (remember Makdee or the music director of Maachis?).

And i am stunned. In this brilliant film, Macbeth meets Mumbai with such ease that i didn't think it would be possible.

It is an adaptation of Shakespeare's MACBETH. Only Duncan is the king of underworld (Abbaji - Pankaj Kapoor). Macbeth is Mian Maqbool (Irfan Khan). Lady Macbeth is Nimmi (Tabu). Macduff is Kaka (Piyush Mishra)

And the kingdom is present-day Mumbai.

Around them are India's best acting talents: Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, and Ajay Gehi.

This film is slightly different from Macbeth though. Macbeth is driven by his love for the throne. Maqbool is driven by his love for Nimmi.

He murders Abbaji and declares himself the leader of the gang. The underworld is in a state of shock and everyone suspects Maqbool. But no one dares raise a voice against him. Maqbool then goes on to murder his close friend Kaka to gain absolute power.

He is led (or misled) in his endeavour by two corrupt cops. (Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah). They essay the role of the three witches in Macbeth.

The performances are of a high order. Pankaj Kapur delivers his career-best performance. Followed closely by Tabu. In fact it is a photo finish.

Vishal Bhardwaj is a great storyteller. He imbues the film with a number of sparkling sequences and dialogues. Bhardwaj and writer Abbas Tyrewala do not resort to gimmicks and instead have been as realistic as possible. The guilt pangs that Nimmi and Maqbool suffer after Abbaji's murder is one phase that takes the film to a different high altogether.

In the end, all i can say is, Maqbool has the potential to be a landmark film in Bollywood. In spite of its shabby marketing.

This film is, in short, a masterpiece. A unique interpretation on Shakespeare's "Macbeth", "Maqbool" features Irrfan in one of the most brilliantly executed roles of modern cinema. He remarkably inhabits the skin of a character who is muddled, murderous, and maniacal. Pankaj Kapoor, as the invincible Abbaji, is astonishing in his portrayal of the Muslim Mob Boss. Truly an incomparable performance. As for Tabu, she is PERFECTION. This is not Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth- she is equally fierce, but given a softer and more shadowy countenance. Tabu is officially a text book of acting (take note, screen queens Rani, Preity, Aish, Madhuri, and the rest- this is what a REAL actress can do). Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri give expert portrayals. Kudos to Bhardwaj for creating a film which is not only unconventional, but eerily radiant. Ram Gopal Verma and Mani Ratnam now have company as India's most innovative filmmakers.

Yes!yes! that it is.The film came as a fresh breeze of air when Hindi cinema is experimenting with all sort of stuff.With probably one of the greatest star cast in the world ; the film is worth spending a premium.People who neglect the role of Hindi cinema in world entertainment or who don't like Hindi cinema at all should look at this film.The plot goes as follows Abbaji ( Pankaj Kapoor ) the underworld kingpin of Mumbai has two faithfuls helping him in his business Maqbool ( Irfan Khan )and Kaka ( Piyush Mishra ).Nimmi ( Tabu ) Abbaji's younger wife loves Maqbool and wants him to take the place of aging Abbaji.One day on Abbaji's daughter Sammera's ( Mausami ) wedding to Kaka's son Guddu ( Ajay Gehi ) Maqbool and Nimmi secretly kill Abbaji.The throne of Abbaji is open whom Maqbool is intent on occupying with hook or crook.The two inspectors Purohit ( Nasseruddin Shah ) and Pandit ( Om Puri ) serve as bribed workers to this family. All an all a powerful five star.Hats up ! to Vishal Bhardwaj who won accolades from Karan Johar , Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan for this film.