ragingbull_2005

There are two films within one. One about the Director Action Day of 1946 and the other about goons and MLAs in modern day Bengal.

The first is moderately gripping. The second is shockingly juvenile, almost hilarious.

In Kashmir Files, there was an organic connect between the past and the present. That seemed catharatic.

Here, it is forced, with narratives moving between the time periods without any need or coherence and seems completely exploitative.

I first became familiar with the Direct Action Day when I read _Freedom at Midnight_. The Sony LIV series based on the book also starts with this.

It has not been explored in detail as it has been done here. That section is blood drenched, disturbing. There are sections that show spark about what this could have been.

The acting is over the top, with Mithun taking the cake with his barely there lunatic act.

Avoidable.

One of the better rated early Bond movies, there are two things that stayed with me after watching this.

The first is the array of high tech equipment. Car that becomes a boat (fantastic underwater sequence), villain's lair that has dangerous sharks that can be fed with the press of a button (copied later in _Shaan_, the follow up offering by _Sholay's_ director).

The second is the stunning sexism. The double entendre dialogues, for such a main stream offering, will take your breath away. All the women want to sleep with Bond the instance they see him. And the feeling is mutual for Bond. The frequency of such interactions and dialogues will made your head spin.

The CgI looks amateurish almost 50 years later. The plot and the villain & his motivations are laughable.

Roger Moore is stylish and makes for a fitting Bond. Jaws, the arch enemy with the teeth of steel, is good.

Nothing special. Not meant for those who like Bond or those who don't.

One of the most exhilarating cinematic experience to originate out of India, for sure.

Rishabh Shetty has poured his heart and soul into this. His transformation into Guliga would hold you transfixed and might leave your hair standing.

Gulshan Devaiah is perfect as the evil incarnate prince. His non chalance while indulging in dastardly acts is a masterly act.

My only grouse- this could have been some what shortened. Unlike most films that don't know how to have things happen for almost half of their run time, this has too much story, worth at least 1 more film and to compress it into a single movie makes it a daunting watch at times. Also, the last 30 minutes stretch credulity.

But, hats off to Rishabh Shetty to pull this off. What a leap of faith and what a great ground covered.

I am very happy that folk lores from different regions are finding a pan India audience.