mg-gopalan

Govinda as Ravi, cares for his blind and sick mother while his diligent dad works in a distant place. Shiva is the son of the dad's friend who are all snared in the web of a gang who are involved in concealing explosives in toys.

Both Govinda and Jack Daud carry the film, while most of the support cast are props. The storyline could have improved Mandakini's role from being just a lovey dovey person who emotively responds to stimuli.

The bad guys are a wee bit exaggerated and stereotyped, but that is the nature of most B-Grade movies. Songs and dance sequences are a bit insipid, the choreography could have been better. Stunt sequences are a bit contrived.

The plot however is nicely developed through to the denouement. There are boring spots, where one would wish the the director would mosey things along. Thankfully there are no rape or attempted rape scenes, but with the violence I would give it a PG rating, in other words, watch it first before you let your 14 year old watch. Definitely not recommended for younger children.

I am writing this in 2014, where rapes and other violence is in the press each day. I did never watch vernacular films, when I lived in India, during part of my youth. I am more than making up for it now.

This is a clean movie about an honest and upright officer, who comes across departmental corruption, power of landed aristocracy and the role of politicians in the decay of the moral and social fabric of India.

As other reviewers have said, this is a film with a difference:

1. No rape scenes 2. No overt violence 3. No mushy love songs

The social aspect of the lovely movie is the role of an orphaned boy and and a widowed woman. Further masala (spice) is added through the role of money and power in rural India.

Even 30 years later, in my travels, I find that nothing much has changed. People have cell phones and TV, but they are crippled through corruption of bureaucrats and other authorities.

Vijay Kumar is transferred to the very forest, where his father served creditably in the Department.

To catch poachers, ivory and sandalwood thieves, he first has to clean up his own field office. The arrival of his mother poses complications, right to the very end of this simple story line, with strong environmental conservation and anti poaching messages.

Rekha, as Neeta a wildlife photographer, danseuse turns in a saucy and sinuous performance. To the very end of a tightly edited and well directed movie, her loyalties are not clear. A creditable performance.

Farida Jalal as a simple village belle is quite convincing with her village-speak. It is only after the intermission that the plot unfolds to reveal her loyalties.

All in all, the direction is tight, Dharmendra's performance as Vijay Kumar, a Forest Officer defying all odds to emerge is characteristic of him. Stunts are sometimes a bit boring, but generally well done.

Immense amount of research has obviously gone into development of the storyline, direction, script and editing.

Two good hours of entertainment. If the songs had been better, I would have give it a #9 rating, so have to be content with a #8.