Dev

By: Somesh Vasishth

Gory chases, charred bodies, lost humanity and brutality at its best mark Govind Nihlani's Dev, the film that finds it's roots in Gujarat riots. A meaningful film to some, Dev may be a total drab for the others.

Reason? Because it neither makes a popcorn affair (Sorry Bebo!) nor a food for thought (Sorry Mr. Puri).

Known for choosing hard hitting subjects, Nihlani proves his mettle once again in Dev as far as putting up a reality show is concerned but then ghost of commercial cinema takes over him and we find the talented director giving into the temptation.

Watching Mr Bachchan as an upright Police Commissioner Dev Pratap Singh, who lost his only son due to 'communal bullet' and Om Puri as morally corrupt cop Tejinder Khosla, in the same frame is nothing but a visual delight.

But the clichéd characterisation and stereotyped plot takes its toll on the movie that could well have been a classic.

Amongst the stalwarts stand tall the estranged kids, Fardeen as young Farhaan and reel-life Zahira Sheikh, Aaliya (Kareena Kapoor).

While the former turns hostile towards the system after Police kills his father, the latter bears witness to some of the gruesome crimes committed against the humanity.

Farhan's 'jehadi' ideology is fuelled by terrorist supporter Latif (Ehsaan Khan) and his ilk.

As the young man learns his lessons that there is no way to peace, peace is the way; power hungry Chief Minister (Amrish Puri) and his henchman Rao (Milind Gunaji) pull the strings of Dev, Khosla and Latif in order to save their seat.

Amidst the clash of philosophies and savagery of vitiated system Aaliya croons for her lover and even kisses but fails to lend any help to Nihlani's ambitious project. The director tries to save the clash of titans for the climax but till then it gets too late. The music of the film by Aadesh Srivaastav is soulful and cinematography is first rate.