Hindi Movie Review: The Attacks of 26-11
-Mahavir Sanglikar
The Attacks of 26/11 is a Hindi film based on the true incidents of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai, which were carried out by 10 young terrorists between 26th November to 28th November 2008. The film is directed by Ram Gopal Varma, who is famous for his excellent direction. The film is produced by Parag Sanghavi.
I recently watched the movie in theater. This is a short review of the film.
The Storyline of The Attacks of 26/11
The film starts with Joint Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria's statement before the Commission investigating the incident. Then we see a boat of fishers in Arabian sea, which meets another boat which comes from Karachi. The men on Karachi boat are seeking help. But the Karachi men highjack the fishers' boat forcing the captain to carry them to Mumbai. The highjackers are 10 in number. As soon as the boat reaches near Gate way of India, the highjackers kill the Captain of the boat.
In fact, the highjackers are terrorists who wanted to commit attacks on various important places in Mumbai. They spread in groups. Two of them go to the famous Leopald Cafe. There they kill many people using their guns. Then they go to nearby Taj hotel, which is internationally famous. There also, the terrorists kill many people, including women.
Two other terrorists go to CST station, which is the most important and crowded Railway Station. Here too the terrorists kill may people. There are just 3-4 police personnel on the railway station, who are helpless, although they try to resist. Except one policemen, all of them get killed.
All the three terrific incidents are presented in the film very seriously and the viewers freezed while watching them. The director is successful in presenting the ruthlessness of the young terrorists.
The film takes a halt after the incident on the CST Railway station.
Rakesh Maria, the then Joint Commissioner of Police wants a commando action, so he request the cabinet secretary for reinforce the police force with National Security Guards. The NSG commandos come to Mumbai from Delhi.
Two of the terrorists capture a Skoda car and go on another mission. But a team of police succeeds to stop the car. One of the terrorists get killed and second is caught alive.
Why you Should watch this movie?
The film gives you a thorough idea of the attacks on Mumbai. The attacks shown in the films are realistic. The acting of Sanjeev Jaiswal, who has played Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist caught alive is superb.
The film has no direct songs disturbing the story. Technical aspects of the film are good.
What the film Lacks?
The film lacks many things including many incidents. Nana Patekar, the great actor who has played Rakesh Maria has no chance to show his acting skills in this film.
The director has avoided to show any action taken by commandos. He shows just actions taken by Mumbai Police, the killings of many police persons and the helplessness of Police force. In reality, 8 of the terrorists were killed by NSG commandos and Military, but the director has avoided to show it in the film. Moreover, the director has avoided to show the attacks by the terrorists on other places, and have shown just 4 incidents of attacks.
The director has missed to give a better action film and has focused on the story of Rakesh Maria, the Joint Police Commissioner.
You can understand many things in the film only if you know about the real attacks.
My Rating
My rating to this film is 2.5/5
Cast and Crew of The Attacks of 26/11
Language: Hindi
Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Producer: Parag Sanghavi
Written by: Ram Gopal Varma, Rommel Rodrigues
Action: Javed Eijaz
Cinematography: Harshraj Shroff,M. Ravichandran Thevar
Cast: Nana Patekar, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Ganesh Yadav, Atul Kulkarni, Jitendra Joshi and Many Others
What Others Say about the Film?
It would be interesting to know what others say about the film Attacks of 26/11.
Ramgopal Varmahas portrayed the events in a one-dimensional, jingoistic, and almost hysterical tone -Rajeev Masand, CNN-IBN
The Attacks of 26/11 is a powerful subject watered down by ineffective story-telling. This could have and should have been so much more -Anupama Chopra, Hindustan Times
'26/11' lacks depth. It doesn’t attempt to figure out why this massacre was allowed to happen, and pretends there was no aftermath. It plays very safe and is just not political enough. So its intent remains suspect, and troubling -Suparna Sharma, Deccan Cronicle
The first half of the movie is a true test of endurance - thanks to the horrifying bloodbath that we are presented but the movie makes it up in the second half when good trumps evil -Kaushik L M, Behind Woods
Watch First Seven Minutes of 'Attacks of 26/11
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