Film Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande Review

'Sahi Dhande Ghalat Bande';

Starring: Parvin Dabas, Vansh Bhardwaj, Ashish Nair, Kudeep Ruhil;

Directed by: Parveen Dabas;

 

Parvin Dabas has deliberately timed the release of his directorial debut, Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande, to coincide with the historic movement against corruption that is sweeping the country at the moment. If he hasn't, then it surely is fate for the movie, as Dabas' tale speaks of a little crime syndicate that has a change of heart for the better when their own village's farmers are threatened by the government's move to acquire land for a corporate factory against their will.

Dabas, who has long been a recognizable face in Bollywood's unconventional cinema, with movies like Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara and Khosla Ka Ghosla behind him, chooses to go alternative with his opening directorial effort as well. Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande also sees him pen the story and screenplay, as well as play a lead role in the film's cast. However, it is clear that while his acting talents may be superior, Dabas needs some extra efforts in the other departments.

For one, when the story opens up, the audience is given a bit of a crash course in India's land acquisition policy which allows the government to displace rural populations at an arbitrary price against their will in the name of development, an arrangement that has allowed a morbid nexus to grow between the political and corporate classes. When the slide plays on screen, one wonders whether the movie is out to make a political statement, which is fine if it does.

However, the first scene of the movie, where Rajbir (Parvin Dabas) steps out of the back gate of a jail after serving a year's term, even as a rival criminal gang waits at the front to bump him off, makes it seem as though the movie might be a grittier crime drama. However, at the end, it is neither, as the film's inherent attention deficit doesn't let it become either.

Still, Parvin deserves some props for innovating to some extent with his plot. Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande is the story of four friends, Rajbir (Dabas), Sexy (Vansh Bhardwaj), Ambani (Ashish Nayyar) and Doctor (Kuldip Ruhil), who work as muscle for a gangster/aspiring politico called Fauji (Sharat Saxena). All four are residents of Khanjawla village, which is being eyed as a spot for a factory by a shady corporate type played by Anupam Kher in a blink-and-miss role. Aiding him is the chief minister, played by Kiran Juneja Sippy, who has opportunely notified the land.

When Fauji takes up a agreement to eliminate all opposition to the proposal, primarily the farmers' dharna, being led by Malik (Yashpal Sharma) and Rajbir's Tai (Neena Kulkarni), the foursome realize that they might be badmaash, but aren't kameena enough to go against their own family.

With some quick thinking, Rajbir plots to hoodwink Fauji and others into unintentionally financing the farmers' movement and plan the kidnapping of Hitu (Udit Khurana), the chief minister's unassuming college-going son, who is himself an upstanding young man aware of his social responsibilities, to use as influence against the CM's notification.

Though Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande eventually proves to be the story of the four core characters' personal salvation, it is obvious that Parvin's directorial vision is frequently out of focus with regards to the tale. The way he keeps flitting between crime drama and political statement is bound to make the audiences quite uncomfortable, especially since Dabas kits the movie out with some rather unnatural dialogues.

Angles like that of Rajbir's involvement with Neha (Tena Desae), a photographer girlfriend of his who is set to marry somebody else, and his fixation on buying a plot of land that his late father sold off years ago, are also quite needless as they don't really add to the story.

But, Dabas deserves salute for extracting some interesting performances from his actors. While Parvin himself is excellent as the brooding, conflicted Rajbir, the others, like Bhardwaj, Nayyar and Ruhil, are also well cast, fitting their roles like a glove. Sharat Saxena as the gangster Fauji is also suitable, while Kiran Juneja Sippy doesn't have a lot of scope in the movie as the CM.

The same goes for Tena Desae's Neha and Anupam Kher's corporate tycoon role. Young Udit Khurana, however, is a remarkable casting choice and works well in parts, bringing a lot of sincerity to his role as Hitu.

Dabas' other strength in the movie are the visuals he creates, with some very interesting montages, set up. The chase sequence between the four criminals and Hitu is beautifully done, as is the climactic confrontation setup between them and Fauji. Cinematographer Anshul Chobey works wonderfully with the light, using warm and cool tones to set the mood for the movie.

Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande also works, in part, because of its music, which has been composed by Siddhartth Suhas and Dhruva Dhalla, capturing the feel of the edgy Haryanvi setting of the movie. The track lalaji, which is used in its original and remixed form in the movie, is a highlight, while nainowali whiskey is used well in the initial moments of the movie.

Overall, Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande is certainly a great start for Parvin as director. It is worthy to watch once.