Movie Review: The attacks of 26/11- could have been more real, still watchable

New Delhi, Mar 2: Ratings- ***Cast- Nana Patekar, Sanjeev JaiswalDirector- Ram Gopal VarmaThe day when not only the nation but the whole world stopped under one of the most disastrous event which took place in Mumbai on 26 November 2008, is like a nightmare to many.Replicating the whole carnage would a big responsibility for any filmmaker as wrong depiction of any event could invite strong reactions.Director Ram Gopal Verma, mostly known for his horror and underworld gang warfare flicks has taken up the brutal attacks of 2008 with keen responsibility and has assured that none of the sentiments get hurt. ‘The Attacks of 26/11' is narrated by the then Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Rakesh Maria (Nana Patekar) who has investigated about how 9 trained terrorists held Mumbai hostage for 60 hours causing Mumbai under terror.RGV takes the chunk from where the terrorist group including Ajmal Kasab (debutant Sanjeev Jaiswal) ventures into Mumbai through sea shores; portrays the night of the incident between 9 PM to 1 AM until Ajmal Kasab was and finally was hanged at Yerwada Jail in Pune last year.It might be impossible for us to imagine the terror under which the victims would have gone through that night, but ‘Attacks' tries to thrill with its bloody encounters flashing around Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Café, Taj Mahal Hotel and Cama Hospital.There are few scenes including one where a wounded child watches a cop crying his throat out, or the other one where passengers and visitors play hide and seek at Chattrapati station and Taj Hotel respectively to escape death. The pain, sorrow, helplessness and everything try to make you feel one among them but it's a bit pale in its execution. The characters looked mostly caricatures. If you talk about those armed Jihadis their evil expressions seems pasted on their faces. The blood river flowing out of the dead looks painted rather could have been properly treated. The bullets out of gun machine seem untriggered at moments.But RGV spares us at least this time from his camera experimentation. In the first scene where fisherman are out for their work in the Arabian Sea, the camera circles unnecessarily reminding you of his earlier projects including Department. There are few more in the beginning where the lensman struggles to grab a proper frame obstructing the flow, but sooner gets on track.Considering all, RGV is successful in giving a lump in our throat at few occasions. You would feel sorrow for those died brutally including the killing of the then ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and ACP Ashok Kamte. In acts Nana Patekar and Sanjeev Jaiswal shines. Their characterization is perfectly crafted. Nana shows the fear uprising terror and pressure of handling the whole situation with dedication. While in the second half he keeps his best foot forward when he kicks Kasab's butt refreshing his trashy mind fueled by his Aka.Sanjeev has to be given a special mark for executing Ajmal Kasab particularly in the final few minutes. He is brilliant in his performance, considering his first appearance.It would be unwise if I don't admire Amar Mohile who gives a brilliant back ground score while the movie has only one song ‘Maula Maula' in the background.Editing could have been much better if sudden change of scenes would have been avoided and music be jelled properly.I'll go with 3 stars for RGV's ‘The Attacks of 26/11' which provides a descent narration of the ill-fated day giving a tribute to the cops and the never dying spirit of nation. Had the movie been more refined it could have been a perfect comeback for the director. But despite all could be watched.