Satyagraha movie review: Amitabh Bachchan steals the show

A massive movement, which is needless to be mentioned, is still unsullied in our wits. Film: Satyagraha; Actors: Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpayee, Arjun Rampal, Amrita RaoDirector: Prakash JhaMusic; Salim-Sulaiman, Indian Ocean, Meet Bros Anjjan and Aadesh ShrivastavaRating: ***A massive movement, which is needless to be mentioned, is still unsealed in our wits. The movement which moved the entire nation and the constitution couldn't have been more effective than it was that it compelled our Parliament to take a serious note of it. Befitting such a gigantic act into a cinematic jar wouldn't be that simple for any filmmaker.Satyagraha would not be termed as a portrayal of Anna movement, which enraged the entire nation to join in. However, it delves the platform on which the protest took place and Prakash Jha does it what he is best known for. He digs into the shady politics and brings out the hidden notions which alter the business world where corrupt politicians are at the fore to cash in as an opportunistic.Dwarka Anand (brilliantly played by Amitabh Bachchan) in the initial screenplay held greed responsible for corruption which is spreading like cancer. Prakash Jha takes a dig at it cleanly and portrays a massive movement of which the world has been the witness in recent couple of years.Manav Raghvendra (Ajay Devgn) owns a telecommunication company in Delhi and wants to make it bigger than it is. He has a friend Akhilesh (Indraneil Sengupta) who follows the footsteps of his father Dwarka Anand, an idealistic by nature. Akhilesh gets killed in an accident and his father is compensated with a token of Rs 25 lakh. But who isn't versed with the restless system of our country. Despite of the repeated attempts by the cruelly widowed wife (Amrita Rao), she only discovers the lethargic attitude of the administration. Here begins the protest to bring Daduji out of jail who is in there for slapping the District collector. Joined by Yasmin Ahmed (Kareena Kapoor), a political journalist by profession and Arjun (Arjun Rampal), an emerging youth politician, Manav takes the lead in the protest which sooner takes a massive movement.This movement isn't packed with large number of people but cinematographer never makes it look short. The water cannons, lathi charge makes the outrage look partially authentic. But that is in the first hour of the play where Prakash Jha has a tight grip but he loses from the second hour.Prakash Jha tries to demonstrate the rage of the aam-aadmi with stuffed pupils and commuters on the ground but mostly looks dragged and forceful. Ajay Devgn ditching his profession for the sake of revolting against corruption is a bit hard to believe in while mass movement shaping up through social media borders the screen but not our hearts.There are few more to it. Kareena Kapoor being a journalist getting personally involved in the movement, her news channel's OB Van being used like her personal vehicle and is mostly driven by Ajay. The romantic number Raske bhare tore nain shot between Ajay and Kareena finds a needless space. All this leaves you with disappointment instead of provoking you with anguish. Here, Prakash Jha's Daduji is at the core who is undoubtedly his best creation in the flick. Though all the characters play a quintessential part but Daduji is the one who never loses his stem. You could easily point out numerous technical and non-technical flaws in this socio-political saga but Daduji brilliantly played by the legendary actor overshadows few of them with his innocence.Instead the silent moments which are fewer, work more. There is a scene where Dwarka Anand in his room mourns his son's death. He moves slowly to his daughter-in-law's room to calm her down and then he make his way to the terrace to witness Manav weeping.Prakash Jha uses Dwarka aka Daduji's character at the core that is undoubtedly his best creation in the flick. Daduji brilliantly played by the legendary actor overshadows few of cliches with his innocence and idealistic nature. Either it is to capture relationship with Manav or to portray him as an inspiring figure for the millions, the director does it efficiently. Amitabh Bachchan is exceptional as Dwarka Anand. His screen presence is so effective that you can get only inspired by him. Each dialogue he delivers is nothing less than a moral for his admirers.The second actor who delivers a brilliant show is undoubtedly Manoj Bajpai who plays the cunning politician perfectly. He skins into the clever character efficiently and also makes you laugh on fewer occasions.The lucky mascot for Prakash Jha, Ajay Devgn is good. He brings out the simplicity in his character.Kareena Kapoor plays the hardcore journalist with responsibility. She charms into her character.Arjun Rampal as a youth politician is great. Amrita Rao among all has lesser role in the flick but is good.Music jointly given by Salim-Sulaiman, Indian Ocean, Meet Bros Anjjan and Aadesh Shrivastava is good. The backgrounds score Raghupati raghav songs will give you goose bumps while Raske bhare tore nain is classical romantic number which is picturised beautifully.I'll go with three stars for Satyagraha.