BOLLYWOOD
Amit V Masurkar's movie is nearly flawless, should be on your watchlist!
Film: Newton
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Raghubir Yadav, Anjali Patil and Sanjay Mishra
Director: Amit V Masurkar
Newton Kumar, a first time presiding officer is sent on election duty to a Naxal-controlled area in Chhattisgarh that has just 76 registered voters. This also happens to be the jurisdiction of Aatma Singh (Pankaj Tripathi) a paramilitary commander. Newton and two colleagues, one of whom – Loknath (Raghubir Yadav) is constantly troubled by his tummy issues, are joined by a local booth level officer Malko Netam (Anjali Patil). Though Newton is determined to carry out the elections in a fair manner, the odds are against him. What happens next forms the crux of this satire.
Newton has some powerhouse performers creating magic on screen. The movie begins with a brilliant cameo Sanjay Mishra, who wisely advises Newton to keep at his job rather than expect praise for his honesty. That sets the tone for he movie. Rajkummar Rao then takes over as the youngster, who wants to do the right things - like object to marrying an underage girl, refuse dowry and go to great lengths to get as few as four votes cast. He is joined by the effortless Raghubir Yadav and Anjali Patil. And then there's Pankaj Tripathi. The actor is on a roll as far as performances are concerned. Be it Gurgaon, Bareilly Ki Barfi or this movie. He has been knocking it out of the park every time. While Rajkummar is probably amongst the better actors in the industry, Pankaj is the star of this show. Every movie belongs to that one actor who shines above the rest of the cast, no matter how brilliant everyone else is. This film belongs to Pankaj. He stands taller in every frame. Don't miss his expressions in the scene where Rajkummar tries to complain about his behaviour to another official. Anjali is great in her part and makes one wish we could see more of her.
Director Masurkar sets up the story in a rather clever manner. The various characters are a way to portray various ideologies. There's Newton who is absolutely honest, his colleague Loknath is slightly cynical who treats every day with equal disdain while thinking of writing stories of zombies, Malko is a realist who tells Newton that change can't be expected overnight, and completing the circle is another team member, who goes through all the motions without giving it all much of a thought. And at the epicentre is the system. The media sees what it is shown. From an officer who doesn't care if a single vote is cast, to asking his team rounding up all those who have a voting card, the irony of the situation is heartbreakingly real. The tribals, pulled in two different directions — by the officials and Naxals — are of little concern. With this film, we go into a territory and demographic that has largely been ignored in films, but at the same time, you don't feel out of place here.
Masurkar makes humour his weapon of choice and sets up a satire that leaves you entertained, but also brings to fore some uncomfortable questions. He also manages to stay neutral and doesn't pass a judgement on any of the sides. So, is hope a choice or a compulsion? That's for every individual to decipher. The film sends out two important messages — first, there's a lot of difference between the ground reality and what's portrayed, and second — do your bit without expecting a greater glory for it and the world will change bit by bit every day.
Masurkar's victory also lies in the fact he takes up an intense subject, but never lets it go into the documentary zone. He peppers it with laughs and thoughts that draw both smiles and smirks. While the flow of the narrative is easy-breezy, it doesn't offer a simplistic view of the scenario. Dialogues by Masurkar and Mayank Tewari are spot on as is editing by Shweta Venkat Mathew. Getting the casting right even for the smallest of parts proves to be a major plus. A special mention has to be made of the thought-provoking lyrics by Varun Grover and Irshad Kamil.
There's very little to nitpick, but this isn't your regular masala Bollywood entertainer. It won't gloss over the truth and present a rosy picture.
Do watch.
Who is Sagar Adani, Gautam Adani's nephew, accused of bribery, fraud charges in US?
PayPal down: Several users face issue while logging into accounts, say 'no one could...'
IND vs AUS: Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins eye historic captaincy milestone in Perth Test
BGT 2024, Ind vs Aus: Can Shubhman Gill be the new Cheteshwar Pujara? Is he really ready?
The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Gifting: Discover Heirloom Pashmina by Pashmina.com
Effortless Relocations: The Perks Of Professional Removalists In Melbourne
Watch: Pakistan fan with 'Imran Khan' poster asked to leave Hobart stadium in Australia
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for...
What is demisexuality? Everything you need to know about this lesser-known sexual orientation
WATCH: World’s shortest woman meets world’s tallest woman, video goes viral
IND vs AUS 1st Test: Predicted playing XIs, Perth weather forecast and pitch report
IND vs AUS: When will Rohit Sharma join India squad? Check latest update
'Scam 2024': Diljit Dosanjh lookalike pranks people on Pune streets, video goes viral
Delhi Air Pollution: Centre announces staggered work timings for govt employees; check details
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio loses nearly 80 lakh subscribers in just 30 days, BSNL adds...
IND vs AUS, 1st Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs Australia match
This country has most expensive passport in world, not US, UK, UAE, it costs Rs...
Amid rising air pollution, Delhi-NCR's crematorium records cleanest air; check AQI here
Revolutionising Medical Imaging: Venudhar Rao Hajari’s impact on healthcare technology
Abhishek Gupta and Onevision Media: Scaling brands on social media
Video shows Korean girl eating jalebi for first time, her reaction to Indian sweet goes viral
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details
Charges against Gautam Adani: BJP's scathing attack on Congress, questions timing of development
Jasprit Bumrah's BIG statement on taking up Perth test captaincy, says, 'tactically better...'
Blackout on breaks: Company imposes no-sick-leave policy until 2025
Drug-laden terrorists on India's western, northern frontiers
Mohammad Shami trolls Sanjay Manjrekar over IPL auction bid prediction, says, 'Baba ki...'
IND vs AUS Test: When and where to watch 1st match of Border-Gavaskar trophy, know details here
CAQM amends Grap Stages III, IV, enforces stricter measures in Delhi-NCR amid air pollution woes
Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 after suffering from...
Adani Green Energy's FIRST reaction after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
'Keep me out of...': Pakistani Instagram star Mathira on MMS leak controversy
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI marginally improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category
'I love him, he loves me! Why hurt...': Rekha's bold confession about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral
Meet man, IITian who built Rs 5493 crore firm, has this Mukesh Ambani connection, he is from...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 21, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
‘I didn’t have time to…’: When AR Rahman revealed having ‘agreement’ before marriage to Saira Banu
Viral video: Woman's sizzling belly dance to 'Namak' impresses internet, watch
Hardik Pandya banned, Mumbai Indians captain to miss first match of IPL 2025 due to...
Meet man who studied at IIM, IIT, then built Rs 1160000000 company, got inspired by…
Meet woman, who quit as dentist for UPSC exam, became IAS officer with AIR...
Viral video: Little girl steals hearts with her adorable dance to 'o meri cutie', watch
Gautam Adani's company signs another pact to acquire 100% stake in...
CBSE Date Sheet 2025 announced: Class 10, 12 board exams to begin from...
Apollena: Aditi Sharma on how space-based drama encourage young girls, says 'no matter how many...'
Is Mia Khalifa dating ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez? Former adult star says 'It certainly...'
IPL 2025 auction RTM rule: How this year’s right-to-match card is different from previous seasons
'Virat Kohli is trying to...': Shoaib Akhtar makes BIG statement on Champions Trophy 2025
Maharashtra Election 2024: Mukesh Ambani and family cast their votes in Mumbai
Centre revises performance-linked incentive scheme for THESE employees; check details
Manipur violence: Prohibitory orders to be relaxed in Imphal Valley for 7 hours