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Nayak (General Movie ,2001)  Starring
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Synopsis
What would you do if you were to become the chief minister for a day? South Indian director Shankar’s forthcoming film “Nayak The
real hero” seems to have the answer to this universal fantasy.
Made under Sri Surya Banner, the film is a political thriller starring Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukherji, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal and
Sayaji Shinde.
It is the story of a dauntless TV journalist Shivaji Rao (Anil Kapoor) whose search for truth and honesty brings him to the point of
changing the entire corrupt bureaucratic system of the country.
Balraj Chauhan (Amrish Puri) is the chief minister who uses well-garnished rhetoric to justify the sorry state of affairs. One day, in
the course of a live interview, Shivaji grills the CM with a barrage of tough questions. In return, the CM snaps that in politics
things are easier said than done, and challenges Rao to be the CM for a day. But can one man change the entire system in a day?
Chauhan is convinced that it takes a pretty long time to understand the ramifications of politics and no man would be able to make any
difference in just a day.
Undaunted by Chauhan’s bullying tactics, Rao takes the challenge head on with grit and determination and becomes the CM for a day.
What follows is Shivaji’s fight against the odds.
He begins the cleaning process at the root level and fires all the corrupt public servants. With the support of people from all walks
of life, he instantly solves the big problems that had been pending for years.
And, when there is just an hour left for his term to expire, he cracks down on corrupt politicians including Chauhan, gets them
arrested and calls for re-elections in the state.
Consequently, Rao continues to be the legitimate CM of the state. Incredulous at Rao’s sweeping powers, Chauhan and others of his ilk
plan to strike back. Now the question is will Rao emerge as the real Nayak in the face of adversities or just end up as another
loser ? Will the corrupt ones have an upper hand over the honest one?
The film’s story although novel is a little too fictitious in the sense that it blatantly makes mockery of our political system
without offering any plausible remedies to cleanse it. However, one plus point of the film is the mellifluous tunes by the music
wizard AR Rahman. Veteran songwriter Anand Bakshi has penned the lyrics.
Review
Remake of the Tamil hit “Mudhalvan” “Nayak, The Real Hero” is Shankar’s first Hindi film. Its plot is unconventional and strains
credulity.
Shankar has chosen a novel subject and dealt it in a different style. The sleek cinematography (by K. V. Anand) and A.R. Rahman’s
musical wizardry gives it an added edge. But the film falls because its story progresses with timely recessions. Shankar gently builds
up the intensity , takes it too soon to its boiling point until it all fizzles out. And then he starts all over again.
The film takes off well in the first half but begins to drag in the second half, particularly after the arrest of Balraj Chauhan, the
chief Minister. At this juncture, one expects the story to gain momentum but, unexpectedly, it strays into fairyland with romance
between gorgeous lass Manjari (Rani Mukherji) and Shivaji Rao (Anil). The songs, although beautifully picturized, punctuate the flow
of film’s story.
Rani Mukherji appears in yet another ‘just-for-the-heck-of-it’ role. Her mere ‘blink-and-you-will-miss-her’ presence in the movie is
explained by Bollywood’s stereotypical necessity of having someone opposite the hero to bill-and-coo. Another stereotype that mars the
film is Johny Lever’s puerile comedy, which is completely insipid and intolerable.
As far as performances go, Anil Kapoor once again proves that he deserved this year’s National Award for the best actor. His whole
persona exudes confidence and power. He brings about the required intensity before camera and convincing plays the character, who
dares to be the chief minister for a day to cleanse the corrupt system. Paresh Rawal also impresses with another commendable cameo.
Another highlight of the film is the riveting action sequences (particularly the ones on the lines of Matrix) propped by the visual
special effects by S.T. Venky. Some of them like Anil’s fight in the slime were shot with as many as 36 cameras and the result
shows on the screen. Shankar has made an ambitious attempt but he needs to bring more maturity into his work.