Film Review: Aks

IS LIFE eternal? Is death an end or merely a transformation? Is the body just a volume of mass and weight? Or is self-defiled by the Other-Self? Is infinity intelligible? And is Soul independent of decay, undefiled by reality? Also, what is a Soul? Rakesh Omprakash Mehra's ``Aks'' - meaning reflection - which opened at cinema halls across the country this past week asks such uneasy questions with no easy answers. Touted as a ``supernatural thriller,'' this Amitabh Bachchan starrer defies all definitions of popular mainstream cinema. And therein lies its strength. Also its vulnerability.

The film starts in shadows, survives in silhouettes. Shot primarily in Budapest, this Rs 14-crore venture is, on the face of it, just a cop-and-killer story, a tale of a serial killer - played with eerie calm by Manoj Bajpai - and a senior policeman out to nab him - played by Amitabh Bachchan the way only he can. Bajpai as Raghavan takes to unusual methods to get rid of his foes. With serial murders, he makes quite a killing. Until in comes Manu Verma - Amitabh Bachchan as the modern-day epitome of Good to extinguish the Evil. The hunter lays his hands on the prey. Good prevails over Evil. Well, not quite. Because, as many believe, death is merely a transition and soul independent of mortality. Soon the hunter becomes the hunted, the line between good and evil disappearing into nothingness of moral situational vacuum.

The film's appeal, however, lies in its technical finesse. It heralds the face of Hindi Cinema-2001. Every frame is a visual delight. And in parts it delights. Every shot is becoming an ad- man-turned-a-film-maker. Well ahead of times for Hindi cinema, this is a high-risk venture. Mehra has rushed in where more experienced men have feared to tread.

``Aks'' is an electrifying picture of powerful performances. Raveena Tandon comes up with a gripping portrayal of a bar girl. Sultry siren Nandita Das lives up to her reputation and holds her own in front of Big B. And Anu Malik's music is a departure from his scores for sundry other films. If different is necessarily dazzling, he must be already smiling. Then there is Bachchan. The resonance, the magnetism is there. And those deadly eyes leave one hypnotised.

As Manu Verma, he instils life and breath into his role. Take away Bachchan from ``Aks'' and you have a film with as much stability as a multi-storeyed house of cards. Bachchan alone could have taken on this role.

The film is likely to evoke extreme reactions. Some may find this Hollywood-style Bollywood offering ``too surreal.'' But then patience has its rewards. And they will come in plenty for those who sit through this largely compelling film right till the end. As a cinelover, you will like it more when you watch this film for the second time. The problem is it is difficult to sit through this ``Good versus Evil'' tale the first time. Its novelty is challenging. But then under grim lights the stranger who peers at you from the mirror deserves more admiration than Narcissus. A ``stranger'' answering to the name of Amitabh Bachchan! Bachchan and stranger? Well, what is it that we said about infinity being intelligbile...

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Section  : Entertainment
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