abishekrao
I don't know what actually happened in 90's but if we take it as just a film, this is an absolute masterclass from Hirani and all the actors who played part in this beautiful film. So rare to see such movies being made in India and we will love to see more of them.
john robinson (Fizzle_Talks)
Sanju seems to be one of those films that appeals to the movie-going audience but not the critics, and is one of the few cases in which I feel strongly in favor of the general public. I've been disappointed with a number of the most highly acclaimed Bollywood flicks, such as 3 Idiots and Rang De Basanti, and this is one of very few that I felt thoroughly invested in, even more so than the similarly Hollywood-esque Dangal.Sanju has a flair to it that resonates beyond its three hour runtime. Though I was captivated through the entire film, it had evolved so much by the end that early plot points became somewhat of an enigma, an effect that was echoed by the main characters battles with drug addiction. There is such a wide range of emotions and themes throughout the film that I was shocked at how little whiplash there was in the execution, which was a large reason why I compare 3 Idiots unfavorably - That film's serious moments are incredibly jarring, whereas this one's are handled very tastefully. The film starts off with somewhat of a dark comedy tone which I feel is very well executed with quick gags and immature innuendos abound. It's got just enough charm to pull it all together, and acts as a powerful tool of levity for the main protagonist as his world falls apart around him. I felt both actors behind Sanjay did an excellent job portraying this flawed, yet strangely endearing character. Sanjay's descent into drug addiction felt spot-on in its portrayal, and it was complimented by an unflinching representation that offers a look into the causes and effects of a drug addiction. As it proceeds, it gets more and more frustrating, yet it makes more and more sense as it gets worse and worse, and it makes the fight all that much more endearing, and that main struggle is only half of the film. Sanjay gets wrongfully accused of a terrorist act, and the film makes an effort to criticize news media's need for attention rather than factual news, albeit in a very on-the-nose fashion that could have used a bit more of the nuance that the film had it its first half. It feels like two films' worth of material in one character's life, and it's certainly got more of a fresh feel to it than a typical simple plot would allow. This film is very funny and incredibly sad, often at the same time, and what results is a film that feels a lot more human than the typical silly comedy or the dreadful misery porn film.I'm not a big fan of Bollywood tropes, especially not the abundance of music videos inserted into otherwise serious dramatic films, but this film manages to get around it in a clever way. There are not many of these moments, and they never cause bathos as they're hidden by the subplot of the main character acting in Bollywood films, and later on simple background music suffices over the car radio and is integral to character development. There is a comedic music video during the credits, however this isn't bathos either since it occurs after the story's been completed and there's nothing left at stake. It's a simple scene that pulls the tone back to that in which the film started, shifting the focus more onto the positive elements of these characters' lives and leaving on a motivational note.I'm sure the film isn't entirely factual, as no film truly is, and this seems to be a big gripe many have with the film, though I have no knowledge of the actual events as they were or what biases this film demonstrates. Perhaps dishonesty could bring the film's score down, but as it stands I was very impressed by the story I was provided, and it certainly has a message with much truth to it that's becoming more and more understood in modern times; mainstream media are running businesses, and as such they tend to be more concerned with sensationalism rather than reporting proper fact-based news. Whatever loopholes there can be, such as reliance on allegations, one can be sure they will be abused to their fullest extent, since despite a lack of evidence, one can still make an accusation and implication as long as they don't state it to be a fact. In fact, this is a complicated matter outright since besides the final sentence, there's not much to trust in the case, and there very may well be no proving this film's side of the story is inaccurate as well. There's no denying there's many jobs and much money in mainstream media, and such criticism can be a cause of concern for such people. I commend this film for using the news' main weapon against them, by making allegations without technically stating facts.
