Deshdrohi - The Preview

"Jitni nafrat tumhare dil mein hamare liye hai..utna hi pyaar hamare seeney mein tumhare liye hai" - Ladies and Gentlemen, join me in applauding the rise of another cult movie that will join Mithun starrer Gunda in Bollywood's top list of Avant Garde films. The fact that I too belong to the land of Bhaiyyas creates a greater sense of attachment to this film that I wish to spread amongst you all.

Deshdrohi is not just a film. It is a smart business venture to cash in on the topicality of the Maanus-Bhaiya controversy. KRK, as the oppressed protagonist packs a punch and leaves everyone stunned with his confidence. He is an inspiration to all sons of the soil who are now afraid to land in Mumbai fearing attacks against them. Their mental agony is very well depicted by KRK when he vents his ire in front of the goons before unleashing some fiery flying kicks and some more verbal jabs - "Aaj tumhare dar se Mumbai choroon. Kal kisi aur ke dar se Dilli chorun. Phir ek din kahoge Hindustan chor do"

The film projects KRK as the modern age Gandhi with a violent touch. Mahatma Gandhi was pushed out of a train in South Africa. That incident saw him transform from a regular guy to a man who changed a nation’s destiny. KRK in turn is thrown out of a BEST bus. He then metamorphoses into a Haan Main Bhaiyya Hoon avatar to give everyone a good understanding of UP-Bihar culture – “Kabhi UP Bihar aake dekhna, mehmaan ko bhagwan samajhte hain hum”. When they don’t seem to understand, he doesn’t shy away from punishing the errant through violent means single handedly. This is where his character departs from the Mahatma’s line of thinking. His is ably supported by 4 of his heroines and 22 actors (as he proclaimed in an interview) in this epic saga that has shaken the throne on which Kundan Shah’s Gunda sits unchallenged for all these years.

Such has been the growth in stature and popularity of KRK post Deshdrohi that even SRK has started to feel insecure. It is rumored that for this very reason, he decided to copy KRK's look in his forthcoming movie Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Is it purely coincidental that SRK too sports a similar hair style and moustache as KRK does in Deshdrohi? What a film like Asoka couldn't do to Shahrukh (Didn't Asoka look like SRK rather than the other way around in the movie), KRK's reputation has done. Way to go Khan. I mean Kamaal Rashid Khan. This film has also resulted in a shift in style statement. The pan-chewing, flashy jeans and sunglasses sporting, manly-mustachioed look that was once looked down upon is in. It also propagates that it is the strength of will rather than those muscular abs that can help you beat the hell out of a whole gang of anti-national elements. The fight sequences have been well thought out and are brilliantly executed on screen. Just look at the sliding punch that our hero delivers in the most sensitive part of a male anatomy. You don’t need a six-pack abs to do that, do you?

Besides KRK and the nature of the subject chosen, it is the dialogue delivery that creates an impact. When an inspector asks the hero why he turned a beggar from a king, KRK displays loads of attitude in his reply -

“Aye Inspector..Mera naam Raj Kumar Singh Yadav hai..aur Yadav sirf raja hota hai, bhikhari nahi”

Perhaps he is referring to the likes of Mulayam and Laloo Yadav in making a generic statement about the community. But his arrogance sets adrenalin rushing and people watch with utter disbelief as this man of unimaginable courage sings in the deserts with his sweetheart and then returns back to clean the society of all traitor elements.

The film was made for a modest 5 crore INR but KRK decided to invest further 7 crores in its promotion. He released it alongside KJo’s gayish Dostana. You have to give credit to this guy for daring. This film has done what none could ever do. In an age where Hrithiks and the Rampals sway the entire nation with their orthodox Greek good looks and urban touch, KRK has given respectability and confidence to people from the Hindi heartland to go ahead and dream big despite coming from unconventional backgrounds. Don’t believe it? Watch this mesmerizing performance where a KRK wannabe tries some awesome dance moves.

And..before I sign off, here’s another strong statement..Kaa Bujhla Tu