Mere Hindustan Ki Kasam (Gaganam/Payanam) Movie Review
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Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999): This is a Hindi film starring Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan, Sushmita Sen, and Manisha Koirala. It's a patriotic drama dealing with India-Pakistan relations and separated twins. This is likely not the "blockbuster action film" featuring Nagarjuna, Prakash Raj, Sana Khan, and Brahmanandam that you're asking about.
Gaganam (Telugu, 2011) / Payanam (Tamil, 2011): This must be the movie you're thinking about. It was a 2011 bilingual action thriller, and its Hindi dubbed version is usually distributed as "Mere Hindustan Ki Kasam" or something close to that. My review will be based on this movie.
Review of "Mere Hindustan Ki Kasam" (Originally "Gaganam" / "Payanam")
"Mere Hindustan Ki Kasam," released under the title "Gaganam" in Telugu and "Payanam" in Tamil, is a gripping hijack thriller that impresses for its realistic treatment and absence of South Indian masala flavors (songs, extraneous romance, over-the-top action). Directed by Radha Mohan, it's a welcome respite and was for the most part well-liked for its different approach.
Plot:
The movie revolves around a hijacking of a passenger flight (Star Jet Flight No. SK 957) from Chennai to Delhi by a band of terrorists. Their demand is the release of their leader, Yusuf Khan. The action takes place mostly in the cramped quarters of the hijacked plane and the control room, as a group of government officials and National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, commanded by Major Ravindra (Nagarjuna), deliberate to rescue the passengers. The movie carefully chronicles the high-wire negotiations, the cat-and-mouse games between authorities and hijackers, and the responses of the passengers, which ranged from enthusiasm to shock.
What Worked:
Realistic Approach: This is the film's biggest strength. Radha Mohan deliberately avoids commercial tropes, focusing on a more grounded and believable depiction of a hijack situation. There are no unnecessary songs, fight sequences, or romantic subplots that would detract from the core tension.
Taut Direction and Screenplay: The movie has a gripping pace for a good part of its duration. The screenplay is clever, generating suspense effectively in the compact setting. Radha Mohan's direction is sharp, drawing out good performances from the ensemble cast.
Strong Performances
Nagarjuna as Major Ravindra: He provides a dignified and effective performance as the cool and cerebral NSG commando. He establishes authority without need for heroics. This was a change of pace welcome to the actor.
Prakash Raj as Home Secretary K. Vishwanath: Prakash Raj excels as the bureaucrat caught in political heat and the exigency of the moment. His projection of a helpless but resolute official is superb.
Ensemble Cast: The movie boasts a big ensemble of characters, from passengers and crew to airport staff. Every actor, regardless of his role size, adds to the general credibility of the scenario. Sana Khan as a passenger and Brahmanandam as a movie director trapped in the hijack also deliver notable performances, as well as some much-needed situational comedy.
Technical Aspects:
Cinematography (K.V. Guhan): The work within the confined plane and control room is excellent, and it rightly captures the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere.
Background Score (Pravin Mani): The score for the background is ideal for the thriller genre, heightening the suspense without becoming obtrusive.
Art Direction (Kathir): The model of the plane and the airport sets are very authentic, contributing to the realistic tone of the film.
Intelligent Dialogues: The dialogues are witty and add to the story, be it the despair of the passengers or the tactics of the officials.
Humor: Brahmanandam's character, though comic, is organically woven into the story and serves in terms of actual laughs without spoiling the suspense.
What Could Have Been Better:
Minor Pacing Problems (here and there): While on the whole tight, some audience members may perceive the opening setup or some of the negotiation scenes as being a mite slow, particularly those accustomed to high-octane commercial thrillers.
Predictability (to a degree): Although the ride is compelling, the final result (a rescue accomplished) is somewhat predictable based on the genre. Nevertheless, the movie shines in how it arrives there.
Overall Impression:
"Mere Hindustan Ki Kasam" (Gaganam/Payanam) is an immensely worthwhile viewing for any viewer who enjoys a good, clever thriller. It's an example of what can be done in creating great drama without using typical formula. It's a movie that values realism and suspense, making it a fresh and a compelling viewing experience. It's not a normal "blockbuster" when it comes to excessive action, but a "blockbuster" when it comes to original and successful storytelling in the thriller format.
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Top Cast of the Movie
The real strength of the film lies in the way these varied characters belonging to different backgrounds get involved in a tense situation, which makes the film an interesting human drama considering the thriller aspects.
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