Delhi 6(2009)- Bad Deja Vu by Kala Bandar

Many years ago we all might have heard about the “Monkey man” who was creating panic.We all were hearing and reading about the monkey man in “Doordarshan” and Daily Newspapers.Now we have a film on the character ‘Monkey man’ as ‘Delhi 6′.

The film tries to exploit the Unity in Diversity with the help of the cultural background of Delhi. “Abhisekh Bachchan” is the grandson of “Waheeda Rehman” who’s last wish is to die in her homeland who are currently living in America.Abhisekh Bachchan takes back her grand mother to Delhi there he gets a warm welcome.The rest of the film is about the unity and hatred between religions over some consequences which take place in the city of Delhi.
‘Rakesh Omprakash Mehra’ uses different themes to project his idea on the screen,he uses the ‘Ramayana’,unity and diversity concept, and of course the ‘Kala Bandar’ which is the heart of this film.The love factor also plays an important part in the film which is filmed between ‘Abhisekh Bachchan’ and ‘Sonam Kapoor’.The cast of the film is filled with big names like Waheeda Rehman , Rishi Kappor,Om Puri,Prem Chopra,Atul Kulkarni etc.,.The first half of the film is dedicated to the introduction of the culture,traditions,brotherhood between Hindu’s and Muslim’s in Delhi.The ending of the first half is infused with a scene in which ‘Abhisekh Bachchan’ jumps on the roofs of houses.(Very much inspired from District B 13 )




The second half of the film is used to disturb the equilibrium of the first part and make it look like a plot which we have never heard before.The second half tries very hard to come out the of the first half.At the end we will be witnessing the win of love,unity of Hindu’s and Muslim’s and a cameo.
For me ‘Delhi 6′ is a very poor film.’Rakesh Omprakash Mehra’ tries to present a different story of unity and diversity of India but eventually fails as the story telling has severe loop holes.The Screenplay leaves us just thinking of the ending scene without allowing us to concentrate on the present ones. Kamlesh Pandey and Prasoon Joshi make you feel disappointed.The entire first half of the film leaves us in very deep contemplation about the plot which eventually turns out nothing.The one thing which i liked most is that the shit shown in Indian TV Channels which is true.

The character ‘Kala Bandar’ looks good in the initial stages of the film but it does not create any good foundation for such a story.I felt confused with the story and the ‘Kala Bandar’ as they hardly have any kind of attachment with each other.We watch ‘Abhisekh Bachchan’ getting slapped three times,we see Sonam Kapoor dancing with a pigeon,the Ramleelas,the mosque’s,the temples, and the ‘Kala Bandar’ concept but none of them works.There are also some cameo appearances by Anu Malik and Javed Akthar.The music in the film is very good but the songs in the films say to us that these are the only moments which you will enjoy.
Amitabh Bachchan makes a special appearance but that doesn’t make the film look good.I felt like i was watching an Iranian film in which the best part is revealed in the end but ‘Delhi 6′ does not come in that category too.The concept of ‘Kala Bandar’ and ‘Mirror’ looks good but they really don’t fit into ‘Delhi 6′.

Rakesh Omprakash Mehra tries to tell a old story in an innovative way but it lack’s soul which is very crucial for such films.The ‘Kala Bandar’ in us fails to ignite the passion.

Originally published on Passionforcinema.com