By Arun Sajnani
PRASSTHANAM…Agar ek beta ko bachana hai, toh doosre ko marna hoga…” – Translation – ( If one son has to be saved, then the other son has to die…) – This is the dilemma that Politician – Baldev Singh, played by Sanjay Dutt has to face, including a dark secret that he has kept behind closed doors for the past 25 years from his family and children.
Director Dev Katta, has remade this Telegu hit film into Hindi called, “PRASSTHANAM”, which means “Institution” It has a political satire as a back drop, but it runs more like a” Greek Tragedy”, or rather a Shakespearean play. Who is the worthy kin to run for election and hold office in the Indian Government? A father has to choose between his adopted son or his real son, who has been spoiled rotten, who is ruthless, unstable. and is a loose canon. There are many lobbyists that also create problems for their family to divide, particularly Chunky Pandey, who plays an elite coal – industrialist, that has vested interest.
Sanjay Dutt suits the role of patriarch with a gangster touch as always. He is restrained in his performance. Manisha Koirala is apt as the wife, and mother who is in turmoil with the state of being with her family. As for Satyajeet Dubey as the spoiled brat, and Ali Faizal as Ayush the stepson, are very good in their performances. They bring the right amount of sensitivity to their vulnerable characters. Even Jackie Shroff as the loyal bodyguard who quite silent throughout is very good as well.
But there is the flip side to this film as well. It feels like a 90’s style Bollywood film, with crappy songs that are not needed, and looks dated due to that as well. But the drama and conflict of a family drama has come out after a long time, and the audience will be intrigued on that matter. The film gets a 3 star recommendation. Courtesy Awesome TV & BEING FILMY.
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