Producer: Sanjiv Karambelkaar
Director: Gaganvihari Boratte
Cast: Nandita Das, Sharad Kapoor, Sayaji Shinde
Music: Hridaynath Mangeshkar

‘Lal Salaam’ is a hard-hitting realistic film based on the true incidents relating to tribes and their culture. The film is produced by Sanjiv Karambelkar and directed by Gaganvihari Borate. It is not the regular commercial potboilers of Bollywood, but breaks free from the formulaic ones. It is a bold venture that is daringly different. 

Kanna (Sharad Kapoor) and Rupi (Nandita Das) love each other since childhood. Kanna is an educated and intelligent man who is doing his M.B.B.S. in Nagpur. The tribe takes pride on him. Ghisu (Vijay Raj) his brother is an illiterate and hotheaded man whom the Naxalite Rajayya (Makrand Deshpande) convinces to join his group. Kanna warns Ghisu from joining them. Ghisu gets further motivated to become a Naxalite due to the killing and torture upon the helpless villagers by Forest Ranger (Akhilendra Mishra) and Inspector Deshpande (Sayaji Shinde). After someday Rupi disappears. Kanna returns back to hear the news and starts believing that she has died. On the other hand Rupi has joined the Naxalites. She learns that Kanna has returned but she can’t go back to the village to meet him. More villagers get lured to become Naxals as it can give instant justice. The government sends special task force to control the Naxals.     

Director Gaganvihari Borate makes his sincere efforts to present the film as realistic as possible. This film gives an insight into his deftness as a filmmaker. He weaves brilliantly drama and emotion and the outcome is brilliant. The film fulfills his intention to touch the heart of the people and bring the sensitive issue of Naxals on the surface. With the thought provoking screenplay Gaganvihari keeps his focus constant to the main theme. Also he executes some scenes brilliantly.  However the film doesn’t call for commercial viability due to its restricted mass appeal owing to the grave mood and setting. Also the music of Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar is meant for the elite and common cinegoers won’t derive much pleasure out of it. Dialogues are power-packed and cinematography is fantastic.

Nandita Das excels with a first rate delivery. Both being a village girl and a Naxalite she leaves her mark. Sharad Kapoor skillfully handles his part. Sayaji Shinde and Akhilendra Mishra are fabulous in their role. Makrand Deshpande, Vijay Raaz, Rajpal Yadav are efficient.

‘Lal Salaam’ is a treat for the audience of realistic cinema. Taking that into account the business will flourish more on the multiplexes than the rest of the country.