Producer: Suresh Sharma, Abdol Samee Siddiqui
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan, Pankaj Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Ishteyak, Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Ruby Bhatia
Pahlaj Nihalani, Neeraj Vora, Tusshar Kapoor, Ranjit Kapoor, Mukesh Tiwari, Lekh Tandon, Sayali Bhagat
Music: Sukhwinder Singh, Vanraj Bhatia

The early nineties saw a steady deluge of films being made on socially relevant subjects concerning corruption, molestation, crime, abuse, scam and many more. But gradually this trend took a backseat as other prominent genres of filmmaking surfaced into the limelight, leaving these social concerns at bay.

However, Rajkumar Santoshi hailed as a director of totally different temperament tries to put back the trend at work with his much talked about film ‘Halla Bol’ and quite happily, the filmmaker does hit the mark. Celebrated for hard-hitting dramas like ‘Ghayal’, ‘Ghatak’ and ‘Damini’, Rajkumar Satoshi yet again proves that he hasn’t yet lost his magical touch to enthuse and arouse.

But not to forget, this one is a typical Rajkumar Satoshi stuff that hardly fails to picture the ugliness convincingly. With its soul-stirring drama, realistic situations and heart-felt emotional scream, this film definitely drives home a point. And their similarity to our contemporary times is unerringly obvious. But at the same time, this film has got its own share of cinematic liberties as well.

Ashfaque (Ajay Devgan) is a small-town lad who wishes to make it big in the tinsel town. He unites with a street theatre group ran by a dacoit-turned-social crusader Siddhu (Pankaj Kapur) who uses this medium to bring awakening among the masses.

Ashfaque struggles hard to make it big until one day he finally gets his long awaited break into films. His whole world seems to change after that including his name and he is awarded with a filmier name Sameer Khan. Lady luck shines at him and within a small time he makes name for himself in the industry. Now he becomes Sameer Khan- the superstar, an actor who can pull off any role with ease and élan and march away happily with all laurels and applauds.

Slowly and slowly, he gets so much enamored by the showbiz that he starts to lose connection with his real self. Corruption pervades his entire self and gradually he starts distancing himself from his loved ones, counting his beloved wife, Sneha (Vidya Balan). 

But a startling event at a party seems to break the thin glass of glitterati for him and he is placed in a trying situation of choosing between his ethics on one hand and his stardom on the other.

This film in short is a take on how corruption has steeped into our daily life, how money and power corrupts, how a voice of one can ultimately become the voice of many. Although the film starts off as a story of a superstar enamored by fame, the film soon gives way to a sensational incident when a wealthy spoilt-brat shoots off a girl at a party that leaves all the spectators shaken. Yet no one comes up with a brave front when investigated on the matter. Ajay Devgan, who is one of the witnesses to the horrific incident, is caught in a fix as to which way to go. Then follows his actual transition from a gaudy arrogant superstar to a real life hero who fights for the cause of justice. With the aide of a dacoit-turned social crusader Siddhu, played by Pankaj Kapur, Ajay finally trails his way to moral righteousness.

But like all other films, this one has its shortcomings too. Firstly, the film cold have subtracted on its length for greater effect. Also the climax could have been better erected.

Commenting on the performance of the film, it wouldn’t really be an exaggeration to hail Ajay Devgan’s performance as his career best. His pauses as well as silent sighs are something to look forward too. Vidya Balan, although pitted in a brief role, does carry her fiery exuberance with great conviction. Pankaj Kapur is as always at his best here. It’s a treat to watch him act. Darshan Jariwala’s chameleon act is another strong point of the film. Also are a part of starcast actors like Tusshar Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Sridevi and Boney Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Neeraj Vora and Aarti Chhabria.

Santoshi does a superb job here and so does the music director for the film Sukhwinder Singh whose stirring music adds to its appeal. Camerawork by N. Nataraja Subramaniam is superb while dialogues by Santoshi and Ranjit Kapoor are good.

In general, ‘Halla Bol’ is a great film that hardly misses to pinch. Worth a watch!