Rang Rasiya - Colors of Passion Hindi Movie
Confession time. I saw Rang Rasiya months back, when the film was being shown to various interested buyers. The director had understandably got impatient holding the film for so long. I must tell you that it is not easy for a filmmaker to hold on to a film for so long. Especially when you know you have a story that should reach out. Secretly since then, I wished that the film finds it was to the screen, sooner than later. Not just because I empathized with the director, but because I believed in the story... and the way it has been told.
Raja Ravi Varma, I have come to understand, is not quite the name that pops up when we talk about Indian art. This 19th century great passed away long before the media could create him into the sensation. The very fact that he gave faces to gods and goddesses, ones that are so much a part of today's calendars is remarkable. And for an artist to have the vision of his work reaching out to people of every strata, through mass reproduction is something that could leave most of us wondering. Raja Ravi Varma's contribution transcends beyond his sphere of work. And this is what this film brings out. For one, I had absolutely no clue of his tremendous contribution to Indian cinema... a film on the man who made the first Indian film possible is important.
The story of Rang Rasiya starts in a court room where the protagonist is under trial for being amoral. He is alleged to have harmed Hindu sentiments by giving gods and goddess a face. The story goes into a flashback to reveal the artist's life, his work and his love story.
Rang Rasiya is not exactly a masterpiece but it has its elements in place for sure. Anil Mehta's cinematography makes every scene ravishing. Ketan Mehta makes sure the settings looks as authentic as possible. And thankfully, the film does not look dated. The actors support the director's vision by putting up a splendid act. Randeep Hooda shows he was always as brilliant, though only accepted recently. (This film was originally to be released in 2007, which is well before Randeep became the star he is today). Nandana Sen assures no inhibitions hinder her work. Paresh Rawal, Darshan Jariwala, Sachin Khedekar and the rest of the cast pitch in.
However you wish the screenplay was kept tighter. Removing a few scenes from the film, especially the ones with an awkward amount of nudity, could have probably helped the film.
Irrespective of any fault Rang Rasiya is a piece of cinema you could watch. This one will stand as one of the most deserving biopics in an industry which is suddenly trying to make films on just about anyone. Rang Rasiya is on a league of its own, meaningful and relevant a century after the man has gone.
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