Movie: Shool
It is a very recent film, not an extraordinary one, but having some quality of its own. This film is based on political background and the meaning of “Shool” is “Weapon of Lord Shiva”. The theme of this movie is based on the wild atmosphere in Bihar created by political parties. As Lord Krishna killed Sishupal after his hundredth sin, similarly in this movie a hero arises. Manoj Bajpai the actor, who is originally from Bihar, has acted in this role. He is an honest police inspector and as usual he is transferred to Motihari in Bihar. From the moment of his arrival at Motihari he is made to face several illegal demands at every level. Ultimately, he faces the notorious MLA Bacha Jadav, who can do anything in protecting his political ‘CHAIR’.
This inspector bears a peaceful family life. But his honesty snatches his beloved ones one by one. His little daughter become a victim of death in a scuffle (= fight) where the hero charged a gang for passing filthy remarks on his wife. And his wife committed suicide, as her panic stood in the way of the inspector’s daredevil honesty.
Manoj Bajpai has played a very sensitive, strong and positive role. He obtained the Film Fare Award for this film. Raveena Tandon has played a side role and Sulabha Despandye also.
There are lots of contributions in the making of a complete film. The setting of the market, the inspector’s house and also the civil-court of Motihari is purely genuine. The shots are real in their locale.
Actions are somewhere excess, bit exaggerated of which there is no necessity, but the dual of the inspector and the MLA is very expressive. There is no extraordinary sound effect in it, no effort at sensation-monging and the camera-work is fine. The last scene of the movie is inside the Assembly House. Here the uptake shot really creates a sensation. It renders a realistic picture of the senseless noise syndrome that is characteristic of such an Assembly. The inspector’s reckless and final entry designed to kill the MLA is significant. As he ultimately holds the MLA to ransom with the pistol and lectures, it seems that in a bundle of monsters there is one and only one angel standing who sends his messages to all over the world.
There is a nice idea behind this theme and the character of the inspector is symbolic. It leaves a sharp impression on mind of the audience, but the drawback for us is that these awarded films cast little effect on the watchers.
Its costumes are cut to size and reality. The dialogue brings out realistically the standard of living of the inspector. His wife’s sensible small-talk reflects that she is aware of her income. Such an economy that honesty dictates becomes the target of the MLA who purchases honesty of service by money. He, thus, rules the roost (= nest) of his constituency and is an aspirant for the chair of the Chief Minister. This inspector explodes his dream at last. It is entertaining morally as well as aesthetically.
