‘Bhoomi’ understandably has generated enough interest considering it’s Sanjay Dutt’s first release after his own release from jail.
A rape revenge saga that also plays out in the most predictable and overwrought fashion.
The opening shot tells us exactly what to expect. A speeding van on a desolate road with a screaming woman inside. As she struggles to get out, a single shoe slips off.
‘One Month Earlier...’ flashes on screen. Now we meet Bhoomi and her family – Sanjay Dutt as her doting dad and Neeraj (Sidhant Gupta) as her very handsome fiancé. A dance sequence, songs and a lavish sagai later we hiccup to the tragedy.
Sharat Kelkar’s menacing presence takes hold of the narrative.
There is the usual rona dhona, police insensitivity and a melodramatic courtroom drama.
But even post interval, director Omung Kumar continues to sidestep reason or subtlety with the loud background score overwhelming the proceedings.
No doubt one feels bad for Sanjay Dutt. It’s an age-appropriate role in which Dutt puts his heart. But the film straitjackets all actors – they are typecast; Dutt the red-eyed angry father, Aditi as the weepy daughter and Sharad Kelker the 80's era villain. In fact, the film itself is well past its use-by date.
‘Rape revenge’ is sadly turning out to be yet another masala genre for Bollywood, giving us the same stale ideas and lines. 1.5 out of 5 stars.
Not the kind of film we want to see Sanjay Dutt in.
Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui
Camera: Shiv Kumar Maurya
Producer: Vatsala Singh
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