Naam Movie Review: A Gut-Wrenching Saga of Love & Sacrifice

The ultimate macho man of Hindi films, Sanjay Dutt, brings in his 48th birthday this year on July 29th. His has been a troubled career with many ups and downs, caused partly by his turbulent temperament in his early years of adulthood. Though born to illustrious parents, Nargis and Sunil Dutt, Sanjay's life has been anything but a bed of roses. He has had a strange tryst with destiny, which still continues to play her jokes on him.

Sanjay made his acting debut with Rocky in 1981, a film that was produced and directed by his father. The film did well, but it didn't really do too much for the actor. But that did not deter Sanjay and he continued to act. His acting career was first disrupted by his drug problem and his subsequent breakup with girlfreind of many years Tina Munim. Despite the turmoil in his personal life, the actor went on to give hits like Vidhaata (1982), Naam (1986), Hathiyar (1989), Sadak and Saajan (1991). The Mumbai bomb blasts took place in 1993. It coincided with the release of Sanjay's film Khalnayak. The film did wonders for his career. But unfortunately the actor could not immediately reap the benefits as he was arrested under the dreaded TADA. He was out on bail after spending some 11 months in jail. The rest, as they say, is history, as the case still continues in court. The actor is yet to be handed out his sentence by the judge in the case. It is expected to come later this week, close on the heels of his birthday. But such has been the man's luck.

After his release on bail, Sanjay continued to build on his tough guy image and made a name for himself in action dramas as well as comedy. The gangly, uneasy, awkward young man of Vidhaata has today transformed into a supremely confident and assured actor. He has matured as an actor and as a human being. The films that have followed have reflected this change in him. His performances in Vaastav (1999), Mission Kashmir (2000), Munnabhai MBBS. (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) have earned him rave reviews. Dutt has gone into partnership with his friend Sanjay Gupta, and the duo's production company, White Feather Films has already produced films like Kaante (2002), Musafir (2004) and Zinda (2005), all of which star Sanjay in the lead. Their latest collaborative effort Shootout at Lokhandwala, released a month ago.

Sanjay's peculiar tryst with destiny continued to dog his heels in his private life as well. Once out of jail, Sanjay married actress Richa Sharma. The actress died soon afterwards of cancer. Subsequently, he married again. Rhea Pillai and he separated soon afterwards but continue to remain friends today. The actor has a grown up daughter now from his first marriage. His support system continues to be his family even after his father's death last year. His brother-in-law Kumar Gaurav, his sisters and friends have stood by him through thick and thin.

Naam, made in 1986, was produced by Rajendra Kumar and Kumar Gaurav to primarily resuscitate the latter's career. And they chose the best director to do that - Mahesh Bhatt. While Naam did very well for Sanjay, it failed to create similar magic for Kumar Gaurav, who to date remains a one-film wonder.

The film works on many levels. Ostensibly it is the story of Ravi Kapoor (played by Kumar Gaurav). But a closer examination reveals that it is not so. It is as much the story of Janki Kapoor (Nutan) and Vicky Kapoor (Sanjay Dutt). The film deals with the story of Janki and her two sons Vicky and Ravi. It tells the story of a deprived childhood which sees one brother turning out to be the responsible one in the family, while the other becomes wayward. Kumar Gaurav as the upright, dependable elder brother Ravi, has the more difficult role, while Sanjay's role of the wayward son who finally dies at the end, was sort of tailor-made for him. Without taking any credit away from the actor, one has to admit that his tumultuous background and wayward ways in the early years of his career, made for easy fodder, one would imagine, for the actor if he needed any inspiration for the role. And delve inside he must have, for Sanjay Dutt turns in one of the most sensitive performances of his career. This is a film in which he has few dialogues but still manages to speak volumes with his eyes and body language. Yes, the performance lacks polish but that's what gives it an edge.

The story of Naam has many loopholes but its merits are way too many in number, due credit for which must go to script, screenplay and dialogue writer Salim Khan. Mahesh Bhatt and Salim Khan create this world where love is sacrificed at the altar of duty and yet does not comes across as suffocating or self righteous. Janki, brings up her husband's illegitimate son, Ravi and gives him her 'naam.' Sacrificed at the altar of love is her own son Vicky, who grows up knowing that his mother loves his elder brother more. But he does not grow to hate his brother but grows to love him more instead. Ravi, grows up as the dependable, obedient son, supporting and looking out for his younger brother, who is constantly getting into trouble. They play out the same scene everytime. A penitent Vicky apologises and promises never to repeat the mistake again. And Ravi bails him out of trouble. Till that one last time. This happens when Vicky falls into the hands of the druglord Rana (Paresh Rawal) in Dubai, Ravi is unable to rescue him, despite all his efforts to do so. Vicky dies but Ravi pays back his debt of gratitude to Janki and gives Vicky's orphaned son his 'naam.' Life comes full circle.

The onscreen chemistry between Kumar Gaurav and Sanjay Dutrt works wonders for this film. Cast as brothers, the two actors share a very comfortable rapport on screen. The trust between them is evident and adds that extra dimension to their scenes together. Despite the more difficult role, Kumar Gaurav turns in a fairly decent performance as the conscentious and loving elder brother and son. He plays out his helplessness marvelously when the Rita, Vicky's girlfriend (Amrita Singh) turns to him for help. And finally, when Vicky dies, Rita breaks down and again accuses Ravi of not doing enough to save Vicky. The actor brings out all these shades of emotions very well.

Nutan as Janki, the mother, again displays what natural acting is all about. She brings out the conflict in the character wonderfully is the manner in which she manages to say one thing and yet mean another with her eyes and body language. The scene between her and Sanjay Dutt, when Vicky's is leaving home for Dubai is a masterpiece. Amrita Singh, reveals glimpses of an explosive actress in her role as Rita, Vicky's girlfriend. There is a raw quality to her as well as Poonam Dhillon, who plays the love interest of Ravi.

The film's music too was such that it brought out the emotional core of the film. The most noteworthy in this regard are the two numbers 'Tu kal chala jayega' and 'Chithi ayee hai' Naam is another example of how to tell a story in the most compelling manner possible. It is a gut-wrenching saga of love, duty and sacrifice. Giving it that edge is director Mahesh Bhatt. A master manipulator of feelings, he has the knack of making his audience feel with an intensity which is quite uncomfortable at times. (think Saaransh, Arth or Janam for that matter). He does that with Naam as well. But in doing so, he gives us a moving tale of love.