REVIEW: Mithun's Baabarr

This week's release Baabarr starring Mithun Chakraborty, Om Puri, Urvashi Sharma, Sushant Singh and Sohum clearly draws its inspiration from the cult classic Satya. In fact there is even a scene where the lead character's wife is shown to be watching and crying over the death of Ram Gopal Varma's hero on screen.

Unlike in the case of Satya for whom even you might have shed a tear, the hero of this film - Baabarr evokes little or no sympathy.

Baabarr tells the story of its eponymous hero's rise in the world of crime and the eventual downfall. Bringing about this is an SP Dwivedi (played by Mithun Chakraborty) who will go to any extent except break the law to get the dreaded gangster down to his knees.

Dwivedi's task is an almost impossible one since Baabarr is close to some very powerful politicians and also has on his side a corrupt cop called Chaturwedi (Om Puri) who is much more than what meets the eye.

Baabarr goes about killing people who refuse to pay him up and doesn't think twice before taking on powerful politicians. Needless to say his hot-headedness lands him into some amount of trouble.

When Baabarr is not busy being cold-blooded, he is bedding a mistress (played by Urvashi Sharma) and fathering a child from his wife.

Mithun's character is supposed to be an encounter specialist who wears shirts that get tackier with each progressing frame.

Om Puri whose character is perhaps the most intriguing in the film manages to hold his own. But there is little he or Mithun can do to salvage this poorly directed flick.

Sushant Singh who plays Baabarr's nemesis also comes as a breath of fresh air – in fact the film has some very talented actors in its supporting cast – who sadly have very little footage in the movie.

Sohum plays the lead character Baabarr and is a classic example of an actor who could do with some serious acting lessons, like now. The director of this film seems to have recognised this and has managed to have his back face the camera each time he's shot an emotional scene.

While the action is raw and to some extent even enjoyable, what annoys most about Baabarr is the fact that it actually glorifies crime and its protagonist's actions. There's even a song being sung in his praise where our man goes about on a killing spree!

Satya might be accused of glorifying crime too. But unlike Satya, Baabarr is no gangster-with-a-heart-of-gold. Baabarr is unapologetic and cold. He knows no compassion and his only tender moments are when he is in bed with his mistress who loves him no end. Which is a mystery because there is absolutely no reason shown to us why anyone would want to love this beast.

The plot, I must confess, does have its strong points – especially towards the end. However the poor direction and the loud background music tends to ruin it all for you.

Verdict: Baabarr is such a poor attempt at filmmaking you don't want to waste your money on it.

Rating: 1/5