The word Tathastu sounds interesting, it is a Sanskrit word which signifies the affirmative response of deities to their disciple’s wishes. The tag line of the film reads as ‘So Be it’. The film has an extremely relevant social message in society. The film no doubt is inspired from a Hollywood flick, but nonetheless has been adapted to suit the taste of Indian audiences. The story and concept is good, but it is definitely the director’s execution and approach to the subject that ultimately makes most of the difference.
Tathastu is one man’s fight against a system that is infested with corruption and greed. This man is thrown into a tragic circumstance wherein he has no choice but to put up a fight against the unjust system. Tathastu is the story of Ravi Rajput (Sanjay Dutt) and it also stars Amisha Patel, Jaya Pradha and Manoj Pahwa. The film is directed by Anubhav Sinha
Ravi is a simple automobile engineer who works hard in a factory and his life revolves around his wife Sarita (Amisha) and his 8 year old son, Gaurav. One day while playing cricket, his son collapses, he is immediately rushed to the hospital. On examining and testing the little boy, doctors realize that he suffers from a hole in his heart. Doctors suggest a heart transplant as necessary to save young Gaurav. The transplant will cost around 15 lakhs. Ravi who earns a modest income, goes for help to every possible person, his employers, loan sharks, and several other people. But to no avail, he is refused such a huge amount as he has no tangible security.
Ravi is a desperate father who tries to find a legal way to save his son, but when he runs out of options, he is forced by a cruel system into adopting an illegal measure. With the sole thought of saving his son’s life and without thinking of the consequences, he takes the emergency room patients as hostages. There are about thirty people in the emergency room, some of whom themselves require immediate medical attention and Ravi single handedly with just a single revolver holds them hostages. He has one and only one condition for releasing them, he wants the surgery to be performed on his son immediately and free of cost. The police and hospital authorities try to talk him out of it, but Ravi is determined to save his son. The story is being covered by the media and the entire issue becomes a national debate. A lot of people lend their support to this desperate father, his wife, one of the doctors Jaya Pradha and even a cop. Juxtaposed into this social drama is the exposure of a dirty game, called politics. Politics is used to rope in another angle into this film.
The story has a very empathetic quality, but unfortunately the script and execution of the film has not managed to capture the sensitivity of audiences. The film intends to convey a noble message that our system needs to be re-evaluated and changed so that the common man can benefit from it. The aspect where Sanjay Dutt single handedly takes on the emergency room patients as hostages has an unrealistic approach to it. The writing of the screenplay lacks the quality of finesse and believability. The script is wrought with over the top melodrama.
However what manages to make a mark is Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of the character Ravi. He grapples with the inner dilemma of being a father stuck in a no win situation and being a part of an unjust system with exception. The political aspect in the narrative seems forced and unnecessary. The execution at times drags on unrealistically. There is no room for brilliant cinematography or music in the film as a major part of the film is set in the emergency room and there is a lone 'qawalli' which is just average. Unfortunately, director Anubhav has taken scene for scene from a Hollywood flick, not even bothered to change a single incident. There is no problem in adapting a film, but every director should bring in his own flavour to the film. To have the exact same scenes merely portrays lack of creativity on the director’s part.
The film could have delved deeper into the aspect of an unfair system, but instead merely touches the surface of the topic, leaving the audiences feeling cheated. Sanjay Dutt is extremely convincing in his role and breathes life into the otherwise dull and lifeless script. Amisha Patel’s role of an average housewife is hardly captivating and does not really make a mark. The patients are not given enough scope in their roles and yesteryear actress Jaya Pradha does not have a meaningful role.
The film has an honest and sincere message and concept, but the script and the execution have not managed to enhance the concept further. No matter how sincere a concept, it is the screenplay which has to carry forth the film. Anubhav Sinha does not manage to capture the audience’s attention with this film. At the box-office the subtlety with which the film has been promoted and made, will hardly create a dent.
|
| Reviewed By: Rachel Fernandes |
 |
 |
Related Pictures |
|
|
|
