When an actor of the caliber of Amitabh Bachchan appears in a lead role for a movie revolving completely around him, a film lover is never more happier. Especially so, when at least 3 movies with him as the lead protagonist [Black, Waqt, Sarkar] have struck gold at the box office in quick succession. Audience, that has been fed on Big B movies for around 3 decades now, certainly do not mind seeing him week after week now. And when a movie like 'Viruddh' arrives that gives him ample scope to be seen in each and every frame of the movie, the expectations are anyways sky high.
Are these gargantuan expectations met? Does the movie turn out to be as good as everyone believed it would? And the most important question - does Amitabh Bachchan himself get a chance to do something different from what he has done over the decades?
Answer to all these questions is "Yes to a good extent". No doubt 'Viruddh' could easily have been a classic [which it is not], but inspite of the blemishes [mainly in the pre-climax and climax], the movie never fails to grab your attention. If only writing during some of the post-interval portions could have been power-packed, 'Viruddh' may have been a landmark film for everyone involved.
Mahesh Manjrekar has always delivered whenever it comes to directing a movie depicting reality. 'Vaastav' and 'Astitva' are great examples of such attempts. With 'Viruddh', he is back in form once again after delivering so called "commercial" duds like 'Rakth' and 'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav'.
Vidhyadhar Patwardhan [Amitabh Bahchan] and Sumi Patwardhan [Sharmila Tagore] are a happy and content retired couple who live in their 60s-constructed bungalow. While Vidhyadhar spent his life as an airport staffer, Sumi brings home the traits of a school principal, the position she held for 15 years.
They love and care for each other and their simple day to day antics are straight out of everyday. Number of such sequences are very well embedded in the script that you never once realize watching a movie that was earlier thought to be a heavy-on-heart flick.
First one hour is breezy enough that makes 'Viruddh' a light hearted entertainer journey. Ace in hand during the screenplay is narration by the couple's only Amar [John Abraham], who keeps appearing in fleeting shots till he is finally introduced as a London graduated son. And along comes his British girlfriend Jenny [Anusha].
Life couldn't have been better but little did one know that this would be only short-lived. On the eve of his birthday, Amar is accidentally killed in a scuffle with the Home Minister's wayward son Harshwardhan [Amitabh Dayal, last seen in 'Kagaar' in a lead role] outside a night club.
Their world is shattered and the only redemption now is to see Harsh behind the bars. But the corrupt 'system' fails to hear their voice and instead label Amar and Jenny as drug peddlers. Jenny is put behind bars and now it is upto Vidhyadhar to secure her release and prove his son and daughter-in-law's innocence.
How does Vidhyadhar manage to accomplish task? Does he continue to show faith in the law and wait for justice? Does his old age allow him to battle it out under such adverse circumstances? Does his friendly neighborhood garage owner Ali [Sanjay Dutt] help him accomplish his mission? Or is he forced to take law in his own hands?
Is Amar finally proved innocent?
An interesting drama told well, 'Viruddh' works, especially during the first half. There are number of heart warming moments that alternatively bring smile and tears. Sharmila Tagore, as a dominating yet lovely wife walks away with all the honors and for a change, the character of Bachchan just falls silent whenever willed by her. She
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