Rating: 2.8/5
Dasvi, starring Abhishek Bachchan, Yami Gautam Dhar, and Nimrat Kaur, makes an earnest attempt to entertain the audience. The film drives a social message with a purpose, but it lacks focus in its execution.
With this social comedy, director Tushar Jalota and writers Ritesh Shah and Suresh Nair dare to sail on two ships together. The film drifts with a political slant, struggles with half-baked storytelling in keeping the purpose of education as the “priority”.
Watch trailer:
Plot
An uneducated yet celebrated politician, Gangaram Chaudhary (Abhishek Bachchan), is imprisoned by Jyoti Deswal (Yami Gautam Dhar) for an education scam and other criminal records, and decides to complete his Dasvi (tenth), while his wife and acting Chief Minister, Bimla Devi (Nimrat Kaur), has plans of her own.
Story/Screenplay/Direction
“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. This line from the film gets the hook of the film as Gangaram’s character hinges upon these catchy dialogues (phrases and idioms). The story begins with an interesting narrative, but slowly loses its focus in the second half. However, the makers attempt to educate the audience with the script, the unappealing screenplay and ill-conceived direction result into a hotchpotch.
The scene unfolds with Gangaram, a rustic and humorous Jatt character, challenging US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to a fitness social media challenge. Soon after, he ends up in jail. His story takes a turn when he challenges to finish his high school and win elections against his wife, character of Gangaram takes a drastic significant change.
Bimla Devi, who now knows what it’s like to be a politician, does everything she can to keep her power and position. What matters to her most is not to become a homemaker after serving as a CM, and therefore, her selfish desire to remain in power subdues her love for her husband (the CM’s husband), as just like Jyoti adage: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
Jyoti, who is strict and disciplined, has a balanced side of character – from breaking the chair to making one – one that reflects no nuisance and the other side that is caring and society-driven. The point film where it disconnects with the audience is the time when the narrative is taken up, referring to the stories of freedom fighters and seeing them alive (one like Rang de Basanti) and discussing the state of dyslexia (from Taare Zameen Par).
If we merely look from an entertaining standpoint, the film thrives at hooking the audiences with its actors’ energetic performances and their quirky and humorous dialogues. The Haryanvi accent connects well throughout. Following the critical side of it, the film had more to offer in its intent to execute better writing and crafting. The only two things that pass with distinction are performances of the actors and inspiring dialogues.
Performances
Abhishek Bachchan as Gangaram was impressive. His performance isn’t as pleasing as the ones in Ludo and Manmarziyaan, but on the scale of character appeal, he totally deserves a three-and-a-half out of five. Often compared with the standards of his father, he has built his own space in the industry as a resilient, versatile actor, embarking challenging roles.
Yami Gautam is an evolving actor who is improving with her choices of roles. Her performance as Jyoti was convincing and nothing less, and she very well suits in intelligent roles. Her overall personality was warm throughout, no matter how restricted she was in her role as a strict cop or a salient guru in Gangaram’s life.
Nimrat Kaur outshines everyone with her performance in the film. Her switch from Bimla Devi, a sincere homemaker, to Bimla Devi, a deceptive learned politician, was amazing. The sincerity with which she performs every role is worth appreciating.
Other supporting casts in the film were sober and evenly good with their limited roles.
Overall
The entire film was fast-paced as the plot of the film required a bit more time to show transitions. It highlighted Gangaram’s struggle to combat both the battles – passing high school and winning elections – and his journey that started from mocking education to becoming Minister of Education. The plot managed to highlight the purpose of the right to education and the perks of being educated.
The cinematography in the film was decently okay, whereas the art direction and production design were aesthetically good. The film might not have lived up to the standards of the enticing trailer, but it surely makes a good attempt to engage the audience with a fresh and interesting concept. Released on April 7, Dasvi is now streaming on Netflix and Jio Cinema.
Published by: Shivani Bhalke
Edited by: Subbuthai Padma.
