Review: 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey' is a history lesson that fails to strike a chord

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (U/A)
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Sikandar Kher, Vishakha Singh
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Rating: **1/2

A film that seeks to recreate a forgotten chapter in history ought to touch the viewer enough to evoke patriotic feelings in his heart at least while watching the movie.

Ashutosh Gowariker’s Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey manages to bring to the fore only a few mutinous moments (for the viewer) even as he brings to life political journalist Manini Chatterjee’s book Do And Die: The Chittagong Uprising 1930-34.

This could be a classic case of the film failing to do justice to the book, but if you’ve not read the book, you may just be compelled to give Gowariker the benefit of doubt.

Coming from the director of the Oscar-nominated Lagaan (2001), critically acclaimed Swades (2004), and historically rich Jodhaa Akbar (2008), Khelein Hum… has no doubt its moments of glory, most of them after the interval.

Set in the Bengali city of Chottogram (Chittagong, now in Bangladesh), Khelein Hum… traces the revolutionary work of teacher Surjya Sen (Bachchan), his dedicated team of freedom fighters, and a gang of disgruntled teenagers who are trained to wage war against the colonial British rule to free Chottogram.

The boys develop an antagonism towards the 'goras' when they take over their football ground and beat up some of the boys. The young revolutionaries slowly get sucked into the freedom movement, by choice. Kalpana Datta (Padukone) and Pritilata Wadedar (Singh) are the women freedom fighters in Surjyada’s motley group with the common mission: free Chottogram.

The lack of flow in the narrative makes much of the film look like a collage of separate events, though they are all directed towards one goal. A tighter screenplay may well have done the trick, but Gowariker cannot be denied credit for giving his vast cast enough individual exposure.

Bachchan’s intelligent leader Surjyada is strict and plucky. You are reminded of his career-making film Guru when he proved himself to his critics.

Padukone is miscast, but it’s refreshing to see her in a de-glamorised, sari-clad avatar instead of her signature ganjis and shorts.

All the revolutionaries, including the teenagers, do a commendable job, each of them believable and tough. Probably the love angles (though subtle) could have been done away with for a crisper and more awe-inspiring account of a significant moment in the history of the country's struggle for freedom.

Without meaning to undermine the rigorous efforts of the revolutionaries in the first half, the film gains momentum only in the second half. Music director Sohail Sen taps on the opportunity and enhances the experience of the revolt. Don’t be surprised if you leave the theatre whistling the title track.

Gowariker’s attempt, however, is much too honest and humble to strike a chord with today’s generation. Khelein Hum… could well serve as a visual treat for schoolchildren learning about Indian history.

You may have cheered Bhuvan facing the last ball in that elaborate climax of Lagaan. But with Khelein Hum…, you struggle to connect, let alone egg the boys on to do it for India.