The Attacks of 26/11

Long time after Sarkar, RGV has made, not great but, a movie which will hold you tightly to your seat with a sequence of shocking, painful, disturbing but true events.

Based on the facts disclosed by Rakesh Maria (then Joint Commissioner of Police, Mumbai Police. Now Chief of Anti Terrorist Squad, Maharashtra) to Investigation Committee regarding the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai, story is narrated by Nana Patekar who played the role of Rakesh Maria. Nana as usual has given an outstanding performance but other characters in movie lacked badly the acting skills. Sajeev Jaiswal, as Ajmal Kasab, was undoubtedly a good choice to play the role but overacted in a sequence where he was interrogated by Nana. The scene where Nana as police officer takes Ajmal to mortuary and shows the dead bodies of others terrorists is the most outstanding scene of the movie with marvellous dialogue delivery by Nana. RGV also tried smartly to infuse some moral dialogues to avoid hurting any religious sentiments and conveyed a message that terrorism is just a product of some ruthless insane minds and not of any community or religion.

The script lacked some deep emotions. It was all about killing and butchering of people all over the city. Audience would have liked to know something more about the terrorists and reason behind making them into such killing machines.

It's highly recommended to watch this movie only if you are interested to know the truth and mentally prepared to see enormous bloodshed, others should know that this is not one that can be enjoyed with popcorn.

Score 7 /10 Director Mr. Ram Gopal Verma has done good work. He has very balanced approach about this extra sensitive Terror Attack on Mumbai on 26/11. He has enhanced the emotional quotient of this film by adding some very fine nuisances in taking and presentation. Hats off to Mr. Director, for making this film without inserting any commercial aspect. His intention was just to pay homage to the person and Police men killed in this unfortunate attack simultaneously he condemned the terror attack without naming or underlining any religion. Director also tried to avoid unnecessary violence, without showing a crying baby being shot he shown the gun shot sound and the baby's crying sound went mum. Writer Mr. Rommel Rodrigues's work is very good. He conceived the film and scenes without being influenced by any prejudice. Scenes are good except few ones who sounded exaggerated for example, receptionist at Taj ,tried to save the kid, when all the attackers are roaming around her. It was absolute filmy. He highlighted the emotions by adding few scenes, for example Terrorist asks for water and killed the person after drinking it, old person killing in Cama Hospital. Dialogues are very good. Performance wise Nana Patekar is brilliant. Actor Sanjeev Jaiswal who portrayed the character of Ajmal Kasab is also brilliant. Rest are fine. Action Director Mr. Javed Aejaz 'work is impressive. Art work by Udai Prakash Singh is also good. DOP (Harshraj shroff and M. Ravichandran Thevar) work is fine too. Background score by Amar Mohile supports well the film.

This is not an easy film to watch but it is a highly recommended one.

A group of young men get hold of a boat and disembark in Mumbai with one and only intention: to kill as many as possible. In case one wonders as to why, the quickest response would be that they were convinced that such a deed would please God and a pleasurable paradise would await them.

Once ashore they follow their mission to the last letter. Death is spread in Mumbai like virus. In a taxi, cafe, hotel, train station and hospital.

The blindness of religious indoctrination does not allow them for a single moment to think and comprehend their actions; after all they are pleasing God, or so they were convinced.

The scenes are both graphic and distressing to watch. For much of this film, I wish I had been there to warn the unsuspecting family man, the child, the female clerk all of whom died simply because they were on their path.

The theme of the film must not be misunderstood as being anti-Islam but anti-fanaticism. Religion in itself is not the problem, extremism is.

Watch it, shed tears and pray for healing and compassion.

Years passed since the terrible attacks of 26/11 that horrified Mumbai and killed hundreds of innocent people....many documentaries made, explanations given but finally Ram Gopal Verma brings 'The attacks of 26/11' and he undoubtedly brings back in our minds all the tragic events of the fateful day...

'The attacks of 26/11' focuses the beginning of the attack and the terrorists involved in it as portrayed by one man - The Joint Police Commissioner played by Nana Patekar.The film begins with invasion of terrorists through the sea and since then every attack on various places are shown, which easily unnerve any Indian watching the film. The firing is brutal,bloodshed even more terrifying as real life incident, forcing you to hate terrorism even more.The rescue mission of Taj is not shown which i believe is due to the script being more Kasab oriented.

The script is perfectly written, the background score takes this movie to another level, the direction is absolutely perfect(no silly camera cuts) and the climax makes this movie a masterpiece.

As far as acting is concerned, its Nana Patekar on one side and others on other.Nana Patekar proves why he is the best.Debutant Sanjeev Jaiswal impresses as Kasab.

This movie is not only a tribute to all those innocent victims on that fateful night, but also reveals the flawful and irresponsible security system of our country, leaving its people helpless against terrorism.

Any story based on real-life events can only connect if it has a soul thereby making an instant connect with the audience. In the case of "The Attacks of 26/11" only after Kasab is captured the human side begins to surface. Until this point in time, the entire proceedings seem to be a documentary devoid of any emotion what so ever. If the writer/ director would have addressed this right from the first frame "The Attacks of 26/11" would have been a different experience altogether.

Sanjeev Jaiswal as Kasab is first class. Delivers a master-piece performance. Atul Kulkarni was wasted in a minuscule role and perhaps warranted better footage. Nana Patekar comes alive only after the capture of Kasab and is a treat to watch him portray the Joint Police Comissioner. Pre-dominantly "The Attacks of 26/11" appears to Rakesh Maria's version of what happened back then.

Yes, its a great attempt but could have been definitely better.