Ya Rab

There is so much that has been spoken about Islam being a horrid religion over the years.  There are so many instances of injustice meted out of Muslims across the world that it was only a matter of time before someone stood up and made a movie that would try to communicate the other side.  That is a side that speaks about the exact interpretation of the writings in the Koran.

The fundamental premise of Ya Rab is what prompts me to suggest that people should watch this movie.  It finishes with a song / line that translates as, “It cannot be called a religion or faith if it promotes any harm to a fellow human being”.  For what its worth (And I have never read the Koran) I find it exceptionally hard to believe that one of the largest religions in the world could promote terrorism in the wildest of circumstances.

ACP Ranvijay Singh (Ajaz Khan) is the central character of the film.  He is part of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). His girlfriend leaves him when Ranvijay captures a terrorist by the name of Javed. Javed happens to be girlfriend’s brother.  Of course, our hero is blissfully unaware of this till the capture.  The sad dialogue used here, “Mere bhai ki galti ki saza mujhe bhugatni padegi – hamare rishtey ko tod ke” (I have to pay for my brother’s sins by breaking up with you and suffering from the rest of my life).

After an arbit code is intercepted by the ATS that involves some more random dialogues and a few Arabic characters, the story moves to Lucknow.  How ACP Ranvijay cracks the code to arrive at Lucknow being the target for the next blast is even more hilarious.  It has something to do with the sun rising in Avadh (aaaargh!!!!).

Ya Rab uses characters such as Maulana Jilani (Akhilendra Mishra) who portrays the super orthodox cleric.  He is nothing but an Anti-Social element who uses the public’s lack of knowledge of the scriptures and gets them to channel their anger into truly negative action – riots and terrorism.  There is also the use of verses from the Koran through a child that represents how simple it actually is, to understand the verses but how it is actually interpreted.

A topic like this is again very intense and needs powerful, hard hitting communication that is sharp and to the point.  Hasnain Hyderabadi should have focused on getting the narration absolutely bang on target instead of randomly throwing terms like IP address where not relevant or high drama such as the delivery of a baby in an ambulance that is being chased by an insane mob.

I have always wondered what the right way of getting a message across to people should be? Should a director focus on getting everything right or should s/he speak in a language that is understandable – so what if it means that the end product is really tacky and doesn’t adhere to the expectations from great cinema?

I hope I am wrong and people actually get the message in which case – MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.  4 on 10 because the intent is good and there was effort. In the world of good cinema, it is a disaster.  I fear, however, that the movie will flop – for all the right reasons instead of the wrong ones.  Watch if you want to, on TV.  Not worth visiting the halls.

Watch the trailer on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cbWo8D03_k