What could've been a great movie is merely resorted to just being good, thanks to the performance put in by JD Chakravarthy(Satya). Couldn't RGV have found someone better? The character of 'Satya' is supposed to be played with great intensity and a good deal of emotional depth. But what we get here is a man who looks and acts like an amateur from scene one. Chakravarthy has one expression on his face the entire movie. Looks the same when he's angry. Looks the same when he's happy and same applies to practically every other human emotion. His dialog delivery was so kid-like and so badly lacking in genuine intensity that a bunch of scenes involving him were ruined for me.....despite the brilliant cast around him. It was also hard to believe that this guy was a cold-blooded member of a Mafia gang.
Some other cons: A slow first 1/2 hour. Story-telling gets a little uneven at times. Songs aren't really necessary.
Negatives aside, Satya does feature EXCELLENT performance from practically everybody else. Bajpai was perfect as Bhiku Mahtre and lived up to all the expectations i had from him b4 watching Satya. He actually starts off being quite over-the-top(Jail scene, tapori Dance sequences), but once he settles in the role...i knew I was in for a treat. Only Manoj can play a character with such chilling intensity and then be just as effective while performing the lighter scenes involving 'Bhiku'. He along with Aamir Khan are the best actors in India post-1998.
Urmila was mesmerizing as the struggling singer living with her old and suffering parents. Not only does she look gorgeous(nobody has looked better in a Sari until Gayatri Joshi starred in 'Swades') but gives a very realistic and touching performance. Her pairing with Chakravarthy was a mismatch though, from physical chemistry to talent-level. Of course, none due to any shortcomings in her.
Among the supporting cast special mention goes to Saurabh Shukla(Kallu Mama) as the member who takes care of the financial side of the gang's operations. An extremely likable and realistic portrayal. Same goes for Goving Namdeo, the corrupt politician(or aspiring to be one). Shefali Shetty as Bhiku's wife was another extremely likable character. Gotta love her speaking style ;). Paresh Rawal is adequate as the 'preachy officer' and so is everybody else.
Background music is first-rate, as it always is in an RGV flick. I also prefer Satya to RGV's Company due to its emotional appeal. Plenty of heart-wrenching scenes involving Bajpai and especially Urmila. Both give such a human touch to their performances. If only the main character was a little better, then we're talking masterpiece here. Nonetheless, Satya is still good stuff!
Some other cons: A slow first 1/2 hour. Story-telling gets a little uneven at times. Songs aren't really necessary.
Negatives aside, Satya does feature EXCELLENT performance from practically everybody else. Bajpai was perfect as Bhiku Mahtre and lived up to all the expectations i had from him b4 watching Satya. He actually starts off being quite over-the-top(Jail scene, tapori Dance sequences), but once he settles in the role...i knew I was in for a treat. Only Manoj can play a character with such chilling intensity and then be just as effective while performing the lighter scenes involving 'Bhiku'. He along with Aamir Khan are the best actors in India post-1998.
Urmila was mesmerizing as the struggling singer living with her old and suffering parents. Not only does she look gorgeous(nobody has looked better in a Sari until Gayatri Joshi starred in 'Swades') but gives a very realistic and touching performance. Her pairing with Chakravarthy was a mismatch though, from physical chemistry to talent-level. Of course, none due to any shortcomings in her.
Among the supporting cast special mention goes to Saurabh Shukla(Kallu Mama) as the member who takes care of the financial side of the gang's operations. An extremely likable and realistic portrayal. Same goes for Goving Namdeo, the corrupt politician(or aspiring to be one). Shefali Shetty as Bhiku's wife was another extremely likable character. Gotta love her speaking style ;). Paresh Rawal is adequate as the 'preachy officer' and so is everybody else.
Background music is first-rate, as it always is in an RGV flick. I also prefer Satya to RGV's Company due to its emotional appeal. Plenty of heart-wrenching scenes involving Bajpai and especially Urmila. Both give such a human touch to their performances. If only the main character was a little better, then we're talking masterpiece here. Nonetheless, Satya is still good stuff!