June 3, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): Till about a year back, if someone would have stated that a Prakash Jha film would possibly revive an ailing Bollywood, he would have been scoffed at. However, given the current situation when the film promises a solid content coupled with a very strong cast (comprising of both stars as well as talent), ‘Rajneeti‘ is pretty much being looked as a saviour here. ‘Rajneeti‘ has become really hot over last two months and with every passing day, there has been huge curiosity build up around this political drama.
It is difficult to pin point on anything which doesn’t work for this film. Whether it’s the plot, cast, music, buzz, hype, timing, promotion – just about everything seems to have fitted in just well here. The film is all set to enjoy the biggest ever release for Prakash Jha and even if the film opens to a response of more than 60%, it should find the investors smiling. Reason being that to begin with ‘Rajneeti‘ doesn’t quite have an eye for the universal audience. Though Jha’s last films like ‘Apaharan‘ and ‘Gangaajal‘ were well acclaimed, they were limited successes and that too because of the low price tag attached to them. Also, they worked in certain pockets where there is appetite for such cinema.
However, ‘Rajneeti‘ is seeing a huge release across the nation with presence of Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif adding on to the youth quotient. The film is all set to enjoy at least a first week total in excess of 25 crores and that should set the ball rolling because it seems highly improbable that Jha would have made a substandard product. With no other release this week, zero competition in week to follow and ‘Raavan‘ not quite looking like the monster in reel life, ‘Rajneeti‘ should be enjoying a clean run for an entire month.
— Rudhir Burman/ Sampurn Wire
