Raees is Shah Rukh Khan time traveling to the eighties in aviator
style frames (his character has a vision problem), shirts with
shoulder epaulets and several colorful
rotary phones at his disposal. Director Rahul Dholakia’s DeLorean-esque
powers place Shah Rukh in a coastal town in Gujarat, which is looking
for a savior, although the town does not know
that yet.
Raees Aslam, the main character played by Shah Rukh
is a Muslim bootlegger/ multi-talented entrepreneur(all Gujaratis are
entrepreneurs of some sort, but not all entrepreneurs are Gujaratis) who
insists that he would not mix religion with
business and holds true to his word for most of the story. The film is
all about Raees-the man aka Shah Rukh Khan. So if you are not into
Shah Rukh, beat it. Or better still, hang around, Shah Rukh does give
many opportunities in this film for you to
trash him with his signature mannerisms peek-booing into his
performance not very infrequently.
Raees is pure Bollywood masala in a realistic setting. The streets of Bhuj where the movie is shot adds an indisputable made-in-Gujarat seal. Music and songs which can make or break a Bollywood blockbuster is just the right mix tape, with different music directors or bands composing each song, that DJ ordered, for making Raees a success. All in all I'd consider Raees a well-aged Bollywood moonshine.
Before we jump into the movie, some trivia action
first. Skip on to the next paragraph, if you are not into such 'trivial'
stuff. Gujarat, the home state of the current Prime Minister of India
Narendra Modi is a realm of contradictions.
It has the longest coastline (990 miles) of any Indian state but not
many people are into seafood. They prefer thin flat-breads of varying
thinness ending with 'la' or 'li' to dead fish any day. It is a state
known for its tough Hindu identity politics but
also has a sizeable Muslim population; both communities are known for
their entrepreneurial spirit. It is also a ‘dry’ state, the sale and
consumption of alcohol is banned 24/365, but it remains one of the
biggest markets for illicit liquor in India, with
special features including home delivery.
Raees Aslam, the main character played by Shah Rukh
is a Muslim bootlegger/ multi-talented entrepreneur(all Gujaratis are
entrepreneurs of some sort, but not all entrepreneurs are Gujaratis) who
insists that he would not mix religion with
business and holds true to his word for most of the story. The film is
all about Raees-the man aka Shah Rukh Khan. So if you are not into
Shah Rukh, beat it. Or better still, hang around, Shah Rukh does give
many opportunities in this film for you to
trash him with his signature mannerisms peek-booing into his
performance not very infrequently.
Then there is the inimitable Nawazuddin
Siddiqui as the honest cop Majmudar who has a weakness for all things in
writing. The beautiful Pakistani actress Mahira Khan stars as Shah
Rukh's lady love. Maybe it's make up, maybe it's
Mahira (I suspect it is make-up on both sides), while Shah Rukh manages
to look younger, Mahira succeeds in looking older thereby bridging
their couple of decades worth of age gap in real life rather
skillfully.
The ubiquitous Indian drink - chai (tea), in shot-glass
sized cups makes numerous appearances not only as a drink, but as
strategic props and pointers to help the chai-drinking bootleggers
and co. keep one step ahead in the game of whoever
is chasing them at the moment - be it the cops or other really wicked
bootleggers. When liquor flows like water, it is chai you crave for
- is the moral of the story.
Raees is pure Bollywood masala in a realistic setting. The streets of Bhuj where the movie is shot adds an indisputable made-in-Gujarat seal. Music and songs which can make or break a Bollywood blockbuster is just the right mix tape, with different music directors or bands composing each song, that DJ ordered, for making Raees a success. All in all I'd consider Raees a well-aged Bollywood moonshine.
