Audience Member
Koyelaanchal, a film by Ashu Trikha, focuses on one of the oldest mafia prevailing in our country i.e. coal mafia. The movie projects the usual plot of the good vs. evil, the challenges faced by officers who try to question the system laid down by the mafia. Whoever tries to even think against the mafia are wiped out very brutally and conveniently. Movie has moments of spine chilling violence by the mafia, Maoists movements as well. Ashu Trikha tries to touch upon 'Ecological Disaster' as well.
Saryu Bhan Singh (Vinod Khanna) is the undisputed Maalik in Rajapur in Koyelaanchal since last 40 years. In spite of the government understanding the irregularities associated with country's one of the most important and useful resource coal's illegal trade, nothing is being done in order to set the things right. Atrocities continue.
The beginning scene itself is very disturbing: Children are playing football, they happen to witness the manager of Saryu Bhan Singh - Babu Lal Yadav, being attacked and killed by Bhushan (a traitor from Saryu's group) along with Maoists. After the attackers go, one child goes and picks up their football (without even bothering about the dead body) which is red lying in the blood, and very coolly goes and washes his football with water. This scene reflects that how common these killings are in Rajapur, even the children are so used to these things.
There is Raniganj, a neighbouring village of Rajapur, where Karua (Vipinno) is shown, Saryu Bhan's one of the most loyalist, strongest and tough henchman. He is a terror for Saryu's 'enemies'. In Saryu's enemies' words, Karua is Saryu's Khunkar Kutta (brutal dog). Karua speaks less throughout the movie, only his 'actions' speak. For Karua, his Lord is Saryu Bhan. There is a scene, where Karua washes the feet of Saryu Bhan and drinks that water, which showed the unquestioned loyalty of Karua towards his Maalik / Godfather.
Karua is given much of screen time, where he with the blessings of Saryu Bhan, murders every single person who rose voice against Saryu Bhan viz. Govardhan Das Vidrohi (an activist and maseeha for Koyelaanchal), Debashish Ghosh (Advocate, Nasru (in jail), Bhushan etc.
Saryu Bhan is projected as a spiritual person who does not miss his single aradhanna and on the other side, his people are murdering his opponents.
A new collector Nisheeth Kumar (Suniel Shetty) takes the charge and that is when the challenges for Saryu Bhan Singh begins. Nisheeth studies the irregularities in the coal-trading and when he tries to highlight those issues, as expected, he and his family become the target of Saryu. There are officers like Kannan Ayyar (Central Bureau Investigation officer) and a few others joining Nisheeth in his efforts to end Saryu Bhan Singh's monopoly in the region. Saryu gives orders to Karua to threaten Nisheeth and family, but things go haywire since Nisheeth's child is left in his vehicle when Karua runs away with Nisheeth's vehicle.
How Nisheeth reacts? How Saryu Bhan responds to the various unexpected events happening around him ? Does the undisputed leader of Koyelaanchal ever get arrested (who was never arrested during the last 40 years of his reign)? How do other officers support Nisheeth in getting his child back from Karua? Does Karua end up hurting the child or the child's presence brings some transformation in Karua ? Why did the script include so many times F**** words, was it required at all?
The dialogue by Nisheet's wife on being asked whether she is afraid of the proceedings at Koyelaanchal - Aurat jab labour room ka khauf and dard sah kar jinda vapas aati hai, tab ye baat samajh let hai ki jindagi me nayi umeed chahiye to thodi takleef uthani to padegi (When a lady survives the fear and pain of the labour room, she understands that if one wants new hopes in life then he or she has to bear a few sufferings as well) is good, but is it practical?
What was the intention of the director Ashu Trikka behind making this movie, was it to highlight one of the oldest mafia of our country i.e. coal mafia, or to focus upon Maoists movements with Deshi Bombs and Katta, or upon the social activists who are trying to bring some reforms or the helplessness of the government or bureaucracy in not being able to fight the mightier illegal traders.
Koyelaanchal tries to incorporate typical Bollywood masala, but fails to create an impact.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/17/23
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