Vaastav: The Reality

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Vaastav: The Reality.

DVD cover
Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar
Produced by Deepak
Written by Mahesh Manjrekar
Imtiaz Hussain
Starring Sanjay Dutt
Namrata Shirodkar
Reema Lagoo
Shivaji Satam
Music by Rahul Ranade
Jatin-Lalit
Sandeep Chowta
Release date(s) October 7, 1999
Running time 146 min.
Language Hindi / Marathi
Followed by Hathyar
IMDb profile

Vaastav (Devanagari: वास्तव English: The Reality) is a Bollywood Crime Drama film, released in India on October 7, 1999. Translated, the title is "The Reality" (as described by the movie's tagline), referring to the harsh realities of the life in the underworld.

The film was written and directed by Mahesh Manjrekar and stars Sanjay Dutt and Namrata Shirodkar, and features Reema Lagoo and Shivaji Satam in a supporting role. The film was very well received by both critics and audiences and is often regarded by many as one of Sanjay Dutt's best performances.The picture was extremely successful both in India and overseas. It was nominated for and won many awards. Over the years it has become a cult film.

Contents

[edit] Plot

As the film opens, Raghunath Namdev Shivalkar (Sanjay Dutt) and his best friend Dedh Footiya (Sanjay Narvekar) struggle to find work in Mumbai. They decide to run a pav bhaji stall.But fate steps in when Raghu accidentally kills a customer who turns out to be the brother of a notorious gangster, Fracture Bandya and end up in the Mumbai underworld.

Vitthal Kaanya (Ashish Vidyarthi), a rival gang lord, offers Raghunath and Dedh Footiya protection and later hires them both as hitmen. Raghunath becomes a respected hit man, with Dedh Footiya as his accomplice. With Raghunath in his gang Vitthal Kaanya hits a peak in the Mumbai underworld. He is protected by a politician who uses Raghunath for his needs.

While BabbanRao (Home Minister) relies on Raghunath, there are some others who despise Raghunath, and are just waiting in the sidelines to see when Raghunath makes an error. Raghunath does so, and hence becomes an embarrassment for BabbanRao. Soon Raghunath is on the run, both from the police, and BabbanRao's men. Raghunath knows now that he must protect his wife, parents, and family, as they too are in danger. Then Raghunath comes to know that the police have been ordered to kill him in an "encounter", and Raghunath now realizes that there is no escape from this harsh reality.

Unable to save himself from police, Raghu comes back to his home and asks his mother to shot him down for a graceful end of life. His mother does the same and his wife doesn't stop her from doing this.

[edit] Cast

Sanjay Dutt as Raghunath Namdev Shivalkar aka Ragu Bhai

Namrata Shirodkar as Sonia

Sanjay Narvekar as Dedh footiya

Mohnish Behl as Vijay (Raghu's brother)

Ekta Sohini as Puja (as Ektaa)

Reema Lagoo as Shanta (Raghu's mother) (as Rima)

Shivaji Satham as Namdev (Raghu's father) (as Shivaji Satam)

Kashmira Shah as Dancer (Song 'Jawani Se')

Deepak Tijori as Sub-inspector Kishore Kadam (as Dipak Tijori)

Paresh Rawal as Suleiman Bhai

Mohan Joshi as Babbanrao Kadam (Home Minister)

Ashish Vidyarth as Vitthal Kaanya (as Ashish Vidhyarthi)

Himani Shivpuri as Laxmi Akka (Bordello Madam)

[edit] Awards

[edit] 2000 Filmfare Awards

[edit] 2000 Awards of the International Indian Film Academy

  • Award for Artistic Excellence - Sanjay Dutt (Best Actor)
  • Award for Technical Excellence - V.N. Mayekar (Editing)

[edit] 2000 Screen Weekly Awards

Sequel: Few years later a sequel for this movie was made. The name of this movie was 'Hathiyaar'. It was a commercial and critical failure.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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