Satya (1998)

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Satya has been regarded one of the finest films of Indian cinema. No doubt, everytime I hear about it, people regard it as an underworld or a gangster film which is unfair and unjustified. Reason? Satya is not about underworld but the story of a poor innocent immigrant who comes to the city of dreams to earn an honest living but tragic consequences lead him to become one of the most dreaded gangsters. The film no doubt, is based on the underworld yet it sticks to the story of the man that becomes a gangster and even tries to quit the world of crime for the sake of woman he loves.I don't understand what has really happened to the once maverick director Mr Ram Gopal Verma who have given the Industry some amazing films like Rangeela, Kaun, Ek Hasina Thi, Ab Tak Chappan, Jungle, Company and of course Satya. I have been a huge fan of his work in the past and it feels sad that he has lost focus in the craft he once mastered at. Anyway Satya shall remain his finest work.It's the most realistic take on the world of crime. The film was made with the tight budget and hence it adds up to the realism with the absence of glitz and glamour. There are few scenes in the film where you may question the logic of the makers but it has been shot so amazingly that you would not blink your eye during the proceedings. It's a must watch.Performances are Top Notch. The star is of course Manoj Bajpayee who steals the show but let me put it here that JD Chakravarthy wasn't any less either. I have read reviews including some on IMDB where people have complained about Chakravarthy's performance and called him 'average' at everything. Perhaps people could not understand Satya's character. RGV wanted a south indian actor who doesn't show much of expressions yet has the feeling of anger like fire. JD has done complete justice to his character and It feels bad that he hasn't gotten his due as a performer.Urmila Matondkar is simply superb, she is my favourite actress and I have grown up watching her films. Her innocence and refreshing presence are the only bright spots in this out and out dark edgy film. She is simply outstanding in the climax sequence. Ditto for Shefali Chaya who was exceptional. Just a small complaint that makers didn't bring her up for the reaction after the killing of Bhiku Matre.Music by Vishal Shekhar was a rage at that time, I still remember. Sapne Mein Milti hai is still popular. But it's Sandeep Chowta who has done a remarkable job as the composer for background music. Saurabh Shukla is excellent as usual . Paresh Rawal in a small role is very effective as the Commissioner of Police. The other actors have nailed their parts well. Satya is a film that should not be missed. It's a hugely recommended film for the subject it takes, the execution and the reality it shows. Go Watch it if you haven't.

Ram Gopal Varma's Satya is said to be the movie of the decade, no doubt RGV is considered to be the introducer of Mumbai Noir genre and he is the master of Underworld Crime movie, the way he takes the story is so interesting and has very much soft flow with strong energy that gradually makes anyone to get easily involved in the movie, JD Chakravarthy is proved as an outstanding performer with his portrayal as Satya, Urmila had done a neat and very effective acting, such gorgeous performance is surely appreciable but the real star of this movie is the role Bhiku which was played by an extremely talented actor Manoj Bajpai, his performance is just like the tutorial for all those budding artist to learn what is the involvement into the character mean. The making is also so perfect and realistic such a rustic and raw portrayal of the movie truly stamp the impression on the viewer, overall it's the masterpiece.

Now, this is what I call a great film. 'Satya' is no highly-stylized, cool-guy-with-a-gun gangster film but a gritty, honest portrayal of a man who is dragged into a life of crime.The movie starts outside a crowded station when a young man named Satya (J.D. Chakravarthy) comes to Mumbai in search of a job. Living in a small slum, he finds a petty job soon. But his life is turned upside down when he gets into trouble with the egoistic local goon who beats him up and throws him into jail where he is charged for a crime he did not commit. There, he meets the psychotic gangster Bhiku Mhatre (Manoj Bajpai) who agrees to help him avenge his humiliation in a bid to get rid of his own enemies.One of the primary reasons why 'Satya' works is that Ram Gopal Varma is not scared to take risks. He doesn't try too hard to make the audience feel sympathy for the characters. The film does not boast of picturesque locations and you're glad that it doesn't, because it makes the viewing even more meaningful. Varma masterfully toys with the script in a way that every dialog and nuance falls perfectly into place. J.D. Chakravarthy, who plays the lead role, turns in a convincing performance and so does Urmila Matondkar who plays his love interest in the film. The performances of the rest of the cast are worth bragging about but the real star of the film is Manoj Bajpai. I would happily single out his performance as one of the best I've seen and he deservedly won a National award for it. The screenplay, jointly written by Saurabh Shukla and Anurag Kashyap is pitch-perfect, because they have a wonderful ear for the local lingo. Gerard Hooper's and Mazhar Kamran's stark cinematography is an absolute wow, adding to an already long list of the film's positives.If I have to criticize 'Satya' for something, it would be the timing of the songs. I feel that the film could've done without the songs, but then, the film is so near-perfect that you tend to not pay attention to the film's negatives.For me, 'Satya' will always remain the greatest Indian film ever made. The film's depiction of a desperate man struggling to make an honest living but failing to do so is so realistic that it terrifies you. It defies every single rule on how to make a perfect Bollywood-style film. Grab a DVD and watch it. The film is something extraordinary.

Ram Gopal Varma's Cult-Classic 'Satya' is indeed A Landmark Motion-Picture! A Rustic, No-Holds-Barred, Gruesome, Gangster Flick, that leaves an haunting, unforgettable impact. Its amongst the finest films to come out of the Hindi film industry.'Satya' tells the story of Satya, an immigrant who comes to Mumbai seeking his fortune but instead gets sucked into the Mumbai underworld.'Satya' is so Good, it appears unreal, yes, its that terrific a film. Ram Gopal Varma's Execution to this masterful film, deserves a standing ovation. Without a shed of doubt, 'Satya' is his greatest film to date. Anurag Kashyap and Saurabh Shukla's Screenplay is exemplary. The entire drama & the violent backdrop, are marvelously gripping.Performance-Wise: Manoj Bajpai's performance as Bhiku Mhatre, is amongst the greatest performances in Indian Cinema. The actor is mesmerizing as the rustic & foul-mouthed underworld don. J.D Chakravarthy as Satya, is excellent. Urmila Matondkar is first-rate. Saurabh Shukla & Paresh Rawal are fantastic, as always. Makrand Deshpande shines as well. Shefali Shah is a pleasure to watch. Aditya Shrivastava is terrific. Others lend support.On the whole, 'Satya' is a must watch.