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Neeraj Pandey’s drama about a common man’s plight and pain projected heroism and terrorism few other films in the same genre did, it was restrained yet rousing
A still from 'A Wednesday', Picture Courtesy: Mid-day Archives
An explosion shocks everyone involved in the pandemonium. He was a common man all along, wanting to clean his house. He exposes his real self in a nine-minute monologue that ranges from fleeting encounters with strangers in locals to incessant calls from missus. Pandey’s debut subverted the notion of heroism and terrorism. The leading men were both above 50, are unfairly described as character actors. The terrorists in question could be right next to your home, or walking on the streets, or working in your office.
Shah, who’s often regarded as the pioneer of parallel cinema, shines in a role that provides him with enough meat and madness. This is his best masala moment after Tridev and Mohra and before The Dirty Picture. His common man is the ultimate patriot, who doesn’t believe in establishing his Indian-ness by chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jai or saluting the tricolour. The verbal explosion is enough, and so is the audacity.
Kher is remarkable as Commissioner Prakash Rathod, and anyone who got tired of his comedic acts, this thriller was a breather. He commands an intimidating aura with his low baritone and blazing eyes. For both of these seasoned actors, age would always be a number. The fact that the freshness of the drama is intact even 13 years later is a rare achievement for a Bollywood film, unlike a lot of other films that release on a Friday and are forgotten on a Wednesday.
Also Read: Neeraj Pandey makes shocking revelation: Nobody wanted to finance 'A Wednesday'
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