23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
GenZ watches Satya: A masterclass in filmmaking, Manoj Bajpayee's gem is approved by all generations
Satya and I were born in the same month and same year, yet never had an opportunity to meet each other. I always heard that Satya is an ultimate classic, the best of Ram Gopal Varma, the film that gave Manoj Bajpayee his much deserving due in the industry and made Urmila Matondkar the talk of the town. Yet, the film was something I judged by its cover and didn't care to sit down and carefully browse through its pages. Being someone who is not a fan of action or thriller; a movie on underworld and gangsters was not exactly in my sandbox. Little did I know what I was missing all this while? On the occasion of Manoj Bajpayee's 55th birthday, I decided to finally give it a watch and I am glad I did.
Satya is a masterclass in filmmaking. I fell in love with Ram Gopal Varma (someone I have been judging lately for his recent movies and statements) for the genius he is. This film both made me happy and sad at the same time for having a great filmmaker who somewhere lost his purpose in life. I had watched Bhoot, Raat and The Attack of 26/11, among others and knew he was great at his job, and then simply like others thought that maybe success got into his head, but after watching Satya, I couldn't help but be in awe of his work and forget his past missteps. Not once did I feel that I was watching a film as old as me. Everything looked so real, raw, and slice of life. The film had me from the very first scene.
The introduction of the film's titular character (played by JD Chakravarthy), right from the time he stepped into the city of dreams to how he ends up being the most important member of one of the deadliest gangs of Mumbai, just had me at the edge of my seat, wanting to know his each and every move. Satya comes from nowhere, with a bag in his hand, a vacant expression on his face and aggression on his mind, and warmth in his heart for a few. The movie might have Satya as its title, but as I watched, every character who appeared even for a couple of minutes, left a lasting impression. Looking at a young Sanjay Mishra, even in such a small role, was such a bliss. Moving forward, Manoj Pahwa, Saurabh Shukla, Makarand Deshpande, every actor in the frame is a fleshed out character with their hopes, sorrows, joys and aspirations.
While every character and scene in the film deserve a long note of appreciation, my favourite moments featured Makarand Deshpande and Saurabh Shukla. Oh, how I fell in love with their drunk conversation. Bhiku Mhatre is just out of jail, he celebrates his return with his gang with the song Kallu Mama, with every shot of the song giving flashback of stories these actors share from their struggling days. A small room with a number of people, drinking at night, living life to their fullest as though there is no tomorrow. Their sorrows dipped in alcohol, happiness on their force and the carefree dance.
And then I met a young Shefali Shah on screen, playing Bhiku's wife with their chemistry so lived-in that you will believe that they actually are married for years. She stands out in the scene where Bhiku Mhatre brings his friend Satya to his house after their first encounter, late at night as Mumbai is being pelted by rain. She starts by yelling at her errant husband for not returning home after getting released from jail, and now showing up drunk. It's her reaction when Bhiku slaps her in front of his friend that arrests your attention — she steps back and freezes in shock, tears filling her eyes, her trembling lips and then embarrassment and shame on her face. One wonders why an actor of her talent was reduced to playing Akshay Kumar 's mother in Waqt.
As much as I admired Shefali Shah, who had a fearless yet grounded character and made sure to leave an impact every time she came on screen, I also couldn't help obsessing over Urmila Matondkar's character, Vidya, in the film who largely speaks with her liquid eyes.
While JD Chakravarthy was Satya for a reason in the film, the man of the hour Manoj Bajpayee took me to a whole another world with his acting, which looks effortless but speaks volumes about what an exceptional actor he is. His comic timing, aggression, fearless attitude, and love for his wife. He had my heart at every scene. The favourite of all when he goes on a double date with Satya, Vidya, and Pyari. Manoj, fully submerged in his Bhiku Mhatre character, humourously recalls taking his wife Pyari to watch Jurassic Park on her last birthday.
' Pichle saal mere wife ka birthday tha, mai isko picture leke gaya tha, who kaunsi? Chipkali wali picture. Woh kya naam the uska? Jija Mata Parak.' While I wondered if he was trying to name a Marathi film, I soon realised he meant to say Jurassic Park. And he doesn't stop there, he goes on to explain the film in detail. The entire conversation had me in splits and I couldn't wait to see more and more of Bhiku Mhatre in the entire film. I had forgotten there was Manoj Bajpayee, as all I saw is a man whose name is Bhiku Mhatre and how he stole the spotlight every time he entered the frame.
While the list can go on and on about how beautifully this film has been written by Saurabh Shukla and Anurag Kashyap, and directed by Ram Gopal Varma, the conclusion remains it is evergreen. Satya is every generation approved.
