The Accidental Prime Minister Movie Review: Impeccable Anupam Kher redefines perfection as Dr Manmohan Singh.
The Accidental Prime Minister Movie Review is out. The much awaited on screen adaptation of Sanjay Baru’s book of the same name, has been in news for various reasons. Helmed by debutant Vijay Ratnakar Gutte, the movie shows Anupam Kher as former Indian PM – Dr Manmohan Singh and Akshaye Khanna as Sanjay Baru – PM’s media adviser. Does the movie entertains, enthralls and discloses some unknown facts?. Let’s find out in The Accidental Prime Minister Movie Review.
Anupam Kher performance in The Accidental Prime Minister as Dr Manmohan Singh
Anupam Kher – the actor with remarkable brilliance, redefines perfection in his pitch perfect portrayal of Dr Manmohan Singh. A lesson in acting for aspiring actors/students, Anupam Kher within a snap of a moment transforms into the former PM on screen. Those leaning shoulders, that trademark walk where the hands hardly moved, that unparallel poker face expression, that sudden pinch of humour during conversations all is so well studied, nuanced and delivered with unmatched finesse. No one else could have done that and it never ever looked like a mimicry/caricature, it was the character coming alive on screen, a avatar, a rebirth. Any other actor would have spoiled it and made it unbearable.
Any controversy?
No.
What is THE ACCIDENTAL PRIME MINISTER all about?
It’s a story of a bond between a Prime Minister and his media adviser.
What is the plot/storyline of THE ACCIDENTAL PRIME MINISTER?
The movie opens with UPA winning the 2004 elections, the mood in the congress party workers is jubilant and they see Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi as their Prime Minister. The ‘videshi’ debate triggers leading to a surprise and unexpected decision, the trusted loyal economist Dr. Manmohan Singh is sworn in as the Prime Minister of India. A naïve to the scene, Dr. Manmohan Singh appoints influential journalist Sanjaya Baru (Akshaye Khanna) as his media adviser. Rest of the story is how Sanjaya Baru struggles to maintain an image of Dr. Manmohan Singh while the UPA keeps its head high with party president Sonia Gandhi and her trusted close associates control the PMO office and its affairs.
Analysis
Good news – in the movie The Accidental Prime Minister, real names of the politicians and party is used. Bad news – you should have the knowledge of what happened during those times, who where the ministers. Who are the people seen discussing matters in meeting. The movie is based on the 2014 memoir by Sanjaya Baru during the tenure of Dr Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of India, the movie does succeeds in earning sympathy from the audience for Dr Manmohan Singh ( certainly, he was the right man in the wrong place). He is referred as Bhishma from the Mahabharata, who in his duty has to obey and serve the ‘family’. He himself had no evil, no ambition of becoming the PM. So, the argument of the movie being a hagiography and having a point to make does gain weight. Questions do arise such as was this movie so necessary, was the perception of Dr Manmohan Singh amongst the public urgently needed an update. Was the movie designed to highlight the control of the ‘family’ over Congress party?. Dr Manmohan Singh’s image in public doesn,t need any update, he is known for his knowledge, he is a genius, he had a soft approach and doesn,t belong to the shrewd ambitious type, he in spite of being controlled by the party president, kept his integrity intact and unharmed. Whoever follows politics in India is aware of the above facts. If you are looking for an insight, some interesting info on Dr Manmohan Singh which is not known then sorry, the movie disappoints.
Akshaye Khanna
Akshaye Khanna remains a talent which is still not trapped to its full potential. As Sanjaya Baru, he carries his swag and gives the narrative the required arc where he turns sutradhar and gives his comments in between. Akshaye Khanna as Sanjaya Baru is an act of amazing brilliance on screen.
Any surprise element in The Accidental Prime Minister?
Yes, the German actress Suzanne Bernert who seems to be born to play the role of Sonia Gandhi. It’s not just her mysterious resemblance to Sonia Gandhi, Suzanne’s mannerisms, accent, look all is bang on.
Performance of other actors in The Accidental Prime Minister?
Divya Seth Shah as Manmohan Singh’s wife Mrs Gursharan Kaur makes her presence felt. Vipin Sharma as Ahmed Patel shines. Avtar Sahni as LK Advani, Vimal Verma as Lalu Prasad Yadav, Anil Rastogi as Shiv Raj Patil, Ajit Sat as former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao and Ram Avatar Bhardawaj as Atal Bihari Vajpayee all are competent. However Aahana Kumra as Priyanka Gandhi and Arjun Mathur as Rahul Gandhi don,t get much scope.
Most weird part in in The Accidental Prime Minister?
Surreally strange, the tv news footage shows real L.K. Advani and Rahul Gandhi when the movie has actors playing those characters. This mismatch of fact with fiction almost threatens the movie of serious consequences. The fiction starts behaving like a documentary in such flashes and disturbs the thread.
Direction of Vijay Ratnakar Gutte in The Accidental Prime Minister
The best part is that director Vijay Ratnakar Gutte in his debut never gives the impression that this is his first movie. He successfully develops the bond between Anupam Kher and Akshaye Khanna and has an eye for certain detailing. The narration is free flowing.
Technicalities, making of The Accidental Prime Minister
Production values are rich, Cinematography by Sachin Krishn is eye pleasing. Editing by Praveen K.L. is fine. Production Designing by Sukant Panigrahy, Paul Rowan and Tarpan Shrivastava is proper. Set decoration by Fran Cooper is authentic. Costumes designed by Abhilasha are in sync.
Final verdict on THE ACCIDENTAL PRIME MINISTER
Anupam Kher has given the performance of his lifetime in THE ACCIDENTAL PRIME MINISTER, its such a towering act that deserves something near GANDHI ( Sir Ben Kinsley) , DARKEST HOUR (Gary Oldman), LINCOLN (Daniel Day-Lewis), DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR (Mammootty), level of a layered cinema to match the act. THE ACCIDENTAL PRIME MINISTER isn,t that cinema that thrives to dig in, instigate, initiate, it’s just a heartfelt account between a PM and his media adviser, still it’s based on certain facts and it cannot be denied that after watching THE ACCIDENTAL PRIME MINISTER it will be crystal clear that even after delivering most outstanding performances in a career spanning 35 years that started with SAARANSH, an actor like Anupam Kher will always ‘prepare’ and ready to go at length to deliver a role that can become immortal.
