Gangajal is loosely based on a true incident that took place in Bhagalpur in 80’s. In order to give the criminals a hard lesson Police blinded them for ever. As controversy and uproar ensued and those responsible were taken to task, public of Bhgalpur took out protest marches in support of Police and the whole enquiry or punitive action came to a knot. Prakash Jha known for making realistic films decided to have his take on this heinous crime and much more in the film Gangajal.
Set in the lawless Bihar countryside the film has a young, idealistic and honest to the core IPS officer Amit Kumar transferred as SP to Tejpur. On the journey itself he gets a taste of the system as he confronts a Police force that is corrupt to the roots. Taking charge of a morally depleted Police force he founds that the whole area and his force is under the control of the local mafia Sadhu Yadav and his ruffian son Sundar Yadav. The local DSP and the Police force are totally at the mercy of this father-son duo.
SP Amit Kumar take the cudgels himself to cleanse the system. The Yadavs use everything from bribery, pressure tactics, intimidation (bombs hurled) to sway him. Slowly a few of the cops start changing for the good and give the Yadavs a chase. Baccha Yadav a SI who was the pet of Sadhu now turns against him, but he is killed brutally. Soon the inspired cops in order to eliminate crime start using extra legal means. In one such incident they use acid from the vehicle batteries to blind the hardcore criminals. Amit is at crossroads confronting the realities. The matter reaches the top, Amit Kumar is summoned to explain his role.
In the meantime locals happy at the elimination of crimes in Tejpur comes down heavily in support of the SP and his band of Policemen.
In the end no action takes place against Amit Kumar as he is able to get rid of the Tejpur town from the terror of Yadavs.
Ajay Devgan plays his part to supreme perfection underplayed - taut gestures, smoldering eyes et al. Gracy Singh as the SP’s wife had nothing much to do. Mukesh Tiwari as a reformed cop does exccedingly well. Mohan Joshi and Yashpal Sharma(the Yadav duo) looks every inch a villain. Mohan Agashe in a short role as a dishonest DIG also does justice.
Wai
Temple town Wai located on the banks of river Krishna in Satara district of Maharashra was recreated as Tejpur, the lawless village depicted in Gangajal. Nestled in the foothills of Sahyadri Hills Wai is 12 km from Panchgani and 75 km from Pune. Wai due to its beautiful surroundings and proximity to Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar is a bollywood hotspot for shooting.
Wai as a rusty Tejpur fitted the bill excellently. The green countryside, the temples, Ghat on the Krishna River the traditional brick houses and streets looked every inch authentic. The climax shot was taken at Kanya Shala, a century old girls’ high school established by noted Marathi reformer Shri Maharishi Karve. Gangajal even had many locals of Wai acting in the film.
Latest Comment
Sourav
madhav