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I love the movies where Shahrukh is another one, unlike himself. No, he is always cool, of course - after all, he`s my favorite Indian actor forever and ever. But the roles where I can see him as a stranger are specially valuable for me. When even a voice, gait, gestures and facial expressions are new.

List of these roles includes, of course, "My Name Is Khan" (an autistic with Asperger's syndrome), "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" (bespectacled wonk) and "Fan" (obsessed fan of a Bollywood star - yes, there was a wonderful make-up, but SRK played it the way that all the critics have gone mad!!!).

Since yesterday, I added to this list another movie and another hero of Shahrukh. It`s Raees.

The review of this movie was not written immediately. It was necessary to digest and comprehend all what I saw. "RAEES" did not want to let me go.
At the same time I can`t say that the plot itself is so unique and inimitable. But the collection of many successfully connected components - directing, camerawork, music and, of course, the actors play - instantly made this film so priceless for me.

What is the film about?

It`s a crime drama about illegal business in Gujarat of the eighties & nineties of last century. Gujarat is the state, where the alcohol sale is absolutely prohibited. Raees, the main character of the film, is engaged in clandestine manufacture and sale of sharab (alcohol). At the same time, even though his business is banned, he works without causing harm to anyone, including competitors... as long as they do not touch him.
Many critics and viewers see the real prototype of Raees - it`s Abdul Latif, Gujarati alcohol dealer and criminal authority. Since childhood he was being working in sharab business and after growing up he became its king. He was famous as a legendary gangster all over India and was killed by the police.
However, the filmmakers deny the fact that Raees is the copy of Abdul, saying "the story of the film is a pure work of fiction, not based on any person; living or dead".

So, this is a life story of Raees, the boy from a poor muslim family, who even have not enough money for get glasses (he has myopia and cannot see blackboard notes, so madame teacher beats him for unlearned lesson). Raees is just a child, but he has a good brain & the mind of the businessman. With his wisdom and courage he gets a job with the Gujarati leader of alcohol salespeople.

Finally, Raees buys spectacles. And he strongly fights with everyone who dares to call him "battery" (four-eyes). By the way, here is the secret of his eyes with surma (antimony) on them! Sure, this kohl brings a crazy charm to his eyes, some kind of danger & fatality. But everything is explained simply, his weak eyes need surma which is useful for this problem.

I really, really liked the naturalism of the film - interiors without gloss or retouch, simple clothes, usual Indian streets, common food ... The events take place in the fictional city of Fatehpura, but it looks absolutely real, typical Indian town with its special sounds, colors and even the smells.

And songs... Wonderful songs! They smoothly fit into the the film line. Only ZAALIMA looks a little strange here. No doubt, this video is beautiful and romantic, but feels as if it was taken from some other movie.

LAILA MAIN LAILA in the context of full story is perceived quite differently than on YouTube. While watching the movie, this song fills the viewer's internal with a tension and makes him cringe in anticipation of the denouement. Sunny Leone is very hot and attractive in this video. The audience in movie theatres have gone crazy watching it, dancing and singing with Laila. By the way, the official video has already more than 85 million views on YouTube!

My favorite video song is UDI UDI JAYE. Shahrukh with Mahira are so cute and touching here, and we can enjoy a very colorfully Gujarati traditional kite festival and dance.

The song DHINGANA, showing Raees at the beginning of his illegal business & career, it's really cool, also!

Dialogues are special value of the film. Elegant, light, ironic verbal duel like a game of tennis or badminton - one submits, the other beats back. "Business is in the air of Gujarat. You can forbid me to breathe, but how can you stop the air?"
Many good unexpected jokes, humor, paradoxical and absurd situations - "chashma chor" with the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the fight in the butcher shop with the head of bakra (goat), underground alcohol party, where a policeman dressed as Michael Jackson rocks the dance floor ...

The actors are fine all, without any exception.
Raees in his childhood, and his mother, and old good doctor, and younger friend of Raees...
And, of course, Aasiya, the wife of the hero. I am very happy that, despite the pressure of the media and society, the tensions between India and Pakistan, this talented girl finally came into the film. Any other Bollywood actress would happily agreed to play this role. In the end, Mahira Khan made her wonderful debut as a spouse of Raees - gentle, stubborn, proud, loving and always ready to support her husband. "Little strong gangsta lady", - says Mahira about her heroine.
And OF COURSE amazing Navazuddin Siddiqui as a policeman Majmudar. He's a terrific character actor - looking not like a love romantic hero, he plays so many different roles! He is always unexpected and great!

Shahrukh Khan... Honestly, I do not know what to tell about him, what to write. I am full of emotions, but cant express them with the simple words. He is stunningly handsome, really. He becomes better looking with the years. Episode of his intro shows Ashura, a day of mourning in Shia. Naked from the waist up, he whips himself by the chain. This scene has such a high temperature and emotional stress that the screen is looked steaming. In theatres, watching this scene, the audience whistles, applauds, yells, stomps and almost swoons. And I, hell, understand them so!!!

5 of 5, definitely!

(c) Yulia Monakova

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