Maqbool

Maqbool was released in 2004 and remains one of the most critically acclaimed movies of all times. This was the second movie directed by Music director turned Director- Vishal Bharadwaj, after Makdee.

Plot and Story:
Maqbool is an adaption of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with characters and story line moulded appropriately to suit the soil. Based in the rustic Mumbai underworld is the empire of Jehangir Khan (respectfully called Abbaji, meaning a Father-figure in Urdu.) Jehangir Khan and Kaka (meaning uncle in Hindi) have matured under Lalji bhai. After Lalji bhai’s death, Jehangir becomes the unopposed heir to his empire spreading and reserving his dominance over his areas of operations. Maqbool is an adopted son of Abbaji and one of his trusted lieutenants, apart from Kaka and Guddu (Kaka’s son and Abbaji’s proposed son-in-law).

Maqbool is a capricious soul torn between his loyalty to Abbaji and a secret love for Abbaji’s mistress- Nimmi, who compels him to betray Abbaji. His lust for power and love towards Nimmi leads him to overcome everything that comes in his way of domination. Fearing Guddu’s natural accession to Abbaji’s position, Maqbool and Nimmi plot and kill Jehangir in a cold blooded murder while Jehangir is in sleep, and no one but Nimmi around.

This begins a series of hatred, hand-shakes, switching loyalties and killings. Meanwhile guilt haunts Maqbool and Nimmi, who constantly feels blood stains on her hands that she cannot wash out. Maqbool conspires and kills Kaka and Guddu teams up with Riyaz Boti (Abbaji’s nephew whose father is killed by Maqbool), to settle his scores with Maqbool. Pandit and Purohit are two corrupt police officers who, in their act of “balancing powers” make a fertile ground for Maqbool’s rise, and later his death.

Similarities to Godfather:
Jehangir Khan’s character seems to draw parallels with that of Don Veto Corleone of Mario Puzo’s The Godfather. Some striking similarities include:

• A short stature (Mario Puzo describes Veto Corleone as a short guy, ditto for Jehangir Khan in Maqbool)
• Husky voice
• Denial to a lucrative offer that involves dealing in narcotics
• A man of word, a dominant in his area and a Don with ethics

Dialogues:
Vishal Bharadwaj has worked hard on his screenplay and dialogues, some of the truly impressive dialogues in this movie include:

• “Aag ke liye paani ka dar bane rehna chahiye. Shakti ka santulan bahut jaroori hai sansar main” (A dread for water should always be maintained over fire. Balance of power is absolutely essential in this universe.)
• “Maine rishta nahi, naam poochha hai” (Pandit and Purohit’s senior responds when Purohit replies “Abbaji” on asked what is the Don’s name.)
• “Gilouri khaya karo Gulfaam, jubaan kabu main rehti hai” (Jehangir Khan warns a local MLA to be within his limits.)
• "Paale to kutte bhi jaate hain Miyan" (Nimmi compels Maqbool to get heart over his head.)

Music:
Vishal Bharadwaj’s music in this movie has a classical base. “Jhin mini Jhini” is a truly melodious track crafted by Vishal himself.

Cast and Direction:
This movie seems a bundle of titans with major theatre talent appearing together on silver screen. Actors are meticulously chosen to suit the characters. Pankaj Kapur and Irfan Khan seem irreplaceable as Jehangir Khan and Maqbool respectively. Old buddies Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah justify the characters of Pandit and Purohit. Ajay Gehi is good as Guddu. Piyush Mishra (a theatre figure) plays Kaka, and Tabu completes the talent crew as Nimmi.

All in all, Maqbool is an appeal for classes, rather than masses, and a must watch for all those who sincerely appreciate good quality movies.