Failed encounter

 

Advance word on Department said director Ram Gopal Varma and his team of cinematographers, armed with Canon EOS 5D cameras, were trying to push the envelope in guerilla filmmaking. On paper, this looked exciting. After all, the man who gave us Satya and Company was trying to do what Paul Greengrass and his Bourne films did to the spy genre. Never mind that his last few films had failed miserably.

But, after watching Department, all one can say is optimism is overrated. Varma delivers, literally, the most nauseating film of his career. The tottering camera offers crazily angles throughout the movie, making mincemeat of a compelling script and good performances.

The film tells the story of Department, a new wing formed by the Mumbai Police to step over the law’s boundaries and kill gangsters. Headed by Inspector Mahadev Bhosle (a restrained Sanjay Dutt), who is ably assisted by fellow officer Shiv Narayan (Rana Daggubatti, face etched in wood), the department takes on the Mumbai underworld. The first to bear the brunt of its offence is Sawatya (an over-the-top Vijay Raaz). As pressure mounts, he struggles to keep his henchmen loyal. But, after several encounter killings, it is revealed that the department has more on its agenda than just finish Sawatya. 

Enter Sarjerao Gaekwad (a brilliant Amitabh Bachchan), a gangster turned minister, who has his own axe to grind. Shiv befriends him, much to Bhosle’s dislike. An ugly power struggle ensues and Bhosle and Shiv are pitched against each other.

Department could have been interesting, had it been filmed by a less indulgent director. It is clear that Varma had fun shooting and editing the disorienting visuals. Though some of the sequences has its merits—like an uncut chase through the narrow gallis of Mumbai—most of the film comes at the cost of the viewers’ patience.

Department

Director: Ram Gopal Varma

Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Rana Daggubatti, Amithabh Bachchan, Vijay Raaz

1 star

This short take was originally published here