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By Taran Adarsh, August 30, 2002 - 17:06 IST
A painting on celluloid – that's an apt description for AGNI VARSHA. Unfortunately, the film lacks the soul to strike a chord with the audience of today.
iDream Productions' AGNI VARSHA, directed by Arjun Sajnani, is set against the backdrop of a drought-ravaged land where a grand fire sacrifice is being conducted by the Chief Priest, Paravasu (Jackie Shroff), to appease Lord Indra (Amitabh Bachchan).
The story is derived from the myth of Yavakri, which is a part of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Paravasu's cousin and bitter rival Yavakri (Nagarjuna) is resentful of Paravasu's position as Chief Priest and seeks revenge by seducing his abandoned wife Vishakha (Raveena Tandon).
Arvasu (Milind Soman), Paravasu's younger brother, is in love with a tribal girl Nittilai (Sonali Kulkarni). He is all set to defy his family and marry her, but the devious manipulations of those around him embroils him in a battle for supremacy that leads to the inexorable end.
Raibhya (Mohan Agashe), Paravasu's father, wreaks his own vengeance on Yavakri by unleashing upon him a demon, the Rakshasa (Prabhu Deva), setting off an irrevocable chain of events.
In an era of substandard products, where the same masala is being churned out in a new garb week after week, AGNI VARSHA dares to be different. Extensive detailing has gone into the making of this flick, which is evident from its plot, the setting, the costumes and the overall ambience.
The first half of the film has what it takes to keep the audience glued to the screen. The story begins in the very first sequence and director Arjun Sajnani's story telling is uncomplicated – simple enough for the common man to decipher.
Besides an intriguing plot, the chain of events – the scene between Nagarjuna and Raveena, Milind and Sonali Kulkarni's reactions soon after, Mohan Agashe's entry, Prabhu Deva's introduction, Nagarjuna's death and Sonali's marriage to a man from her tribe – in the first half raise the expectations for a much better second half.
Although the post-intervals portions has its share of drama, the film suffers on two counts. One, the pace drops considerably and the goings-on move at a snail's pace. And two, the drama is not as impactful as it should've been.
Director Arjun Sajnani has extracted wonderful performances from the cast. He deserves all the praises for that. The shot execution and the usage of special effects is commendable as well. But as a storyteller, he takes a long time to convey what needs to be conveyed in the second half.
Moreover, the film belongs to an altogether different genre and its acceptability by the present-day audience is doubtful. Also, the film can do without the songs in the second half.
Cinematography (Anil Mehta) is excellent. The outdoor locales and also the overall ambience have been captured to perfection. The background score is apt.
On the performance front, the film belongs to Milind Soman. Enacting a complex role, the model turned actor infuses life in his characterisation and delivers a bravura performance. Raveena Tandon is superb in sequences with Nagarjuna first and with Jackie later.
Jackie Shroff is restrained. Nagarjuna is first-rate in a role that has grey shades. Sonali Kulkarni is expressive enough to leave a strong impact. Prabhu Deva is just right. Mohan Agashe and Raghuvir Yadav are, like always, extremely dependable.
Amitabh Bachchan is nice, but his fans will be disappointed with the length of his role.
On the whole, AGNI VARSHA will be liked by connoisseurs of meaningful cinema, besides winning laurels in the international circuit. But for the masses of India, the film has precious little to offer. Business at multiplexes and select cinemas of metros will be the best.
  
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