Kyon Rang Dena Hai Basanti:

Green revolution, brown sugar, red-tapism, blue film, black money etc etc. Aren’t there enough colours in India? Is it humanly possible for us to single-handedly change the entire system? It maybe nice to romanticize such exaggerations and it’ll definitely be enjoyable to watch it in a movie. But it is utterly ridiculous to even comprehend executing them in real life. We are but a speck in the desert, a drop in the ocean. Our effect in this world is like dipping your hand in the ocean and removing it. Would there be any change in the ocean? Before we even start to think about changing the system, the system will change us. So why bother! Live your life to the fullest. By this I don’t mean you don’t care about the deteriorating society. We must think about our surroundings and raise our voice against any form of injustice in our country. But to ride a motorbike and shoot the defense minister when he is out for his morning walk is sheer stupidity. Then our fate will be like those of the heroes in Rang De Basanti. Don’t you feel they could have done a lot more by staying alive? Today death, tomorrow cremation, matter close. The bottom line is…you don’t have to change the system. If each one of us changes internally, then the system will automatically change. This was one of the ideas expressed in the movie that I fully agree with. Instead of complaining about bribery, why don’t we all stop giving bribes. But do we?? If we are caught without license or for over-speeding, how many of us will go up to the police station, file an FIR, pay the fine and continue our drive. Did you even know that this is the procedure? That’s because we get away by paying the traffic constable a “nominal fee.” We feel content that we have done our duty by paying the fine… but does it go to the government? The point is… the same literates and critics of the Corrupt Indian System would not mind getting out of the line when it comes to matters involving themselves.

As a movie, Rang De Basanti maybe touching and thought provoking. As a movie, its screenplay was excellent. The way he showed how the British ruled the Indians then and how politicians are ruling them nowadays. The way he compared the two. All that was really good. But when it comes to the corrective measures… why do all the filmmakers think the same way? Heroes taking the gun or joining the politics. I mean… is it practically possible. It’s childish and immature to talk about a common man even thinking of going to politics and changing the country. Is that the only solution? There seems to be a dearth of ideas and creativity. Yuva, Rang De Basanti, Nayak etc… Guys- please think different!!!