Movie Review: Ajay Devgn’s RAID

Movie Review: Raid
Rating: 3/5
Director: Raj Kumar Gupta
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D’Cruz, Saurabh Shukla

The story of Raid is set in Lucknow, during 80s and it starts showing for what everyone has came to see the movie – the raid. Without unveiling much, Raj Kumar Gupta takes the story a month earlier showing what all led to this infamous raid. Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn) is the IAS who plays by the rules and can’t be influenced by anything. He clashes with Rameshwar Singh aka Tauji (Saurabh Shukla) at a party.

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Based on the real life story of an Income Tax officer, Raid is about the longest-running Income Tax raid in India’s history. IT officials raided the house of a businessman, and Congress MLA, Sardar Inder Singh in Kanpur on July 16, 1981 and recovered an unprecedented amount of undeclared assets in cash and gold.

After the critically acclaimed Aamir and No One Killed Jessica, director Rajkumar Gupta’s last venture was Vidya Balan’s forgettable affair, Ghanchakkar. Three years later, the filmmaker is back with what he is best at – telling real life stories.

To write a story based on real events is not always easy because of the amount of research work goes behind it. Ritesh has done a mind blowing job in knowing what happened and filtering what he wanted to show to keep the entertaining factor alive. Backed with equally seeti-maar dialogues, the movie gets its strong base from these two pillars.

Raid is dialogue-heavy, with Gupta relying mainly on Devgn’s intense performance to build his case. Right from his morning tea to a visit to the office, officer Patnaik is all about heavy-duty dialogues that are high on the moral quotient. Not just him, even others tend to speak similar language when the officer is around. While Devgn fans may love these seemingly ‘seeti-worthy’ moments in the film, you are likely to be put off if you aren’t one.

At times, you feel how this could’ve happen in real life but that’s what Ritesh does with his research, makes you believe. Screenplay by Ritesh and Raj Kumar Gupta is one of the best things about the movie. To the point proceedings results this movie to have a perfect run time. Gupta, from the first scene, decides to establish the characters of Ajay Devgn (honest) and Saurabh Shukla (crooked). Despite the story based in just one house, Gupta keeps it so intriguing you forget to check the watch on time.

Recreated songs by Tanishk Bagchi are forced and uneeded. Papon’s song by Amit Trivedi is placed well making it worth the story. Background score by Tanishk goes well with the narration and advances the scenes as per their mood.

Ajay Devgn is in his zone throughout & we know how he plays on his home ground. The role of Amay is tailor made for Ajay and it’s impossible to imagine anyone else then him. His portrayal will make you wonder whether the real guy was as law-abiding as him.

Ileana D’Cruz plays her part well and has looked charming as always. The good thing about her role is, it has not gone overboard which makes it acceptable. Amit Sial as Lallan Sudheer also makes his presence felt. His portrayal of the most side-splitting officer accompanying Ajay in the raid complements the witty layout.

Saurabh Shukla is the hero of the film. Post a memorable performance in last year’s Jolly LLB 2, the master is back to prove how there’s a lot more to extract from this genius. He gets the best lines & deservingly delivers with utmost honesty. His face off with Ajay Devgn is on the lines of Ajay-Prakash Raj from Singham, entertaining throughout.

All said and done, watch this for an entertaining story, edge of the seat kinda narration and first-class performances by Ajay Devgn & Saurabh Shukla. A Raid you’ll not mind being a part of!