In "Aakrosh" Priyadarshan steers clear from his usual genre and attempts to address a burning social issue which starts off with honour killing and later amalgamates into caste-based society. Noble intention indeed however such proceedings warrants holding the reigns extremely tight in order to deliver a hard-hitting drama. Slightest deviation in the tight-rope walking act can change the outcome of the tournament. When two obstinate officers are given a case to solve and a roof to share, one would expect the sparks to fly. "Aakrosh"starts off with a big bang. The language is quite authentic. The cinematography adds to the rustic look with the sepia tone. As the mystery begins to unfold, new dimensions are brought to light. However a few subplots do not manage to hold interest and the narrative begins to lose steam. Additionally, the screenplay at times seems to be long drawn especially the action sequences. Ajay Devgan and Bipasha track was a big downer. Overall tightening a few loose ends was warranted ("Omkara" as a reference perhaps?).Performances wise everyone does a spectacular job. Akshaye & Ajay are reliable. Priyadarshan does away with the usual typecast role and this time around presents Paresh Rawal in a new garb. He reminds you of "Dacait" and as usual beats everyone around him hollow. Reema Sen manages to showcase her potential. Sameera Reddy attempts "Beedi Jalai le" though fails to register impact.If you forgive the pace and length, "Aakrosh" seriously deserves a one- time watch.

AA-Krash Burning(Straight copy of Mississippi Burning)When you go wrong, you go overboard – seems like the mantra of once good directors in Bollywood. Similar to Prakash Jha, Priyadarshan who did deliver films like KalaPani, Virasat and Gardish; delivered only promise and a great miss through Aakrosh. This film has everything, right from topics like Honor Killing, Caste fights, Feudal lords, Masala, Item Songs, over-the-top action and one man army style heroism. The lack of real and packed storyline will only disappoint you.The failure starts with camera(s) and frames. You will notice a different treatment of scenes throughout the films. Looks like that the songs and action sequences are shot by two different directors. The opening was shaky and thrilling but lacked the camera control and overall focus of the story. Priyadarshan seems to lose its touch after the continuous churning of brainless comedy. After Hera-Pheri, we are still waiting a great movie from the master. Unnecessary casting of Bipasha Basu and Sameera Reddy (just one sick item number) proves that the producers wanted some sexism in form of these two dusky ladies. They forget that Bipasha basu minus makeup is still worse because she never acted and never can. She cannot even deliver the rustic approach required by the script. Unjustifiable songs are another miss and a total wastage of quite a long saga.The exaggerated action sequences were not at all required. They just helped in killing the mood further. The art director along with the designer was wasted to show Bipasha in a skimpy outfit in past and a rustic, down to earth typical wife wrapped in sari as well. The story has many flaws like, just after the wet rainy song, its shown that the village never had rain since 2 years and farmers are facing draught like situation. There was no Dalit political leader, One CBI officer in the team, small village but a very large police force, Beating media persons in public without any fear, sub-inspector is shown carrying pistols and weapons and equipped with many government cars and gypsy's …… there are many to recall.Though inspired from Ranbir-sena, Shool-sena is shown without its counterpart – Naxalites. The Jehanabad shootings and killings was copied to the silver screen but lacked the horror and emotions. The marketing of this movie was done primarily on recent Khap killings or Honor killings, but the story was loosely inspired from Mississippi burning. When I saw the duo of Akshay khanna and Ajay Devgan, where one is calm and the other is hard boiled hot blooded, suddenly Gene Hackman and William Defoe striked my mind. The Bhatt again copied and got inspired from 1988 Hollywood movie. The "Ku Klux Klan" was modified into Shool- sena after a dirty cocktail of Ranbir-Sena of Bihar. It's a shame on the legendary Priyadarshan. The whole sequence of Bipasha exposing her husband, the fight between the two leads, then an agreement to work together, private part's castration – Nasbandi, to the fight in the saloon with a razor, the sentences and the verdicts are straight lifted from this American crime drama. There was even a scene loosely copied from classic Mirch-Masala.This copy got worse by the love story of Ajay Devgan and Bipasha who is playing wife of Paresh (Villain). The whole movie might look good to those never exposed to cinema and reality. An utter disappointment. Though Akshay Khanna and Ajay Devgan did their best and they delivered very well together. Instead; I would recommend you to buy a DVD of Oscar winning Mississippi Burning than wasting your money to this flop copy.A total of NEGATIVE STARS.

If you watch Mississipi Burning & Aakrosh back-to-back; you will agree with me. A straight lift from the English. Only scenes worth watching; 'Parkour' & Paresh Rawal.Mostly all the lines and events are copied. Only difference, in the English the FBI and the girl commit adultery. In the Hindi; they are old lovers.But the actors have done a good job; on their part. Another thing that made me laugh; was in the Parkour chase scenes; you can easily make out when they are switching Ajay Devgan and the 'supposedly' Body double.

Lets start off with the actors. First of all, Ajay Devgan and Akshaye Khanna were great; they both played the roles of no-nonsense, strong minded CBI officers very well. We're not used to seeing Paresh Rawal in such a role, but he also did very well. Bipasha Basu was also good and Reema Sen did well too in her role. The story itself is good; it keeps you hooked all the way which makes it a good thriller. Priyadarshan has done a good job. There's nothing special about the music, though the track 'isaq se meetha' is alright.Verdict: Watch it; you'll be kept at the edge of your seat for most of the film. I give it 8/10