I've not been a Prakash Jha fan, though I cherish his creations. And Apaharan is one of them, which talks about politics, idealism & crime on a very larger scale.Ajay Devgn's performance is apt as the protagonist living life with constant intimidation from his idealism-stricken father. Things turn into a state of disarray as he gets involved into corruption, murder & kidnapping. What unfolds is a grave example of the real times and the writers have written it well.Editing is poor, sadly, whereas the direction & cinematography is fine. Songs are off (with one unnecessary item song). The audience is kept at tenterhooks throughout the first half; second half goes a tad monotonous, yet it is a revealing cinema worth watching & interpreting.BOTTOM LINE: A humble 6.8 out of 10 for this authentic story & attempt. Recommended!Can be watched with a typical Indian family? NOProfanity: Mediocre | Vulgarity/Porn/Sex:Foreplay: No | Nudity: Mild | Violence: Very Critical | Gore: Strong | Smoking/Alcohol: Strong | Drugs: No

Apharan is a story set against the milieu of Kidnapping, which is a booming industry in Bihar, India. The writer and director Prakash Jha has tactfully captured the pulse of the crime city and translated it realistically and most effectively in the movie. The business of kidnapping is so mechanized that even the smallest part of the machinery, which is a 'pan wallah' performs his part in crime with precision. From a middleman to a police officer, to a high profiled politician behind the crime, kidnapping is the name of the game everyone likes to play for high cuts and speedy gains. The protests are curbed, lives are taken without a thought and the city is on the one-way road to becoming a 'jungle-raj', where the whole process of raising voice for the victim and the protector assuring them of solving crimes, is nothing but a facade. It is difficult not to feel revulsion and empathy at the same time for the generation that is fast becoming the victim and perpetrator of such racket. Apharan is also a story of a complex father-son relationship that falls out because both see each other as the culprit to the ideals and values they hold high. There are no black and whites when one views their relationship from outside, but the director in Prakash Jha chose to conclude the story where the poetic justice must be met. This however, leash the creative genius what the film was capable of becoming. It's a great film nevertheless, and a must watch for Nana Patekar's fans that would like to see him in the same element as the thespian was in Parinda. Prakash Jha after Gangajal has again managed to extract simply breathtaking performance by Ajay Devgan as Ajay Shastri who once dreamt of becoming a police officer. He refused to live like a failure and switched lanes that only led him to the path of success, power and eventually self-destruction. The item number in Apharan is quite weak compared to 'Babuji Zara Dheere Chalo', which shot model Yana Gupta to instant fame in Gangajal. Because of a herd of characters that are not all essential to the plot, film loses its pace after the interval. The climax could certainly have been more heroic. Actors Mukesh Tiwari in the role of honest police officer Anwar Khan and Yashpal Sharma as Tabrez Alam's (Nana Patekar) key kidnapper who operates from jail, are simply brilliant and actors to watch out for. Mohan Agashe, Ayub Khan, Murali Sharma, Mukul Nag and Ehsaan Khan also did justice to their roles. Bipasha Basu as Megha Basu, playing Ajay's ladylove didn't come across very naturally, though her performance was satisfactory. Why watch Apharan? Because it's an undeniable eye-opener, boasts of realistic acting, effective cinematography, fitting premise and production, and has almost a flawless direction.The Story: Ajay Shastri (Ajay Devgan) aspires for a job in the police force, which is his ticket to a future of power, respectability, social status and a secure life with his childhood sweetheart Megha (Bipasha Basu). And he hopes it will make his father (Mohan Agashe) proud too. Ajay is prepared to do anything to meet this end. Tragically, his desperate attempt at success is snapped by the choices made by his father. Dejected and disillusioned, Ajay is drawn into a dark world from which there is no return…Under the aegis of self-proclaimed minority political leader Tabrez Alam (Nana Patekar), Ajay soon tastes success and power. What happens when power and ambition clash with ideals and values? Is there a way Ajay's repentance can lead to his redemption as well? Watch Apharan to find out!

Prakash Jha creates yet another masterpiece in his inimitable style. If you loved Gangajal, you'll love this even more. Very well acted by Nana Patekar and Ajay Devgan. (why do Indian movies have to give credits to 'hero' 'heroine' & 'villlain' always??). Bipasha Basu's character is less significant than many other supporting characters in the movie.Great editing, camera-work, background music, art, of the movie makes the narrative very effective! And the storyline weaves through true Bihar politics & mafia nexus, and is narrated very effectively. Deserves attention of the Critics Choice award! The movie is worth watching for Nana Patekar's acting itself. Its been a long time, we haven't seen Parinda's Nana in another bone-chilling act (although this comes nowhere close to Parinda).Overall, this movie is a must watch for the socially aware people.

In a different way though.While "Gangajal" was graphic, "Apaharan" is slick. It moves at a fast pace throughout and rarely breaks its rhythm. All the actors deliver impressive performances. But it's Nana Patekar who steals the show in this one. The usual loudness is gone and replaced by composure. Nana was always a fine actor, but in the recent years has lost his way. In "Apaharan," he finds his groove again. Welcome back, Nana.The movie is about the thriving kidnapping industry in Bihar, Jha's home state. The passion Jha has for his besieged land shows clearly throughout the film. Although we have been numbed by the tales of corruption told earlier, "Apaharan" still manages to shock us. Bihar was always a backward state, but 15 years of Laloo rule has turned it into a surreal world, full of scheming gangsters and unscrupulous politicians who sometimes seem to have forgotten why they ever started this ghastly game in the first place.The climax is predictable but leaves us something to cheer about. A must see.