Movie: Raag Desh (UA)Rating: 4.75/5I have a great liking for historical period films, simply because I feel that watching such films is like travelling back in time to those old days in which these are often set. Having watched the breathtaking trailer, listened to the pleasant music and seen the poster daily while travelling, I made up my mind to watch RAAG DESH, and I'm glad I watched it. Another reason why I watched it today was the independence day approaching in two days. I wanted to see a patriotic film that will pump up my patriotic vibes on the occasion of independence day. This film, is simply one of the best films of the year.Don't think RAAG DESH will pull you into boredom, given the fact that it's a period film. It's educative, but surprisingly entertaining too. The film has a lot of goosebumps-inducing moments where you'll feel proud to be an Indian who had such great freedom fighters standing to guard us. Such films need to be promoted, and such filmmaking needs to be encouraged so that we can celebrate more unsung heroes.The film captivates the viewer right from the very first shot. It's a film which has a heart, and thankfully it's in the right place. It's no regular patriotic film, like we had in old times. With films like RAAG DESH coming up, it can be said that patriotic genre will have a great rise in the coming few years, because such films are remembered for long. Director Tigmanshu Dhulia compels you to stay glued to the screen, even when the editing slightly falters. Undoubtedly, the editing could've been a little better in only a few scenes. But for a moment I felt the film really needed side tracks to make us feel connected to the characters. And this thing worked, seriously. The technical aspects of RAAG DESH need to be highly appreciated, since it's made on a low budget. Be it the visual effects, the action scenes or the courtroom scenes, everything is shot, executed and presented in a manner that one would definitely end up liking this film. The screenplay is excellent, and is spellbinding in most parts. The music, especially the song HAWAON MEIN WOH AAG HAI is the best one. The song gives you goosebumps and manages to generate a strong patriotic emotion, as it's supported by great visuals too.Dialogues are another major strength of RAAG DESH. There are many clapworthy ones too. Kunal Kapoor is excellent in the role he plays, and so are Amit Sadh and Mohit Marwah. The three leading men deliver, perhaps the best and the most intense performances they would've ever delivered in their entire career. Mrudula Murali is decent and plays her part well. But the man who turns out to be the scene stealer is Kenneth Desai. His expressions, dialogue delivery and overall performance deserve a huge round of applause. And as a whole, the entire film and its team deserve a standing ovation. RAAG DESH is a well-intended film which hits the right notes and succeeds in captivating the viewer's attention from the very beginning, shocking him/her in the intermission and making him/her emotional in the end. This can be easily termed as one of the best Hindi films of the year. And one of the best patriotic films too. Such films aren't bound by any Box office prospects, so ignore the fact that it hasn't really done very great business. Go out with your family and pay a hearty tribute to our brave protectors by watching it. Smiles will spread, tears will be shed, and the overall message will be conveyed. The best film to watch this week!

In the era when Nationalism is blindly followed in India and been understood as the purest form of patriotism, Raag Desh brings an informative theatrical experience on one of the most crucial and underrated events that had accelerated country's independence in a massive way post Quit India Movement. Indian Army's (the desi servicemen of course) moral support over the trial of 3 INA officers followed by the mutiny of Royal Indian Navy in the same year 1946, made the British Raj realise that they would not be able to hold the administration & defense anymore which were mostly been served by Indians - Police, Army, Navy etc under the commands of British officials.As a movie it stands out fair, specially to maintain historical accuracy and showcasing the limited awareness of mass for the INA activities till the trial started. Also it has successfully portrayed the roles of patriotic bureaucrats, who may not have marched the streets against British bullets but fought the administration from within. And the movie also quite truthfully shows, patriotism is not everyone's stick to keep it high, especially under government oppression where patriotism demands ultimate sacrifices both financially and physically, unlike the social network brawl these days. Not every captured soldier was convinced enough to get dragged into another battle they knew was quite impossible to win, and even when they volunteered, not everyone could walk till the end. That does not make them 'anti national' - but like any other fellow countryman who could not participate in anti British movements or like us who cannot rise up and resist every wrong doing around us because of the desire to have normal family life and live it.Although its filmed in a documentary style, Raag Desh never drags at any point. The courtroom remains intense, flashback events are crisp and relevant, pacing is thorough. All the lead characters are quite believable, Amit Sadh deserves a special mention though. Music is one of the section where I felt it should have been compelled more powerfully and less melodic. 'Tumhe Namaami' is a fine track though. Action is the other section I was let down quite a bit. I understand the budget crunch Mr. Dhulia has faced in this non starer epic which actually demands & deserves some full phased battle scenes. But even the group contacts could have been handled with more realistic fighting tactics. Although its fair for bollywood but Mr. Dhulia you yourself have raised the bar for me !But let me thank you for bringing such an important chapter of the pre-independence history which I'm sure can put some light to our little educated country to understand that Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Mahatma Gandhi are not everything we need to know about our glorious past !

Raag Desh like films must be made, and must be made like Raag Desh - honest, sincere, well researched and realistic without over sensationalism in any direction.It is a story that will take to the times when India was fighting for independence at various levels. The language, dress, sets and the manner of speaking has been done so well that one would not contest the idea and the script. It makes a true story even truer.The film brings out the patriotism the way it existed in India of then. The elite educated in the British built systems and institutions had accepted the British way of life, but there were fringes which discovered that true freedom is about running / owning the country and its jurisdiction. All the patriots portrayed are from well to do English speaking families and that makes the film interesting to watch. It brings a different perspective.It is a must watch for every Indian to realize the cost of independence and the India of those times.

The film is a period drama, based on the Indian National Army set up by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the war to liberate India from the British Government which was fought on the shores of the Irrawaddy in Burma.The British Government called the soldiers of the INA "renegades and Japanese stooges", and a trial was held at the Red Fort in Delhi, which was called the Red Fort Trials of 1945. Raag Desh brings to life that epic trial which paved the way for India's freedom.