Watch Raajneeti

Raajneeti, a 2010 Indian political thriller directed by Prakash Jha, is an enthralling movie that explores the dark side of politics. Starring a stellar cast, including Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor, and Nana Patekar, the film presents an intricate, engaging and fast-paced story that is sure to captivate viewers. The story revolves around a political family in the Indian state of Bihar. The head of the family, the powerful Bhaskar Sanyal, dies suddenly, leaving a power vacuum that triggers a brutal political war between the family members for the throne. Bhaskar's son, Prithvi (Arjun Rampal), who is a reluctant political heir, believes in idealism and integrity, while his cousin Veerendra (Manoj Bajpayee) is a ruthless and power-hungry leader who will leave no stone unturned to ascend to power. Prithvi's girlfriend, Indu (Katrina Kaif), is a talented and ambitious journalist caught in the middle of this family feud.

The story takes a dramatic turn when Prithvi's younger brother, Samar (Ranbir Kapoor), returns from America after studying political science. Samar, who is initially aloof and detached from the family's political power struggle, is forced to take sides after Veerendra brutally assaults his girlfriend, Sarah (Sarah Thompson). As Samar gets more involved with the family's politics and as the election day approaches, he is caught in a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal, which will challenge his morals and values.

The movie has a plethora of characters, each with their own motivations and political ambitions. Ajay Devgn plays Sooraj, a political strategist, who works for Prithvi's party. He is a shrewd and cunning operator who is not bound by any moral compass in his political maneuverings. Nana Patekar portrays Brij Gopal, a senior political leader who is unhappy with the nepotistic politics of the family and is planning his own political agenda. His character is a personification of the inner conflict that many of us face in our daily lives between the principles we stand for and the difficult choices we have to make to survive.

The movie is a masterful blend of politics and emotions, without veering off into melodrama. The powerful dialogues, the intense performances by the cast, and the complex characterizations all contribute to its success. The movie graphically portrays the underside of Indian politics, which is characterized by violence, corruption, and exploitation. It also showcases the struggle between the idealism and pragmatism, and how personal ambitions can lead to the downfall of even the most virtuous of individuals.

Director Prakash Jha has done an excellent job in bringing the story to life, capturing the mood and the nuances of Indian politics. He has avoided the common stereotypes and caricatures that are often seen in political dramas and has managed to create a gripping and intense political thriller that keeps the audience engaged throughout.

The music of the movie, composed by Wayne Sharp and Pritam, is impressive and memorable. The background score effectively sets the tone for the different scenes, and the songs gel well with the narrative.

Overall, Raajneeti is an engaging and thought-provoking political drama that explores the dark side of Indian politics. It stands out as one of the best political dramas in Indian cinema history and also as an excellent ensemble piece. The movie does not take sides but leaves it up to the viewer to decide who is right and who is wrong. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in politics, thrillers or just cinema in general.

Raajneeti is a 2010 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.