Rang De Basanti (Paint it Yellow)

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Movie Info

A young, London based filmmaker chances upon the diaries of her grandfather, who served in the British police force in India during the freedom struggle. Excited about these memoirs, she makes plans to shoot a film on the Indian revolutionaries mentioned in the diaries. She comes down to Delhi, and casts a group of five friends to play the pivotal roles of these revolutionaries. However, products of modern India, the five youngsters initially refuse to be part of the project, as they don't identify with these characters from the past. Not surprising, considering that they're part of a generation of Indians that believes in consumerism. To them issues like patriotism and giving one's life for one's beliefs is the stuff of stuffy text-books are made of. They would rather party than be patriots. In the film, both the 1930's British India and the India today run parallel and intersect with each other at crucial points. As the film reaches its resolution, the line between past and present blurs, as they become one in spirit.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Drama
Directed By:

Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
In Theaters:

Jan 27, 2006 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Apr 21, 2009
Box Office:

$2,008,301
Runtime:

160 minutes
Studio:

UTV

Watch it now

Netflix

Cast

Aamir Khan
as Daljeet AKA 'D.J.'

Siddharth
as Karan

Kunal Kapoor (II)
as Aslam

Sharman Joshi
as Sukhi

Alice Patten
as Sue

Soha Ali Khan
as Sonia

Madhavan
as Ajay

Kirron Kher
as Mitro

Om Puri
as Amanullah Khan

Waheeda Rehman
as Ajay's mother

Anupam Kher

Steven McKintosh
as James McKinley

Mohan Agashe

K.K. Raina

Lekh Tandon

Atul Kulkarni
as Laxman Pandey

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Critic Reviews for Rang De Basanti (Paint it Yellow)

All Critics (6) | Top Critics (4)

The simple-minded presentation ultimately makes it ring hollow.

May 5, 2006 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

G. Allen Johnson
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic
Accomplished and universally appealing, this is the way Bollywood films should be made.

Feb 21, 2006 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

Jaspreet Pandohar
BBC.com
Top Critic
An ambitious melding of history, politics, romance and patriotism within the parameters of a commercial Hindi movie.

Feb 6, 2006 | Full Review…

Derek Elley
Variety
Top Critic
Already a cultural phenomenon in India, this reformist melodrama by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra (Aks) uses razor-sharp technique and an eavesdropper's ear for dialogue to update the patriotic fervor of Bollywood's golden age.

Feb 2, 2006 | Full Review…

David Chute
L.A. Weekly
Top Critic
Mehra's Bafta-nominated attempt to combine political drama and traditional entertainment remains entirely compelling.

May 2, 2015 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Omar Ahmed
Radio Times
The performances are fantastic, and as an ensemble they compliment each other beautifully.

Feb 7, 2006 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…

Raam Tarat
Future Movies UK

View All Critic Reviews (6)

Audience Reviews for Rang De Basanti (Paint it Yellow)

Aug 10, 2014

While at first it seems like a tiresome succession of nice-looking music videos, not even caring to explain how the character can make that kind of film without money, it soon gets worse with a reprehensible message, openly advocating the use of violence to change the country.

Carlos M Super Reviewer
Aug 15, 2010

Wow! this movie is truly a mesmerizing experience, that stick true to its tag line which called 'A Generation Awakens'. A younger generation , that is made for the youth, and not just youth in India, its for youth every where. When a young English filmmaker, Sue, arrives in India to make a film on Indian revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and their contemporaries and their fight for freedom from the British Raj. Owing to a lack of funds, she recruits students from Delhi University to act in her documentary drama. Sue's motivation is her old grandfather's journal, when he was assigned in India back before the freedom. Initially, these students scoff at the ideals and people of the past, but a sequence of events set in slow motion a merging of the past and present. Defending their death friend's honor cause by a tragic accident, they set a plan of murder that the consequences bite them at the end, but it just might be what the younger generation needs. The movie itself is full ride of emotions, drama, laughter and sense of patriotism. The dialogue is nail-biting and thought provoking. Direction was steady, though some judgment error but its overshadowed by the whole movie itself. I never thought it would be as great as the hype makes it out to be, but it is. The movie might be too forward (the murder scene) for Indian viewers, but its a start, a beautiful revolution in Hindi industry. The cast was perfect as it is, especially the young and talented Sue; played by Alice Patten. She is wonderful and her Hindi is more fluent than me! Aamir Khan whom I always adore again delivered a memorable character. Siddarth, Kunal Kapoor, Madhavan, and beauty Soha Ali Khan was great at their respective roles. The director; Rakesh Omprakash Mehra writes, research and develop this movie for 7 years (As the rumor said) and it shows. I notice few error, tiny plot hole in his direction, but can't complain as what he is trying to show us comes first. Exceptional music by A.R Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire composer) was a plus too. 9/10.

Cancelled U Super Reviewer
Apr 15, 2007

Watch This movie has touched my heart. I think it tells a wonderful story. AR Rehman's music is probably the best. Storyline, awesome! Acting, amazing. I completely love this movie! Every single bit of it!

Maryam T Super Reviewer