Black Friday Review  

On Friday, March 12, 1993, Mumbai, then known as Bombay was rocked by serial bomb blasts in its…  

On Friday, March 12, 1993, Mumbai, then known as Bombay was rocked by serial bomb blasts in its most densely populated areas. More than 250 innocent people died and hundreds more were injured. As fingers were pointed and law enforcement investigated the cause, Hussain Zaidi researched and documented the proceedings in tremendous detail in a book published two years ago. Based on the same book, Anurag Kashyap’s “Black Friday”, which is struggling for an Indian theatrical release against the wishes of the Supreme Court of India, is not just a gutsy, gritty, and mind-boggling adaptation, but is also one of the finest films to come out of the Indian film industry in recent years. As a writer and director, Kashyap tells his story unconventionally, breaking numerous cinematic norms, using a strong Cinema Verite style. The most unconventional aspect of the film certainly is the lack of a central protagonist. This forces Kashyap to juggle several points of view including those of Inspector Rakesh Maria (Kay Kay Menon), accused gangsters Dawood Ibrahim (Vijay Maurya), Tiger Memon (Pavan Malhotra), Dawood Phanse (Gajraj Rao), and their pawn Baadshah Khan (Aditya Srivastava). Given the Herculean task of effectively developing all these viewpoints and characters within temporal constraints, Kashyap emerges victorious, doing justice to them all, skillfully narrating the stories in a moderately paced episodic structure. Realism has always been Anurag Kashyap’s forte, as is exemplified by his writing in Ramgopal Varma’s “Satya”, “Kaun”, and “Shool”. Now in the director’s chair, he takes his penchant for realism to more pronounced and captivating levels, manipulating the audience, placing them in the heat of the action on certain occasions, and relegating them into a voyeuristic viewpoint on others. Aarti Bajaj’s editing dexterously enables the director to develop this style, uncharacteristically holding longer on Cinematographer Nataraja Subramaniam’s wide, high angle crane shots, particularly during Maria’s investigations. Subramaniam coats the frame in heavy brown and red tones, bordering on a monochromatic, sepiaesque feel. The use of grainy stock and hand-held shots also add to the gritty tone of the film. Holding the realism of the film together is the superior quality of performance from a very low-profile cast. The immensely talented Kay Kay Menon and Aditya Srivastava excel in their respective roles, while Vijay Maurya’s resemblance to underworld don and international terrorist Dawood Ibrahim is shocking. Despite such strong vision and treatment, “Black Friday’s” directorial voice is subtle and takes the form of an undertone. This in fact works to the film’s advantage as viewers are fed numerous facts and events unfolding constantly, the final judgment left to their intelligence to pass. The only didactic interference from Kashyap occurs in the closing montage of stills and documentary footage from the 1993 bombings and riots, set to Indian Ocean’s phenomenal track, “Bandeh”. Despite clearance from the Indian censor board, the Supreme Court of India has held “Black Friday’s” theatrical release for fear of this powerful film influencing the sentence that is yet to be passed on the case: a ludicrous excuse, considering Zaidi’s book has already been publicly accessible for over two years. After a Golden Leopard nomination at the Locarno International Film Festival and winning the Special Jury Award for best feature at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles this year, one hopes that international distributors notice this highly significant film and give it its much deserved opportunity at the box office. N.B. This writer viewed “Black Friday” at its Los Angeles premiere during the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. This is a flop movie. 

What a movie i never had seen before.....It deserves to send to the oscar..i m sure it will win…  

What a movie i never had seen before.....It deserves to send to the oscar..i m sure it will win oscar......Wht a realistic film..... 

i actually saw the plight of mumbaites come on screen... brilliant...be it the camerawork(awesome)…  

i actually saw the plight of mumbaites come on screen... brilliant...be it the camerawork(awesome) , background score... or performances.. definetly thought provokin'.. " an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" .. that says it all.. kudos to anurag kashyap and his team.. 

I find no words to describe the movie it seemed as if i was a part of it overall it is excellent  

I find no words to describe the movie it seemed as if i was a part of it overall it is excellent 

naaaaaaaaa wasnt soo good ....  

naaaaaaaaa wasnt soo good ....  

An eye opener...Brilliant movie...Was mesmerized watching this file. The film opens with a quote by…  

An eye opener...Brilliant movie...Was mesmerized watching this file. The film opens with a quote by Mahatma "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"... After the screening was over, I felt how true is the quote.. I have only one thing to sayto Anurag Kashyap "Please make more movies....and yes...I m waiting for Paanch to release"... 

black friday is awesome movie.......when somebody makes a movie on a book,there is fear that he'll…  

black friday is awesome movie.......when somebody makes a movie on a book,there is fear that he'll fall somewhere but i would give all credit to director anurag kashyap for his fantastic jobkudos to kashayap for not deviating from his goal after blocade on his movie paanch,bf...pawan mahlotra is excellent as tiger.kk is good but most surprising is Aditya Srivastava as badshah khan........other actors are fabulous at last i must say that bollywood is coming out of age and these young director won't disappoint in the future. 

Friday 13 march 1993 was the day that shook Bombay, shook Bombay to the core because until then…  

Friday 13 march 1993 was the day that shook Bombay, shook Bombay to the core because until then Bombay never thought it was susceptible. Black Friday tries to show the chaos and after effects of that fateful day, what led to these serial bombings and who were the people behind one of first acts of terrorism in India. Make no doubts about it, but this should be the movie that should be sent to the Oscars irrespective of which movie becomes the year’s biggest commercial hit, because this is Indian cinema at its peak, these are the kind of movies that have a chance there, which bring recognition to the country, that truly reflects our capabilities.Anurag Kashyap has created a modern day masterpiece and his efforts are worth the highest of praises. The interrogation scenes shot in photo studio red hue is very very close to what actually happens in police stations. The screenplay would have been aided by the book by S.Hussain Zaidi by the same name Black Friday, but anyways the script is gripping. the chase sequence involving a bomb blast fugitive were he runs for his life,stops,hides,runs again, stumbles and is finally too exhausted to do anything is pure genius. The immaculate planning by Tiger Memon, the fund aiding and support of ISI, the arms smuggled into Bombay, the fleeting appearance of Dawood Ibrahim are given appropriate footage to create the necessary impact. The film traces the purpose of the blasts; it shows the state of mind of the people involved, their rigorous training and poisoning of minds while they are made to listen incendiary audio cassettes. Black Friday has remained in the cans for more than two years after its completion but the product is still very fresh and more so relevant than ever before. The narration is interspersed with news footages and archives from the 1990’s.The span of incidents that occurred during Dec. 92’-May 93’ are sequenced unconventionally as it goes forth, then back, and then further back then forth again. it was banned because it takes the name of people who were involved in the chain of events, presents the truth as it is without kowtowing to any individual, religious groups, political organization or nation,. The film is made for an intelligent, aware and open minded audience who are willing and eager to know the truth and understand the gravity of this incident.Pawam Malhotra as Tiger Memon is ’ A’ rate. He emotes his fury and shows cunningness with his eyes. We should see more of him. Kay Kay‘s performance is restrained brilliance. Black Friday shows the minutest of details about the incidents if viewed with suffice attention. More than anything else for our generation watch it to learn about our recent past, to understand how communalism sprouted, how intelligence agencies operate, how every body is vulnerable because there is more to the world than meets the eye. It’s two thumbs up, four star rating and a vote for India’s this year’s official entry to Oscars—Black Friday.  

First of all, let me clarify that Black Friday is more of a documentary, than a feature film. It…  

First of all, let me clarify that Black Friday is more of a documentary, than a feature film. It tells the tale of 1993 Bombay blasts, and conspiracy behind it. It was made a couple of years ago, but never got released since the matter was sub judice. Now that the movie has finally seen the light of the day, question arises - was it worth the wait? Definitely! After you watch the movie, you’ll realise how much home-work the director has done. He didn’t intend to make the movie to grab attention or cash in on the 1993 riots. Black Friday is a very honest attempt to portray the reality of the 1993 blasts. If you’ve seen the 9/11 commission report, then you’ll appreciate Black Friday even more, for the kind of details it goes into. It doesn’t try to preach, just portrays the facts. It very beautifully outlines how the Muslim youth in India got misled and betrayed by their so-called leaders. Pawan Malhotra, as Tiger Memom, is terrific. The very fact that is the film’s USP, is also it’s shortcoming - the details. The details of each character, along with frequent going back and forth in time, makes the movie a little heavy for the viewer. For example, Baadshah Khan’s track is a bit too long. But I also understand from director’s point of view that it had to be dragged so the audience can relate to Baadshah Khan’s disillusionment. 

well, first i want to salute anurag kashyap for doing something that no other person had the guts…  

well, first i want to salute anurag kashyap for doing something that no other person had the guts to do,he is a true patriot.THE MOVIE IS DAMN GOOD A MUST WATCH FOR EVERRYBODY I GIVE IT A FIVE STAR RATING.IT IS NOT A DARK MOVIE IT HAS few LIGHT MOMENTS TOO  

Black Friday takes a bold attempt by exposing truth. Its a must watch for everyone. Performance,…  

Black Friday takes a bold attempt by exposing truth. Its a must watch for everyone. Performance, background music, direction etc-everything is perfect. A must watch!