RDB: loved every bit of it!

The minds in two completely different planes... Thats what I see in Rang De Basanti.
One that is absolutely carefree about anything happening around, that which accepts the flow of life not knowing where it is going to end... not even giving a thought of what it's goals are... It even asks, why does it ever need to think! It's in immaturity, in the state of inebrity!

In that mindset, it wants to enjoy everything... it's proud of being a rebel... It gets the thrill by breaking any imposition or any social boundaries, for instance... which gives it a glimpse of freedom, a taste of boldness... The pairs drinking and dancing around bonfire... the bike racing, the bets on who drinks without falling off, the running towards the flight and jumping to touch it.. all this beautifully shows that youthfulness... the fresh mind that thrills itself tasting the rebellious nature.. "Lose control" is the song for that!

It's innocence and beauty is also well portrayed.. when DJ (Aamir) keeps saying "Yeh kitni achchi hindi bolti hai yaar..." and every one has a hearty laugh; when they make fun of the other by singing film songs... when they all hold together in a big hug when Madhavan proposes to Sonia... a mind absolutely innocent of anything ugly in this world.. ignorant of doublecrossings, of political games... All the mind knows is love, trust, living for each other within the gang of 5 or 6 friends... bound by pure friendship!

And they are introduced to the other state of mind by Sue's documentary work... the freedom fighters who had gone against all pleasures of life, against their family's pleadings, even sacrificing their very lives for the nation... All these doesn't make sense to a mind that's immature... when they make fun of the dialogues - the supposedly golden words of those martyrs... when Karan(Siddharth) reads his dialogue paper and says "whats this guy's problem in life yar?"

Yet they do this film just for Sue and in that process the characters slowly sink into each of them. When Madhavan comes in asking "Koi margaya kya?" it's more than obvious. Also, the flow alternating between both the states of mind keeps this film very lively and different. Then comes the best part of the movie... the point where these two planes meet... or you can even say the point where this youth's mind transforms to the one of those martyrs!

They see their friend in pain... the injustice to her and her family... by not merely forgetting to respect the sacrifice of Madhavan... but on top of it the minister's words that put him into notoriety just to save himself. They couldnot accept this as easily as they could accept the corruption and other 'national evil' as is put normally. Their friendship is dear to them and they have to give her comfort now... DJ(Aamir) breaks down and cries saying "kuch to karna padega yar.. Sonia hamari bachchi hai... aisa hona nahi chahiye tha.. yeh sabh galat hai.."

In the fullness of immaturity and the heat of the moment, they decide on what got just impressed on their minds, the characters of those martyrs come alive and they do the killing. I donot see anything illogical with that. And the movie moves on. They realize that their action didnot get them any near to where they wanted to be. To get their message, it demanded their public confession. The realization... the confession before public, of their crime with their full identity.. the facing of hard truth is the real boldness! "Doing what is ethically and logically right is the real freedom, and that is usually the most difficult thing to do!".. these are the words that echo in the background when they walk into the radio station. That is where the mind is totally transformed to the other plane... one that can sacrifice anything for what it believes, for something that it holds passionate and dear! "Roobaroo" sings it so beautifully!

The eyes of such people shines clear of any guilt
The hearts of such people glow as bright as the sun
The will of such people are as strong as diamonds
These people, who have overcome all fears, including that of death
These people who can lay down their lives for what they believed!

And when DJ and Karan crack a typical friend's joke and laugh out a light moment when the commandos break in and kill them, nothing can tell the message any better... their minds have become those of martyrs! The third kind of men who walk to death, smiling!

And coming to the patriotism bit, I think the misery under the slavery bounded every Indian together. One thing i liked about the movie was the way it showed that this struggle fought a few generations before... the days, the people, the emotions were not so different from today's. It definitely relates to today so well. When I read my history books in school, it more seemed to be a remote past, a feel of some fiction is what I got, when all I was interested in was the facts and dates, not the reality of it!

I somehow cannot accept demanding the same mindset with present people. I feel, they are cool and carefree because the situation doesnot demand the other state. But thinking on the other line, when so many people in our country had laid their lives down for the freedom that they held so dear, it definitely deserves a sincere thought and a longterm action from each one of us who take it so much for granted.

Freedom... freedom to my self- my thoughts, my talks, my actions, my very dignity... in a place that is rightfully mine! With the world shrinking so much, the principles two generations old that saw nation as just geographical boundaries doesn't appeal to me much. It makes more sense to me when I take it as shaping your team for competition. Your team wins only if all players play good. So, just keep up your contribution and spread the spirit!