Aarakshan Movie Review

Aarakshan (Hindi)

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5.0/10
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5.5/10
Release Date:
August 12, 2011

Aarakshan is the story of Prabhakar Anand (Amitabh Bachchan), the legendary idealistic principal of a college that he has single-handedly turned into the state's best. It is the story of his loyal disciple, Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan) who will do anything for his Sir. Of Deepak's love for Prabhakar's daughter, Poorbi (Deepika Padukone), of his friendship with Sushant (Prateik). It is the story of their love, their lively friendship, their zest for life, and of their dreams for the future.

Centered on one of the most controversial issues of recent years, with the Supreme Court's order on reservations, the story suddenly becomes a rollercoaster ride of high drama, conflict, and rebellion, which tests their love and friendship for one another, and their loyalty to Prabhakar Anand.

Aarakshan is the story of Prabhakar Anand (Amitabh Bachchan), the legendary idealistic principal of a college that he has... Show More

The choice for the audience, then, is finally this: whether to overlook the cinematic crudeness (but only by modern-day multiplex standards) and sink into a sturdily old-fashioned Hindi movie from the seventies or the fifties, when films still believed in being the change the filmmakers wanted to see, or to scoff at the rhetoric and the sentiment and the mirror held high in which we glimpse, shamefacedly, the warping of our society

The Hindu

Aarakshan is well-intentioned, but you can't shake off the feeling that you're trapped by a three-hour-long tirade

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IBN

The only well-realised role is Big B’s and the proficient actor could well be the only reason to watch the film—apart from a lovely Tanvi Azmi who plays his wife

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Outlook

Aarakshan could have been a well-marshalled case of caste-and-conscience, but it turns out to be more light-weight cash-and-carry

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Indian Express

The length of a film is not what we are talking about here. It’s how long it actually feels. Aarakshan feels like an eternity

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DNA

Despite the sloppy second half that is long-winded, Aarakshan deserves to be watched for it advocates inclusion as a solution

The Hindu

Aarakshan’s strengths are its performances, dialogue, and the relevance of its content and its easy blend with drama.

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Mumbai Mirror

Aarakshan has all the right intentions but it is a tad confusing in its stance

Filmfare

All it gives us is a highly unlikely hero who wins a highly unlikely battle

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The Sunday Guardian

Despite the cliches which lie in wait in the movie, it is moving

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India Today

Aarakshan is a result of a muddled script that forgets its purpose half way

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Rediff

A rather safe, superficial and simplistic take on an extremely complex theme. The film lets off steam, and generates some smoke, but the fire is missing.

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NDTV

As a film on the issue of reservation, Aarakshan was rocking till the first half. But as an omnibus on the travails of India's education system, it flounders into no-man's land

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Times of India

Aarakshan communicates an engaging story with very relatable characters. It's a movie that is truly inspiring and thought-provoking

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BollywoodHungama