Chakravya

2012
Directed by: Prakash Jha

While I have no doubt that it had earnest intentions, Chakravya is marred by poor production value, weak story development and cheap acting.

Chakravya is a fairly cut-and-dry plot; two friends S.P. Adil Khan (Arjun Rampal) and Kabir (Abhay Deol) devise a plan to infiltrate and attack a region under Naxalite control. Kabir sends himself into the guerilla camps to be an informer to Adil but things are complicated when, almost obviously, Kabir finds himself supporting the rebel cause. The two-hour power play between "tribals" and "big business" plays out in a series of arms smuggling and town raiding. The film has a political sway, no doubt, and even ends with a heavy handed moralistic statement shaming the audience (almost). While it's hard not to grasp the point of the film the story is limp and uninteresting with hardly any emotional conviction.

The best moments of the film happen in the brief moments when Abhay Deol and Arjun Rampal are alone on the screen together. While Abhay exudes calmness throughout the film Arjun trumps him by making his rage and swagger palpable. 

Anjali Patil does well as one of the leaders of the Naxalites. Her Juhi is strong, remorseless and powerful. It was exciting to watch simply because it was so different.

Esha Gupta is a horrific actress who seems to think heavy breathing equates with emoting. She's wrong there.

Chakravya is, frankly, quite bad. Pass on this one.