Vaastav: The Reality
Encyclopedia
Vaastav is a 1999 Hindi crime
drama
written and directed by Mahesh Manjrekar
and starring Sanjay Dutt
and Namrata Shirodkar
. It also features Sanjay Narvekar
, Mohnish Behl
, Paresh Rawal
, Reema Lagoo
and Shivaji Satam in supporting roles.
"The Reality" as described by the film's tagline, refers to the harsh realities of life in the Mumbai underworld
. The film is said to be loosely based on the life of Mumbai underworld gangster Chota Rajan.
The film was well received by both critics and audiences and is often regarded by many as one of Sanjay Dutt's best performances. The film was extremely successful both in India and overseas. It was nominated for and won many awards. Over the years it has become a cult film.
) and his best friend Dedh Footiya (Sanjay Narvekar
) (literally meaning "One and a half feet long/high" in Hindi) struggle to find work in Mumbai. They decide to run a pav bhaji
stall. But fate steps in when Raghu accidentally kills a customer who turns out to be the brother of a notorious gangster, Fracture Bandya, and ends up in the Mumbai underworld.
Vitthal Kaanya (Ashish Vidyarthi
), a rival gang lord, offers Raghunath (Raghu) and Dedh Footiya protection and later hires them both as hitmen. Raghunath becomes a respected hit man, with Dedh Footiya as his accomplice. With Raghunath in his gang, Vitthal Kaanya hits a peak in the Mumbai underworld. Later Raghunath was approached by Babban Rao (Mohan Joshi) and who asks Raghunath to work for him and uses Raghunath for his needs.
While Babban Rao relies on Raghunath, there are some others who despise Raghunath and are waiting in the sidelines to see when he makes an error. Raghunath does so: Babban Rao was under serious pressure from the public and government. Soon he issues a shoot-to-kill warrant for Raghunath. Raghu is on the run, both from the police and Babban Rao's men. Raghunath knows now that he must protect his wife, parents, and family, as they too are in danger. Then Raghu comes to know that the police have been ordered to kill him in an "encounter." He realizes that there is no escape from this harsh reality. He kills Babban Rao as he would spoil others' lives like his, in the future.
Unable to save himself from the police, Raghu comes back to his home and tells his mother to save him. His mom takes him away to safety. When Raghu asks for some liquor by selling his pistol, his mother remembers how Raghu had taught her how to use a gun; she pulls the trigger and kills him.
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
drama
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
written and directed by Mahesh Manjrekar
Mahesh Manjrekar
Mahesh Manjrekar is an Indian director, actor, writer and producer. He is credited with directing the critically acclaimed films Vaastav: The Reality , Astitva and Viruddh... Family Comes First . He has won a National Film Award and two Star Screen Awards...
and starring Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt is an Indian Hindi film actor and politician. Dutt, son of Hindi film actors Sunil and Nargis Dutt, made his acting debut in 1981.-Personal life:...
and Namrata Shirodkar
Namrata Shirodkar
- Early life and family :Born on 22 January 1972 in a moderate Marathi-speaking family, Namrata Shirodkar is an Aquarian. She used to live in Khar, a suburb in Mumbai. Her sister is the actress Shilpa Shirodkar...
. It also features Sanjay Narvekar
Sanjay Narvekar
Sanjay Narvekar is an Indian actor from the state of Maharashtra. He has worked in Marathi and Hindi stage plays and movies.He has played lead roles in many Marathi films and supporting roles in Hindi films. His portrayal of Sanjay Dutt's sidekick 'Dedh Phutiya' Sanjay Narvekar is an Indian actor...
, Mohnish Behl
Mohnish Behl
Mohnish Bahl Mohnish Bahl Mohnish Bahl (Hindi: मोह्निश बहल,(born 14 February 1963) is an Indian actor working in the Bollywood film industry. He is currently playing the role of Dr. Ashutosh in the show Kuch Toh Log Kahenge-Personal life:...
, Paresh Rawal
Paresh Rawal
Paresh Rawal is an Indian actor of Gujarati background.Making his film debut in 1984, he mainly played supporting and villain roles throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Since 2000 he has mostly played comic roles.- Family and early life :...
, Reema Lagoo
Reema Lagoo
Reema Lagoo is an Indian actress who has appeared in numerous Marathi as well as Hindi films and television shows. She also has had a presence on Marathi stage for nearly four decades.- Career :...
and Shivaji Satam in supporting roles.
"The Reality" as described by the film's tagline, refers to the harsh realities of life in the Mumbai underworld
Indian mafia
The term Indian mafia refers to certain criminal organizations found in some of India's major cities. The "Indian Mafia" also refer to powerful families that have criminal aspects to it.- Mumbai underworld :...
. The film is said to be loosely based on the life of Mumbai underworld gangster Chota Rajan.
The film was well received by both critics and audiences and is often regarded by many as one of Sanjay Dutt's best performances. The film was extremely successful both in India and overseas. It was nominated for and won many awards. Over the years it has become a cult film.
Plot
As the film opens, Raghunath Namdev Shivalkar or "Raghu" (Sanjay DuttSanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt is an Indian Hindi film actor and politician. Dutt, son of Hindi film actors Sunil and Nargis Dutt, made his acting debut in 1981.-Personal life:...
) and his best friend Dedh Footiya (Sanjay Narvekar
Sanjay Narvekar
Sanjay Narvekar is an Indian actor from the state of Maharashtra. He has worked in Marathi and Hindi stage plays and movies.He has played lead roles in many Marathi films and supporting roles in Hindi films. His portrayal of Sanjay Dutt's sidekick 'Dedh Phutiya' Sanjay Narvekar is an Indian actor...
) (literally meaning "One and a half feet long/high" in Hindi) struggle to find work in Mumbai. They decide to run a pav bhaji
Pav bhaji
Pav Bhaji is a fast food dish that originated in Marathi cuisine, and is native to Maharashtra and is popular in most metropolitan areas in India, particularly in Pune. Pav in Marathi means a small loaf of bread. The word has been derived from Portuguese pão . Bhaji in Marathi means vegetable dish...
stall. But fate steps in when Raghu accidentally kills a customer who turns out to be the brother of a notorious gangster, Fracture Bandya, and ends up in the Mumbai underworld.
Vitthal Kaanya (Ashish Vidyarthi
Ashish Vidyarthi
Ashish Vidyarthi is an Indian actor who worked predominantly in Hindi films and lately in South Indian films. He has won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for film Drohkaal in 1995....
), a rival gang lord, offers Raghunath (Raghu) and Dedh Footiya protection and later hires them both as hitmen. Raghunath becomes a respected hit man, with Dedh Footiya as his accomplice. With Raghunath in his gang, Vitthal Kaanya hits a peak in the Mumbai underworld. Later Raghunath was approached by Babban Rao (Mohan Joshi) and who asks Raghunath to work for him and uses Raghunath for his needs.
While Babban Rao relies on Raghunath, there are some others who despise Raghunath and are waiting in the sidelines to see when he makes an error. Raghunath does so: Babban Rao was under serious pressure from the public and government. Soon he issues a shoot-to-kill warrant for Raghunath. Raghu is on the run, both from the police and Babban Rao's men. Raghunath knows now that he must protect his wife, parents, and family, as they too are in danger. Then Raghu comes to know that the police have been ordered to kill him in an "encounter." He realizes that there is no escape from this harsh reality. He kills Babban Rao as he would spoil others' lives like his, in the future.
Unable to save himself from the police, Raghu comes back to his home and tells his mother to save him. His mom takes him away to safety. When Raghu asks for some liquor by selling his pistol, his mother remembers how Raghu had taught her how to use a gun; she pulls the trigger and kills him.
Cast
- Sanjay DuttSanjay DuttSanjay Dutt is an Indian Hindi film actor and politician. Dutt, son of Hindi film actors Sunil and Nargis Dutt, made his acting debut in 1981.-Personal life:...
as Raghunath Namdev Shivalkhar - Namrata ShirodkarNamrata Shirodkar- Early life and family :Born on 22 January 1972 in a moderate Marathi-speaking family, Namrata Shirodkar is an Aquarian. She used to live in Khar, a suburb in Mumbai. Her sister is the actress Shilpa Shirodkar...
as Sonia - Sanjay NarvekarSanjay NarvekarSanjay Narvekar is an Indian actor from the state of Maharashtra. He has worked in Marathi and Hindi stage plays and movies.He has played lead roles in many Marathi films and supporting roles in Hindi films. His portrayal of Sanjay Dutt's sidekick 'Dedh Phutiya' Sanjay Narvekar is an Indian actor...
as Dedh Foootya - Mohnish BehlMohnish BehlMohnish Bahl Mohnish Bahl Mohnish Bahl (Hindi: मोह्निश बहल,(born 14 February 1963) is an Indian actor working in the Bollywood film industry. He is currently playing the role of Dr. Ashutosh in the show Kuch Toh Log Kahenge-Personal life:...
as Vijay (Raghu's brother) - Ekta Sohini as Puja (as Vijay's Wife)
- Reema LagooReema LagooReema Lagoo is an Indian actress who has appeared in numerous Marathi as well as Hindi films and television shows. She also has had a presence on Marathi stage for nearly four decades.- Career :...
as Shanta (Raghu's mother) (as Rima) - Shivaji Satam as Namdev (Raghu's father)
- Kashmira ShahKashmira ShahKashmira Shah is an Indian actress and model. She is the granddaughter of noted Hindustani classical singer, Anjanibai Lolekar. She has appeared in numerous Hindi and Marathi films. Shah is a half Maharashtrian and half Gujarati...
as Dancer (Song 'Jawani Se') - Deepak TijoriDeepak TijoriBorn on 28 August 1961 in Mumbai, Deepak Tijori , is an actor who has worked for Bollywood. He has made over 35 film appearances as an actor and made his directorial debut in 2003. He is noted for directing the 2005 film, Fareb, starring sisters Shilpa Shetty and Shamita Shetty...
as Sub-inspector Kishore Kadam (as Dipak Tijori) - Paresh RawalParesh RawalParesh Rawal is an Indian actor of Gujarati background.Making his film debut in 1984, he mainly played supporting and villain roles throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Since 2000 he has mostly played comic roles.- Family and early life :...
as Mandavali Badshah (Suleiman Bhai) - Mohan Joshi as Babbanrao Kadam (Home Minister)
- Ashish VidyarthiAshish VidyarthiAshish Vidyarthi is an Indian actor who worked predominantly in Hindi films and lately in South Indian films. He has won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for film Drohkaal in 1995....
as Vitthal Kaanya (as Ashish Vidhyarthi) - Himani ShivpuriHimani ShivpuriHimani Shivpuri, is Indian, film, theatre and television actress, who is most known for her role in Sooraj R. Barjatya's film Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! , and as 'Devki Bhojai' in TV serial Humrahi .- Biography :...
as Laxmi Akka (Bordello Madam) - Jack Gaud as Ugly Guy
- Ganesh Yadav as Chhota Fracture
- Mahesh ManjrekarMahesh ManjrekarMahesh Manjrekar is an Indian director, actor, writer and producer. He is credited with directing the critically acclaimed films Vaastav: The Reality , Astitva and Viruddh... Family Comes First . He has won a National Film Award and two Star Screen Awards...
as himself in a song
Soundtrack
| # | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meri Duniya Hai | Sonu Nigam Sonu Nigam Sonu Nigam is an Indian playback singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Hindi movies, as well as films in Assamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada language. He has also released numerous Indi-pop albums and acted in a few Hindi feature films... , Kavita Krishnamurthy |
04:40 |
| 2 | Meri Duniya Hai(Male) | Sonu Nigam Sonu Nigam Sonu Nigam is an Indian playback singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Hindi movies, as well as films in Assamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada language. He has also released numerous Indi-pop albums and acted in a few Hindi feature films... |
04:38 |
| 3 | Tere Pyar Ne (Male) | Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu (alias Kedarnath Bhattacharya , born in Kolkata, is a leading Indian Bollywood playback singer. He was awarded the Filmfare Best Male Playback Award over five consecutive years. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2009.... |
04:36 |
| 4 | Tere Pyar Ne (Female) | Kavita Krishnamurthy | 04:37 |
| 5 | Jawani Se Ab Jung | Preetha Mazhumdar | 04:44 |
| 6 | Apni To Nikal Padi | Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu (alias Kedarnath Bhattacharya , born in Kolkata, is a leading Indian Bollywood playback singer. He was awarded the Filmfare Best Male Playback Award over five consecutive years. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2009.... , Atul Kale |
04:22 |
| 7 | Har Taraf Hai Yeh Shor | Vinod Rathod Vinod Rathod Vinod Rathod, the son of singer Pandit Chhaturbhuj Rathod, is a Bollywood playback singer. He has sung in numerous popular Bollywood films including Chal Mere Bhai, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Mission Kashmir and Baazigar.... , Atul Kale |
05:41 |
| 8 | Aarti | Ravindra Sathe | 03:14 |
| 9 | Vaastav Theme | Ravindra Sathe | 01:14 |
2000 Filmfare Awards
- Best ActorFilmfare Best Actor AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role. The award was first given in 1954....
- Sanjay Dutt - Best Supporting ActorFilmfare Best Supporting Actor AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
(Nominated) - Sanjay Narvekar - Best Supporting ActressFilmfare Best Supporting Actress AwardThe Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Awards is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
(Nominated) - Reema Lagoo
2000 Awards of the International Indian Film Academy
- Award for Artistic Excellence - Sanjay DuttSanjay DuttSanjay Dutt is an Indian Hindi film actor and politician. Dutt, son of Hindi film actors Sunil and Nargis Dutt, made his acting debut in 1981.-Personal life:...
(Best Actor) - Award for Technical Excellence - V. N. Mayekar (Editing)