Starring: Nana Patekar, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif , Ajay Devgan,Arjun Rampal & Manoj Bajpayee. Directed by Sajid Khan. Written by Anjum Rajabali and Prakash Jha. Music by Wayne Sharpe Rating: **

Rajneeti portrays the battle for political supremacy in the Pratap family. The film is like Mahabharata, in some instances the director takes this inspiration a bit too far. Manoj Bajpayee's character, Virendra, who is the son of a venerable politician feels sidelined after power shifts from his paralyzed father to his uncle. Virendra is not able to reconcile with the fact that he has been left behind in the shadows, whereas his cousins Prithvi and Samar grow in stature and influence.

To change the political equation, he reaches out to Sooraj (Ajay Devgn) in order to neutralize his political opponents. However, the entry of Ranbir Kumar as Samar Pratap Singh, who comes on a vacation from New York changes the ballgame altogether. Ranbir guided by the veteran Nana Patekar has an ace up his sleeve or a "Katrina" up his sleeve for every political trick used by his opponents.

Rajneeti as a film speaks about the political system of India, how it operates, and how the dynasties perpetuate their political power. The film also depicts a saga of violence, betrayal, crime and use of money to secure power and prestige for oneself.



Ranbir has delivered a solid performance; as Samar he learns the tricks of political trade faster than his rivals, much to their surprise. He has a lot of people including elder brother Prithvi, played by a charming Arjun Rampal, his political mentor "Mammaji" - Nana Patekar and his childhood buddy Indu, a simple yet gorgeous - Katrina Kaif to support him. However, in the quintessential God Father style he plans and executes on his mission almost single handedly.

All in all, it was an interesting story with some typical Bollywood masala lines thrown in for taste. Watching the film was kind of like driving by a car wreck, I knew I shouldn't go but I did and I can't stop talking about it since.