Bhrashtachar

Bhrashtachar review :

The legendary Ramesh Sippy is one of my favorite directors and so naturally, I have seen his entire filmography from Andaz (1971) right to Shimla Mirchi (2020).

Bhrashtachar, featuring Rekha, Mithunda and Rajinikanth, was actually beginning of Ramesh Sippy's downfall and all films he made after this were critical and commercial failure. The story with its multiple characters is more suited for TV series which Manohar Shyam Joshi was famous for. He had written the super successful Buniyaad for Ramesh Sippy. But the lethargic plot about corruption didnt quite fit in to the film format. Laxmikant Pyarelal's music was another downer and Bhrashtachar was filled with unnecessary songs.

Rekha and Mithun da performed earnestly as ever but again there was no chemistry between them at script level. Anupam Kher's Purshottam was almost an extension of his Arjun (1985) character. Shilpa Shirodkar and Abhinav Chaturvedi (Nanne from Buniyaad) were wasted. Not many know that Aamir Khan was approached for Abhinav's role but he refused.

Rajini Sir appeared in a cameo as Abdul Sattar, a benevolent don who flicks a cigarette even in a courtroom. When the judge reprimands him, Rajini corrects him that he hasnt lighted the cigarette yet. Lol.

More than anything, Bhrashtachar became infamous for a cringy rape scene picturised on debutant Shilpa Shirodkar who played a blind girl abducted and brutally raped by politician Anupam Kher. Picturised with multiple mirrors, the elaborate scene left little to imagination and it was second such shocking scene after Zeenat Aman's Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980).

Overall, an underwhelming film from Ramesh Sippy though his direction was as competent as before. Watch the scene where Anupam Kher shoots his crony Sudhir Pandey as he falls on a swing and you will understand my point!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni