It would, however, serve as an exemplary case study on the evils of stereotyping, not only in terms of the plot, but also characterisation and the director's vision. Unless, of course, that was the intention.
The film deals with 'formulaic' subjects like Hindu-Muslim friction, communal violence, preachy jingoism, and the police and the political system.
Here's the plot outline: Bachchan is Joint Police Commissioner Dev Pratap Singh, who believes in serving and protecting the interests of the nation above all else. He is suspected of harbouring unpleasant feelings towards his 'minority' (read: Muslim) brethren. But nothing could be further from the truth, even though his only son, aged 5, was a victim of a Muslim bullet (if there was one!) and 'they' have made more than one attempt on his life and that of his wife, Dr Bharati (Rati Agnihotri).
But he is pigeonholed as a 'Muslim-hater', and Muslim politician and terrorist supporter Latif (Ehsaan Khan) perpetuates the stereotype for his own selfish ends.
Completing the picture, in more ways than one, is Om Puri, playing Special Commissioner Tejinder Khosla. Though he and Dev have been friends for over 30 years, he becomes a victim of the system, doing a classic good-cop-turned-bad routine. When he comes head-to-head with Dev, it makes for very interesting viewing. The scenes involving Bachchan and Puri make for the most riveting parts of the film.
Amrish Puri and Milind Gunaji playing Chief Minister and his sidekick Rao, respectively, manipulate Khosla, Latif and Dev for love of 'the seat'.
In the midst of all this is Aaliya (Kareena Kapoor), Farhan's childhood sweetheart. She is sucked into this whirlpool of violence and anger that reaches its crescendo when riots break out and people are burnt alive.
The seasoned performances of Amitabh Bachchan and Om Puri carry the film. Watch, especially, for the Bachchan monologue as he breaks down after witnessing the gruesome deaths by fire.
But don't write off Fardeen Khan, or even Kareena Kapoor. Both come into their own with this film. She has an author-backed role and lives up to it. Her singing is not too distressing either. Fardeen portrays the transformation of the innocent but troubled youngster to jihadi sharpshooter with conviction. Yes, and the much talked about kiss does tell of the couple's on-screen chemistry.
Nihalani endeavours to make a social statement with some hard-hitting art-meets-commercial cinema. But must this reflection in the mirror be a trite, sorry sight?
Don't get me wrong. Dev is not a bad film. Even with the minuses of storyline, a rather vague ending, and its duration, the performances of the lead actors are compensation enough, making it worth a watch.
CREDITS
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Fardeen Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri, Ehsaan Khan, Milind Gunaji
Director: Govind Nihalani
Producer: Entertainment One, Aditya Birla Group
Music: Aadesh Shrivastava
Lyrics: Nida Fazli