YA RAB is an interesting movie with an intelligent, intense and important message but poor presentation. Had the story-telling been on the lines of A WEDNESDAY or AAMIR, this film, I dare say, would have been an absolute stunner. The movie highlights the fact that Islam is not about terrorism and how it has been used as a tool to brainwash the 'mob' by fanatics who have no ideologies apart from wreaking havoc and snuffing out innocent lives.
We have here self-proclaimed watchdogs of the religion who will go to any lengths to educate the "uneducated Muslims", (as the Maulana refers to those who fall for his ploy) to get even with their enemies. However, on the other hand, we are also shown Muslim clerics who are not too happy with the way Maulana Jilani (Akhilendra Mishra) is going about the business of preaching his religion and inciting mobs.
They quote verses from the Quran about how Islam teaches that, "If any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people." So how can you go on a self-destructive mode? This and many other references are made to the Quran where respecting human lives is highlighted. But then Maulana Jilani has his own agenda, and we later learn that he is not from India either! The performances of most are below the mark, while a few go over-the-top in their enthusiasm.
In short, this is a hotchpotch plot with below average direction. Intense scenes are more of a caricature, while after a serious scene (or during one), we are taken to nonsensical flashbacks. One scene in a cell, after ATC Chief Ran Vijay Singh (Aijaz Khan) hammers the daylight out of a convict, is a bummer. A few minutes later, the convict is sitting up, with full make-up and not a scar on his body or hint of pain.
In another, immediately after a blast, Amreen (Arjumman Mughal) whose face is severely scarred is again shown with full make-up in the ICU! The ending too where an operation is performed in a moving ambulance escaping from a mob out to burn them, is hilarious.
The entire screenplay defies logic. I can understand if this has happened in a blockbuster film with the big stars where they expect you to keep your brains behind. But not in YA RAB where the intention is to
educate with a calming message rather than entertain. The two stars are basically for the honest intention.
Rating : 2/5