Class of '83 (2020, Movie Review)

The story is based on true events and one of the cop action movies. This is involved with the training academy. Back in 1983 and there you see the flashback retro theme cinematography. Honest officers being a restriction for the politicians and the underworld are usual things where cops are victimised by removing them from a post or transferring them. Same happens to Bobby Deol being posted as Vijay Singh at a training academy (police). It is just like typical cat mouse games, suffering for being dutiful, emotional dramas are one of the highlights but there is more to it. However, an insight into all the mechanisms is shown in 98 minutes.

Class of 83 - The Punishers of Mumbai Police based on Hussain Zaidi's novel and directed by Atul Sabharwal. The story talks about the life of a top cop with a legendary status who is very much frustrated, He is a made a scapegoat of the corrupt politics of the legal law bodies and was sent on punishment as a dean of training school (police) in Nasik, Maharashtra. His job was to train five young cadets in such a way to create first of the other encounter squads for the Mumbai Police that would establish in future. But his plan is not as full-proof as it may sound and the circumstances and the pressures turn these young officers into paid assassins in the police uniform. An honest attempt by director Atul Sabharwal to show they grey side of the Mumbai Police. To tell a story about why the law of the city work the way they want to work. But it fails to make a big impact & by the end, the whole film looks like one big trailer of 98 minutes with the viewer being left with more expectations from the movie.

Bobby Deol, as the main character in the role of Dean Vijay Singh, makes a big impression on screen, something that he has not done earlier. He plays his positive role with a hint of grey shades perfectly as an actor. It is quite a commendable job for someone who is making his OTT debut. The art direction, set design and the montages of 80's make the film more interesting through. The look of the movie is the same as it would have been in the early '80s with a lot of sepia on the frame. The technicians, for editing, have done a brilliant job of making Class of 83 a fast cut and compact movie. Also, cinematographer's free-flowing camerawork and lighting create a mood-enhancing atmosphere for the film. The technical truly stand out in making sure the film looks great overall. The music in the film is pitch-perfect and relates to the situation in the story. Be it the military like trumpets during the parade or the frightening sounds during tense situations, veteran music director Viju Shah does his job perfectly of creating according to the situation's requirement. What fails for the movie is the slow script. The screenplay looks like a recreation of the book and the plot fails to raise the temperature. The suspense heightens at some places but falls too quickly making it look like an average drama. Even the encounter scenes between the police and the mafia which fails to establish the drama which Shootout at Wadala perfectly managed.

The supporting cast tries to make an impression but it slowly becomes weaker as the movie progresses. The newcomers Pramod (Bhupendra Jadawat), Aslam (Sameer Paranjape), Vishnu (Hitesh Bhojraj), and Laxman (Ninad Mahajani) make quite an impression as cadets but fail to make an impact as the tough cops of Mumbai Police.

Mangesh’s (Vishwajeet Pradhan) as an instructor and Raghav (Joy Bhattacharya) as the chief of police both playing the roles of a friend, as well as a colleague to the dean stands out. Manohar’s (Anup Soni) impression of being a pure corrupt & a sly politician makes you dislike him in the character. The movie gives all these characters a limited hand in a room and they are often seen fighting for their own space. Overall it is a decent film and good honest effort by Red Chillies Entertainment partnering with Netflix to bring something of a class with a hint of simplicity to the table. It brings some fresh air with good old actors with some fresh talent. The movie is made up good and sticks to the plotline. It’s classical old school movie which is not too suspenseful but gets you heart racing at many certain scenes, Light moments about friendship and love and most importantly acting which is just perfect for the roles assigned to each actor. Serious and dark acting by all the actors but none of them over or under acted their parts, kudos to them.