NEWTON IS A FILM WHICH PROVES THAT PERFECTION EXISTS

2017 has been a rather disappointing year for Bollywood and seldom has it happened that we walked into a movie theatre with high expectations and walked out with a sense of fulfilment. Newton changes the game and how! Unarguably the most intelligent film of 2017, the satirical comedy holds you from the first frame to the last.

Newton is a story of a determined, committed and virtuous government official, Newton Kumar (Rajkummar Rao), who's on a mission to conduct free and fair elections in Dandakaranya in conflict-ridden Chhattisgarh under the supervision of a CRPF officer Atma Singh (Pankaj Tripathi). He's the presiding officer and is accompanied by three other officials, Loknath (Raghubir Yadav), Shambhoo (Mukesh Prajapati) and Malko (Anjali Patil) and together the group of four must ensure that the elections are held peacefully.

The film portrays democracy in its most real and unfiltered form. It shows a reality that most of us refuse to accept—a reality that everyone is entitled to have their own opinions. While Atma Singh's only concern is to not let his soldiers face dire consequences because of the voting, Newton Kumar is hell-bent on performing his duties regardless of the danger he might be in. Loknath, on the other hand, is the rugged government official who's gotten himself used to the 'system' and sees no harm in taking his job lightly. Malko is a local teacher, who is practical and has made peace with the harsh reality of her life and the environment she's been born and raised in. The beauty of the narrative is how no character seems out of place and as an individual, you can relate to each and every one of them.

Needless to say, Rajkummar Rao has yet again delivered a performance that won't be forgotten anytime soon. From now on at least, every time someone mentions Newton, I'd have to ask which one they are talking about, Such is the impact of his performance! Pankaj Tripathi is simply phenomenal and such talent only bewilders you. The beauty of the cast is that there is no 'supporting cast' in the film because you can't imagine the film without even a single person who appears on the screen, even it was a soldier or the villagers.

Shot in the jungles of Chhattisgarh, calling the direction flawless would be an understatement. There are long silent shots in the film and believe you me, it's in those shots Amit Mansurkar makes us want to stand up and clap for his skills. The dialogues hit you right in the feels. From cracking you up to sending you on a self-introspection spree, they evoke a myriad of emotions.

Newton is the need of the hour for Bollywood, for art-lovers and for the world in general. From now on, if someone ever asks me to describe art, I'll show them Newton. Period.