This is a plea for someone else, disguised as self-promotion. (Wait. Shouldn't it be the other way round? Anyway...)
Yesterday, I tweeted this:
These are today’s reviews.
Anupama Chopra (Hindustan Times): “Though Bachchan and Bajpayee have played the upright patriarch and heinous politician for Jha before, both give striking performances. But the impact is diluted by a plot that lurches from one event to the next without giving us anything new.”
Rajeev Masand (IBN Live): “There are, however, some strengths in this endeavour, notably in the way Amitabh Bachchan and Manoj Bajpai approach their roles. Bachchan infuses Dadu with righteous anger and heart-wrenching pathos, while Bajpai, saddled with the part of a caricaturish politician, evokes the required contempt.”
Pratim D. Gupta (The Telegraph): "Even in this schmaltzy slush, Bachchan’s solid. There is never a stare that is out of tune. So many films over the years have failed him, but he’s hardly failed a film. It’s his presence here –– as the face of the revolution –– that stops you from crushing candy on your phone."
Vinayak Chakravorty (India Today): “Finally, Big B. It is a performance that virtually dominates every twist of mood in the narrative. After two and half hours of a performance finely-nuanced, Jha gives an unbelievably filmy end to Dwarka's fate. If you still find yourself marvelling at the man's screen presence, that's Amitabh Bachchan for you.”
Sarita Tanwar (DNA): Watch it for Big B's performance. It would be a shame to miss that.
Saibal Chatterjee (NDTV): “Satyagraha has a clutch of fine performances with Bachchan, not surprisingly, leading the way with a measured interpretation of a character that sparks a revolt that threatens to spiral out of his grasp... Parts of Satyagraha make perfect sense but, on the whole, it never comes close to clicking into top gear. It leaves you more disappointed than angry.”
Piyasree Dasgupta (Firstpost): “Why Amitabh Bachchan can’t save the deadly bore fest” (This is the title of the review.)
Rummana Ahmed (Yahoo!): “While the script falters, Amitabh Bachchan’s performance never does. He is brilliant...”
Viewers' verdict (Desimartini.com): “Satyagraha is a charged and intense drama guaranteed to move you as it's based on real events. Amitabh Bachchan and Manoj Bajpayee's performances make up for a weak script and execution. A solid watch, given its message.”
Somebody give the man a good script. Please. PLEASE. PLEASE!