The Indian movie `Aaja Nachle` is Madhuri Dixit`s comeback movie after six years. The film is vibrantly entertaining where Madhuri is seen with some excellent dance numbers. This Bollywood musical Aaja Nachle brings the beloved award-winning Hindi actress Madhuri Dixit back to the big screen after a prolonged hiatus. She was very natural in the movie and attracted the audience because of her charismatic presence. The film was more popular in India than in abroad. The film concentrates to save the countries social and cultural heritage along with some endangered folk arts.
Synopsis of Aaja Nachle
After nearly a decade, an unexpected phone call shakes Dia played by Madhuri Dixit out of her dance rehearsal in New York. The phone call reveals that Makarand played by Darshan Zariwala who was her dance teacher, her guru, is dying and she must return to Shamli town. Shamli is the town where she grew up, the town where she learnt to live and to dance. This is also the town from where she left on an impulse, breaking up ties with her parents and her people. It is a poignant and troubled return for someone who eloped from Shamli with a foreigner and settled in the US, Dia doesn`t enjoy good reputation among the inhabitants of this small town. Her decision of marrying that American also forced her parents to leave their traditional town in shame. At present she is divorced and has an eight years old daughter as well. When she reaches Shamli she finds everything has changed. Her dance school Ajanta is about to be razed down by people in powerful positions and they includes an MP called Raja saheb played by Akshaye Khanna and a businessman named Faroukh played by Irrfan Khan. Both of them want to build a shopping mall in the place of Ajanta. Dia intends to raise Ajanta and bring back the culture of dance and theatre in Shamli. But for this she would have to win over the people of the town, which by no means is an easy task. She loves the theatre as her home. Ajanta theatre, the once vibrant hub of the community, the place where Dia`s fondest memories are embedded must now be brought down because the local political authorities feel it a waste of prime real estate.
Dia was in real dilemma as what to do with the matter and finally she decides to fight with the situation and save the culture. With the help of Doctor played by Raghubir Yadav who is the caretaker of Ajanta, Dia sets out on a mission to prevent the destruction. In an atmosphere of mistrust, ridicule and active hostility, Dia takes a dare and agrees to achieve the near impossible task of putting together a theatrical production. She must also ensure that every member of the production is from Shamli town. She has only two months to prove her point or the bulldozers will be waiting. She also meets Raja Saheb and gives him the open challenge of two months.
In this context begins her tumultuous journey of dealing with small town prejudices, encountering the resentment of the powerful contractor, the pessimism of the local political powers, resolve the delicate tensions of inter personal relationships and rally her motley team of non starters. The team includes a low level muscle Imran played by Kunal Kapoor, the local girl Anokhi played by Konkona SenSharma, local ex-MLA Chaudhary Om Singh played by Akhilendra Mishra, a vulnerable tea stall owner Mohan Sharma played by Ranvir Shorey, a responsible government official Mr. Chojar played by Vinay Pathak, a struggling insurance agent Sanjeev Mehta played by Jugal Hansraj, the town vagabond Dhankuber played by Nowaz and a host of others. She arranges the timeless romantic tale of Laila and Majnu to stage after two months. After many drawbacks she finally finishes rehearsals and gets ready for the show. The main point for Dia was to use and energize the long-dormant locals to love and embrace the arts, and to remind them to reflect on their inner beauty and passion. She believes art is the soul of any society and she just wanted to send the message to the habitants of this small town Shamli. The show takes the atmosphere somewhere else when the drama was going on. Ultimately Raja Saheb and Faroukh understand the importance of cultural place and they walk out of the project of making shopping mall. Dia goes back to US but promises them to come next year. The scenario of the town has changed and now everyone is inclined to cultural activities.
Cast and crew of Aaja Nachle
The star cast of the film includes Madhri Dixit, Kunal Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma, Akshaye Khanna, Divya Dutta, Ranvir Shorey, Raghubir Yadav, Vinay Pathak, Akhilendra Mishra, Jugal Hansraj, Sushmita Mukherjee, Irrfan Khan, Darshan Zariwala, etc. The Bollywood movie `Aaja Nachle` is directed by Anil Mehta and produced by Aditya Chopra, the dialogues are written by Jaideep Sahni. Cinematographer of the film is Mohanan while choreography is done by Vaibhavi Merchant.