Review: Things begin to happen in Yudh, Week 4

Yudh is weighed down now in its final stretch just because of how slowly it initially moved, writes Raja Sen.

Finally, a decently engaging set of episodes.

So what if they’re completely illogical and made with exasperating amateurishness?

We should know those hallmarks of Yudh by now. But at least here, close to the climax, the show seems to have shaken off its sluggishness.

That must be a good thing, right?

Well, kinda.

Because while the show isn’t as deathly boring as when it started out, there are a few fundamental problems we’re forced to face even more acutely as the pace picks up.

The primary issue is that Yudh, played by Amitabh Bachchan himself, is too uninspiring a protagonist.

We’re in the home stretch, and he’s still a weak, oft-confused old man constantly looking to his consiglieri Anand for advice.

Anand, played by Zakir Hussain, is jailed briefly, and this forces Yudh to actually *do* things, but even here Anand is the one doing all the thinking. Bachchan has a couple of take-charge moments, but he mostly appears weak. This is one of the show’s major problems: a hero wallowing in his abject helplessness.

A big-budget show with delusions of American cable goodness, Yudh is weighed down now in its final stretch just because of how slowly it initially moved. The narratives now appear too rushed, too convenient, too easily falling into place. Still, for the most part, the increased pace is a good thing.

But the lack of logic continues to puzzle.

Taruni, Yudh’s daughter, is told by her stepfather to sever all ties with Yudh because he, as man investigating Yudh, should not be seen to have any partiality toward the subject. Um, how about the fact that you’re investigating someone who used to be married to your wife, pal? It’s bizarre to consider anybody actually okaying these scripts.

And the stepdad’s motivations are noble.

He’s seeing evidence mount up against Yudh and, realising this is a frame-up, wants to try to save Yudh. Similarly a cop, despite finding proof against Anand, believes he should be given the benefit of the doubt. It’s all wonderfully convenient -- and the only way the show can impress next week in its finale is if it reveals that Yudh has indeed been evil all along.

A bad man very good at crying. Now that would be a twist.

For now, despite Bachchan’s performance, he seems just a silly man.

A silly hallucinating man who asks his doctor daughter to operate on his wife during an emergency. Taruni, who isn’t equipped for that kind of procedure, refuses, but Yudh insists she do it. Because he trusts her. She’s scared -- and we don’t blame her.

But Yudh sobs loudly enough to get his way. Hang on, is that the real story then? The fall of an emotional manipulator who knows how to get things done?

Aargh. Right now I just wish Taruni would operate on my cable connection.

Rediff Rating: