Company (2002)
Starring: Ajay Devgun, Manisha Koirala, Vivek Oberoi
Director: Ram Gopal Verma
Music Director: Sandeep Chowta
Synopsis: "Based on fact" thriller is a top-notch expose of the underworld - thrilling!
Reviewed by: Faiz Khan

 

Ram Gopal Verma once again treads familiar territory with Company, another excursion into the world of organised crime. Whereas Satya possessed an earthy realism, concentrating on the common man drawn into the underworld almost against his will, Company shifts its attention to those operating at the very top of the criminal hierarchy.

Malik Bhai (Ajay Devgn) is the indispensable lieutenant of ageing crime lord Aslam Bhai. Old and physically frail, Aslam nevertheless commands enormous respect, relying increasingly upon Malik to oversee the day-to-day running of his criminal empire. As Malik's influence grows, so too does his ambition, and he recruits the streetwise but inexperienced Chandu (Vivek Oberoi), recognising in him the potential to become a formidable lieutenant.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Srinivasan (Mohanlal), transferred from the IPS to tackle Mumbai's spiralling crime problem, begins methodically gathering evidence in an attempt to bring Malik's organisation to justice.

Thanks to a leak within the corrupt police force, Malik and Chandu narrowly evade capture and escape to Hong Kong with their respective partners (Manisha Koirala and Antara Mali) in tow.

Distance, however, proves no obstacle to organised crime.

Armed with little more than a handful of mobile phones, the syndicate continues to conduct its business almost as efficiently as before.

Malik is a man who allows no emotion whatsoever to interfere with business.

Business is business.

Nothing else matters.

When Chandu is instructed to assassinate a government minister, he abandons the operation after discovering the intended victim is accompanied by his two young children. Furious at such sentimentality, Malik immediately orders the assassination to proceed and sharply reprimands Chandu for questioning his authority.

The inevitable split follows.

As tensions escalate, Chandu accidentally kills Malik's trusted lieutenant Pandit (Akash Khurana), plunging the former partners into an all-out gang war in which each vows to destroy the other.

Ram Gopal Verma delivers an electrifying portrait of the modern underworld, combining striking visuals with Sandeep Chowta's pulsating score to create an atmosphere of constant menace. Images of extortion, murder, fear and ruthless violence flash across the screen with relentless momentum, while beneath the surface lies a powerful sense of tragedy. Crime here is not glamourised but presented as another manifestation of the corruption that has seeped into every layer of society.

The result is both shocking and deeply saddening as the story moves inexorably towards its explosive—and genuinely unexpected—conclusion.

Ajay Devgn underplays the role of Malik superbly. Although his character is less overtly dramatic than Chandu, he delivers what must rank among the finest performances of his career.

Manisha Koirala has comparatively little to do, yet brings warmth, dignity and restraint to a role that could easily have descended into cliché.

Vivek Oberoi announces himself with an explosive debut. Possessing remarkable screen presence and an effortless naturalness before the camera, he completely inhabits the role of Chandu and delivers a performance of tremendous confidence and conviction.

Antara Mali is also excellent in her brief appearance.

Sandeep Chowta's music complements the mood of the film perfectly, enhancing rather than overwhelming the action.

Company is a mesmerising piece of filmmaking and, quite simply, better than anything else currently showing in our cinemas.