They add that much-needed touch of gravitas to a film that goes resolutely in the opposite direction to Karan Johar’s ‘Student Of The Year’.

While the film contains a collage of competently calibrated performances by some brilliant actors (for example: Chetan Pandit who was last seen as an idealistic schoolteacher in ‘Agneepath’ here slips into a cheesy cop’s role) it is debutante Anjali Patil who leaves the best impression among the supporting cast. A truly worthy successor to the holder of that never-forgotten actress with the same title (Smita).

Chakravyuh does have its unhinged moments when the narrative seems to turn docu-dry. Jha quickly reimposes a sense of ongoing drama and impending catastrophe which keeps the audiences’ heartbeats racing dangerously. The editing (Santosh Mandal) could have been more austere. But the loose moments never overpower the film’s strong convictions and powerful story structure.

Chakravyuh ends with Prakash Jha’s voiceover warning us of growing inequality in the Indian social structure whereby 25 families control a majority of the nation’s wealth while a majority of the people live on 70 rupees per day.

Would the 70-rupee wage-earner be able to afford the 200 rupees required to watch this film? Would his life change? The process of social awakening that started with the cinema of V Shantaram and B R Chopra has come a full circle.

Now if only cinema could change mindsets.

Rating: ****