- Parul Batra

Nayak- The Real Hero, this time around in a corrupt politician's world. Shankar, A R Rathnam and Anil Kapoor collaborate to bring Nayak which portrays how someone with a lot of courage, honesty and willingness to do good for the people can make a difference.

The film takes off with Shivaji Rao (Anil Kapoor), a reporter, interviewing Chief Minister Balraj Chauhan (Amrish Puri). During the course of the interview, Shivaji showers the Chief Minister with stinging questions about the (mis) management of the state. In presenting his own case, Balraj asks Shivaji to step into his shoes for just one day and see how tough a job he has. Shivaji willingly accepts to the astonishment of Chauhan.

What ensues is an honest effort on the part of the reporter Shivaji Rao to understand the problems people face and solve them instantaneously. People reach out to Shivaji Rao from all walks of life. His search for truth and accountability to the people results in the sacking of all the corrupt public servants. With very little time left on his one day term to expire, Shivaji attacks corruption in politics and gets all the corrupt ministers arrested including the Ex-chief minister Balraj Chauhan. What follows is a re-election and Shivaji officially becomes the chief-minister. Ambrish Puri returns to his often-played villainy and plans revenge against Anil Kapoor. Manjari (Rani Mukherji) plays Shivaji's love life and provides the usual songs and dance sequences.

The music of Nayak has been done by A R Rahman. The title song of the movie Chalo Chalo Mitwa, is a medium paced song sung by Kavita Krishnamurti and Udit Narayan. Chalo Chale Purva is another version of the same song. The foot tapping and racy Ruki Sukhi Roti with some lively singing by Shankar Mahadevan and Alka Yagnik lends the otherwise mundane music a certain degree of credibility. Picturised on Sushmita Sen (in a special appearance), Shakalaka baby is already hitting the charts. However, one expected better fare from Rahman.

Rani Mukherjee looks very fresh in costumes designed by Manish Malhotra, but she is wasted in the film. Anil Kapoor's tries hard to live up to the character. However, Paresh Rawal steals the show with an outstanding performance.

Although the cinematography is good and the sets are imaginative, the movie leaves one a little disappointed. The second half is very lengthy and can do with trimming.

All in all, Nayak may pull in the crowds initially because of its star value but the moot question is - will it survive?