Is Deshwasi Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1991)

📖 The Core Premise

Deshwasi stands as a 1991 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Action, Crime, Drama landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Unhappy with India's independence from the British, Raja Shamsher Singh and his goons, initially attempt to put their candidate, Shishupal, up for elections. But when opposed by Sangram Singh, they have him killed, and blame Pratap Singh. Sangram's wife, Bharati, rebels, becomes a bandit, and sends her son, Shakti, to Bombay so that he can study and return back to Ramgarh to oppose the tyrannical Shamsher, and have Pratap killed. Years later Shakti does return back but Bharati does not know that he has an hidden agenda - which does not include seeking vengeance from Pratap or Shamsher."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Deshwasi, even the presence of Tom Alter struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Action. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Deshwasi worth your time? If you appreciate Action, Crime, Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Deshwasi misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 145 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.