Rating : 8/10
Running Time : ~100 Minutes
Release Date : 5th September ‘08
Director & Writer : Neeraj Pandey; Music : Sanjoy Chowdhury
Starring : Anupam Kher, Naseeruddin Shah, Jimmy Sheirgill, Aamir Bashir, Deepal Shaw
I don’t think I’ve smiled so broadly after watching a non-comedy for ages. Sadly, I don’t think this is going to set the box-office alight (due to the lack of a bankable star) but it surely lit up my world and I’m going to recommend it to everyone.
A man (Naseeruddin Shah) calls up the police HQ, speaks to the Comissioner of Police (Anupam Kher) and advises him that he has planted 5 bombs across Mumbai and will detonate them until his demands are met. The only demand he makes is that four known terrorists are gathered together. All the cops, their intelligence, the Chief Minister etc are not able to trace this person or get any information about him. What does he do next ? Who will win, this unknown person who has been planning his act for sometime or the wily commissioner, who has all the resources of the state at his disposal ?
The movie doesn’t really start till about the fortieth minute mark, just plods along till then. But then once it begins, it manages to keep the tension alive very nicely. I haven’t seen too many hindi movies with a central control room or a good cop and bad cop routine (ably played by Aamir and Jimmy respectively) and this one pulls off both quite nicely. Also, it thankfully remains focused on the plot and doesn’t deviate for any item songs or normal songs or romantic interludes. There are several nice touches as well – the CM’s exclamation, ‘He Parmeswara’, when informed about the crisis. The whole ‘Electric Baba’ thing. Or the way the terrorists identify themselves to Naseer (will let you find that out for yourself) or the way the director litters a few red herrings around. Great acting by everyone, great editing and camera work and very well put together. 
I’ve had similar thoughts as the film’s lead character a few times. Maybe not as drastic but getting there, give me time, this film has merely watered a germinating seed. I would love to talk more, expound on what I’m feeling but am forcing myself to desist. This is one of the pleasures of being a reviewer, the ability to introduce a rare, hidden gem to the audience. Please see it before you find out how it ends.
Hi Apurv , I find your comments more or less matching with mine though I differ with your review on Wanted.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if there is a facility of movie title search on your blog and cross comparison between movies
I think my next movie is going to be A Wednesday
hi ! there is one at the top left - just type the movie title and press search blog
ReplyDeletei wanted to see this one wen i saw the trailer....now reading your review makes it a must watch movie..
ReplyDeleteHi Apurv,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your views about A Wednesday. I haven't seen such a movie for long time. Acting by the both the legends (Nasir and Anupam) is unmatchable.
A Wednesday
ReplyDeleteTo start with people have been raving about this film and to all of what they say we have Anupam Kher & Naseeruddin Shah (the lead actors) with a history of good films so I went in expecting a film that will keep me on the edge with great intrigue …
I must say at this point I was not completely disappointment, I guess with a cast like Anupam & Naseer you cant go fully wrong I also loved Jimmy Sheirgill & Aamir Bashir I did however find deepal annoying from time to time. So what went wrong with the film in my opinion? Well for starters, I don’t know if the director and the scriptwriter intended this film to be a serious film or a comedy? Humor is a very powerful tool, it requires good timing and when used properly it can bring in a lasting effect of appreciation, but when forced it does what it did to Wednesday, it kills the plot, the tempo and the intensity of the scene.
There was very detailing that went into this film and some of the dialogues!!! The very preachy and chest thumping attitude of patriotism???
Well this is what I think!!! But I loved Rock On!!
:)
sorry i missed out a word in my comment
ReplyDeleteThere was very little detailing that went into this film .....
Agree so much with you on this review...saw it last weekend and loved it...in fact I put up a small review on my page just this morning and then thought of checking out how u felt abt it :-)
ReplyDeleteMixed reviews from ppl who watched was in a dilemma and did not have the time to check ur review or rather my comp has blocked all the blog sites hence using data card is a cumbersome task :).. After I read the review i am all set to watch it. Thanks, Bee
ReplyDelete