Wanted

Rating : 6/10
Release Date : 18th Sep, 2009
Time : 150 minutes
Director : Prabhudheva; Writer : Puri Jagannath, Shiraz Ahmed; Music : Sajid-Wajid
Starring : Salman Khan, Ayesha Takia, Vinod Khanna, Prakash Raj, Mahesh Manjrekar, Govind Namdeo
This is a film that’s refreshingly reasonably clear about what its about…lot of action (fights / murders), Salman Khan, a romantic angle and lots of tapori type humour. For that reason alone its good. The fact that it focuses even more – keeps Salman from doing emotional scenes and keeps him mostly monosyllabic, concentrates on just his action and humour, gets it bonus points.



A new D.I.G. in town (good cameo by Govind Namdeo), takes on the underworld and tries to break the two rival gangs run by Gani Bhai (very good role by the extremely talented South Indian actor, Prakash Raj) and Datta Pawle. Salman works first for one and then switches to the other, having no loyalty to anyone but money. He bumps into Ayesha Takia one day and then continues to meet her, first by chance and then later intentionally. How his romantic liaisons, the underworld gangs, the D.I.G. and a corrupt cop (excellent cameo by Mahesh Manjrekar), all come together is what the film is about.


I would’ve probably shaved off a few minutes from the film, eliminated some of the gore, at least 2-3 songs (there were unnecessary song sequences shot in Cyprus and Santorini), reduced some of the romance and sharpened the end – was a bit tame, not really the high point of the film…

But the film works because it knows what its about and doesn’t try to be anything else. The humour is actually quite good, a few laugh out loud sequences / moments including the ‘Vicco Vajradanti’ one, the few ‘Mughal-E-Azam’ shots in the beginning, Manoj Pahwa’s cameo as Ayesha’s landlord, Salman’s wisecracks…quite good overall. Salman was good – the role suits him, and he’s done well, playing within his limitations as an actor. He looks a bit awkward when he’s running but I’m probably just carping. Ayesha was good as well, but the show was kind of stolen by Mahesh and Prakash amongst the non-Salman actors.

There was also a moment which touched me – I think it was just me, the frame of mind I was in, not really intended by the film makers. There was a scene where some cops are killed in the line of duty and are being given a state burial…it just struck me how such honest cops are killed nearly everyday in real life and for most of us, they are mere statistics. Cops, armed service men, firemen etc. Who lay their lives on the line for us. Yet no one really seems to care. Sad. Felt bad while I was watching it and the feeling has lingered.

We’re going to close the review with a quiz question…
When in the film do you think Salman goes totally topless ?
1. Within the first 30 minutes
2. The second 30 minutes
3. Third 30 minutes
4. Last half an hour
5. Not once in the film

The person who doesn’t cheat (ie doesn’t see the film or ask someone who has) but answers correctly will get a prize…