Indian movies

Whodunits and suspense sagas sound interesting on paper, but not every film-maker can translate them with panache on celluloid. The year 2007 has witnessed a number of suspense thrillers hit the Indian screen, like RED - THE DARK SIDE, RAQEEB, THE TRAIN, NAQAAB, AGGAR and MANORAMA SIX FEET UNDER, but a majority of them sank faster than Titanic because the suspense in the end didn't measure up to the expectations.

JOHNNY GADDAAR, directed by Sriram Raghavan, belongs to a different variety of thrillers altogether. In JOHNNY GADDAAR, the viewer knows, at the very outset, who the actual gaddaar is, but his partners-in-crime don't. The gaddaar accidentally ends up eliminating every one in his gang. Just when you think that the gaddaar has removed the obstacles from his path, a gun shot is fired again… there's yet another twist in the tale.

Sriram Raghavan compels viewers to use their mind as layer after layer is peeled off, like the late Vijay Anand pulled it off with élan in TEESRI MANZIL and more particularly, in JEWEL THIEF.

JOHNNY GADDAAR borrows from James Hadley Chase novels and a vital scene from the yesteryear Big B - Navin Nischol starrer PARWANA [the film-maker doesn't conceal his inspirations]. Well crafted with some great moments, JOHNNY GADDAAR is not just style, but substance as well.

With EK HASINA THI, his directorial debut, Raghavan proved that he's a remarkable storyteller. With JOHNNY GADDAAR, there's no stopping this adroit storyteller. Without a shred of doubt, JOHNNY GADDAAR is one of the finest thrillers to hit the marquee in 2007. We've had enough of laughs, it's time to have a chill down your spine.

The story starts with one of the gang members Seshadri [Dharmendra] getting an offer to make a fortune in four days. All the gang members [they're five in all] are up for it as this is the deal that will catapult them into the big league.

The youngest member of the gang Vikram [Neil Nitin Mukesh] plans to disappear to some unknown city and start his own life with his love Mini [Rimi Sen], when a devilish thought crosses his mind. What if he grabs the entire jackpot? Vikram decides to double cross his partners.

Come to think of it, JOHNNY GADDAAR is not one of those desi thrillers film-makers have visited time and again. The beauty lies in the fact that no one can predict what's in store next. Just when you think that the film would head left, it goes right, catching you completely unawares. And Raghavan continues to shock and startle you till the last frame.

The casting adds to the experience. Although JOHNNY GADDAAR revolves around five men and one woman, a few more characters are injected in the narrative, but not once do the goings-on get confusing. Under normal circumstances, the inclusion of characters only results in things getting messier and chaotic. Not here!

One would be doing gross injustice if one were to pinpoint any particular sequence that leaves an impact in this 16 reeler, but, yes, every murder that takes place remains etched in your memory even after the show has concluded. Any roadblocks? Just one! The second half could've been shorter. Also, the slow pacing acts as a deterrent.

JOHNNY GADDAAR is a songless film [except for one song in the pre-climax, but the story only moves forward in this track] and that works to the advantage. There're no distractions, no deviations, no sub-plots that get jarring… thankfully. Yet, Raghavan should've used the popular track 'Doobja Mere Pyaar Mein' [filmed on music composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Hard Kaur] in the end credits. Cinematography is superb. The screenplay and dialogues are both flawless.

Now to the performances! Neil Nitin Mukesh is a discovery in the true sense. Sure, he resembles Hrithik Roshan in looks, but he's a complete natural when it comes to acting. Raghavan does take a big risk by placing the story on his shoulders, but the youngster carries off the part with dexterity. There's just one word to describe his performance -- superb!

Dharmendra is in top form. METRO, APNE and now JOHNNY GADDAAR, 2007 is yet another turning point in his career. Vinay Pathak continues to cement his status with every release. He's excellent. Zakir Hussain is fantastic. It's yet another superior performance from this supremely talented actor. Daya Shetty [who's thrown off the train] does well.

Rimi Sen springs a pleasant surprise. She enacts a complex role with complete understanding. Ashwini Kalsekar [Vinay Pathak's wife] is exceptional. What a tremendous actress! Govind Namdeo is first-rate. Rasika Joshi [Daya Shetty's mother] is remarkable.

On the whole, JOHNNY GADDAAR is a taut thriller that has the germs to catch up with the audience. At the box-office, its business at multiplexes will be the best. Lack of a major opposition coupled with an additional holiday on Tuesday [October 2 - Gandhi Jayanti] would prove to be a bonus!

With SHRADDHANJALI, his directorial debut, Anil Sharma proved that he could make you moist-eyed. With HUKUMAT, he proved that he could pull off a vendetta fare with gusto. With GADAR, he proved he could handle a love story with two neighboring countries as the backdrop with remarkable ease.

APNE, his new endeavor, is all about familial bonding. In a way, the storyteller goes back to his roots in his new outing -- emotions.

APNE casts a father [Dharmendra] and his two real-life sons [Sunny, Bobby] in roles that suit their personalities. Besides, the backdrop of boxing makes the conflict in the story look convincing.

APNE is rich in emotions and a number of sequences, especially those between Dharmendra and Sunny, are electrifying. Also, the boxing matches [Chris Anderson] are pulse-pounding and you clench your fists tightly due to the tension that's depicted on screen.

But APNE has its share of shortcomings as well. Ideally, the film should've had a concise format of 2.15 hours, instead of 2.54 hours. Besides, the screenplay, although tight at most times, succumbs to mediocrity at places. Music too is another aspect that should've had a lingering effect, since it's not everyday that the three Deols come together.

To sum up, APNE is desi at heart and holds appeal for those who swear by desi flicks. A worthy effort nonetheless!

Baldev Singh Choudhary [Dharmendra] won a silver medal in the Olympics and made India proud. His only dream was to make history by becoming India's first World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. But sometimes dreams get shattered before they can be realized.

When in the U.S., fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship, the betting mafia conspires against him and gets doping charges leveled against him, which gets him banned from boxing.

For an athlete nothing can be worse than doping charges. Baldev wants to get rid of this stigma and pain by training his elder son Angad [Sunny Deol] in the sport of boxing and make him a World Heavyweight Champion and create history which eluded him.

But Angad has some other dreams, other aspirations, other commitments… Karan [Bobby Deol], the younger son, a musician, in spite of wanting to fulfill his father's dreams, is helpless. But the story takes a turn when Karan decides to live his father's dream. The situation spirals out of hand subsequently…

APNE grips you gradually. Anil Sharma and writer Neeraj Pathak open the cards at the very outset. The uneasy relationship shared by the father and son [Dharmendra, Sunny], Dharmendra's failed ambition, the turning point in the tale [when Bobby steps in to fulfill his father's dreams] make the goings-on watchable. The narrative only gets absorbing when the focus shifts to the boxing ring and the opponent [Luca] steps into the picture.

But there's a flip side too. The choreography of these sequences [in the boxing ring] is so real that it can be off-putting as well, especially for the faint-hearted. Also, the climax is well crafted, but, ideally, it should've ended when Sunny overpowers the opponent. The subsequent portions [Bobby's liver problem] only add to the excessive length.

Director Anil Sharma handles the emotional sequences brilliantly. In fact, a number of scenes bear the stamp of a solid storyteller. The screenplay [Neeraj Pathak] is taut, except for a few loose ends. Himesh Reshammiya's music is a complete letdown. Barring the title track, the remaining songs are uninspiring. Kabir Lal's cinematography is topnotch. The lush green fields and locales of North India give the film a rich texture.

APNE belongs to Dharmendra. No two opinions on that. The veteran roars like never before and proves yet again that he's a magnificent actor. Sunny is first-rate. Bobby is alright, but the one complaint that you hold against him is, why didn't he work on his physique when he accepted this role? If he's playing a boxer, he can't afford to show his flabby chest and stomach.

The leading ladies don't have much to do. Shilpa at least gets a few scenes, while Katrina is there to flutter her eyelashes only. Kirron Kher is superb yet again. In fact, she has a far meatier role than the two ladies. Divya Dutta is wasted. Victor Banerjee is natural. Jawed Sheikh gets minimal scope. Aryan Vaid is alright. Luca is excellent.

On the whole, APNE is rich in emotions and has the potential to strike a chord with families. Those who love emotional fares are bound to take a liking for its theme. At the box-office, it has the power to grow with a strong word of mouth. Business in North India will be the best. However, trimming the film will only elevate its status.

Apne…is the story of a family…their relationship and their dreams…a father and his sons, each have their own desires…aspirations…and hopes…

Baldev Singh Choudhary (Dharmendra) won a silver medal in the Olympics and made India proud. His only dream was to make history by becoming India’s first World Heavy weight Champion. But sometimes dreams shatter before they can be realized and make the heart bleed forever…the same fate awaited Baldev.

When in the US fighting for the World Heavy Weight Championship, the betting mafia conspired against him and got doping charges leveled against him, which got him banned from Boxing.

For an athlete nothing can be worse then doping charges. He wanted to get rid of this stigma and pain by training his elder son Angad (Sunny Deol) in the sport of boxing and make him a World Heavyweight Champion and create history which eluded him, but…

Angad had some other dreams…some other aspirations…some other commitments… Karan (Bobby Deol), the younger son, a musician at par, inspite of wanting to fulfill his father’s dreams was helpless. What was this helplessness?

Inspite of loving and living for each other why were these two sons not able to work along with each other to achieve their father’s dream?

Will they ever succeed?

Will Baldev’s dream ever be achieved or will it die along with him?

As he has decided to end his life today………………..