Samson Francis

I don't like writing any reviews. But after seeing the movie and then reading the bad reviews in The Hindu, and in The Indian Express - I was so disappointed with these critics who need to keep their jobs to run their families, that I decided to write this review. So, please don't believe these critics (of course, they too can have their opinions even if they are so wide off the mark). I am normally fed up with the masala movies. I thought this too was a masala movie, but when Amitabh Bachchan praised the entire cast's acting and singled out Kunal Kemmu's acting, I thought I'd just sneak in and watch a few minutes. It was so enjoyable that I watched it till the end. All the characters are fully fleshed out and the narrative sticks close to the plot, except for a stupid song. Rajesh Krishnan's direction is top drawer. The plot is credible and funny. Kunal's role as a pushover, who is timid with everyone around him is well done except sometimes it feels that whenever he gets startled (and that is quite a few times) - he tends to overdo it just a wee bit. Despite that, I think Kunal is a damn good actor. Rasika Duggal even though she is no eye-candy, emotes very well. Vijay Raaz underplays his amusingly comic role of a local don to a tee. Ranvir Shorey plays a cop - a role that is quite different from what he has done so far. Gajraj role as a politician looks sometimes like a caricature of various politicians. Shashi Ranjan as Abdul the gangster is a revelation - his facial expressions that flit between anxiety and relief when he is faced with his political master's wrath - is a masterclass. All in all a great movie. Watching it was time well spent.