The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : A thriller sans suspense element

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Sunday, Dec 07, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

A thriller sans suspense element

Film: Maharathi

Starcast: Paresh Rawal, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri Boman Irani, Neha Dupia

Direction: Shivam Nair

Amidst the spurt of comedies, Bollywood has almost forgotten the thriller genre. Here it comes with lots of promise, brings us to the edge of the seat but ultimately fails to hold us there.

The problem crops from the source of the script, which is an adaptation of Paresh Rawal’s popular Gujarati play. Apparently director Shivam Nair has religiously followed the play and with it the elements which make cinema theatrical. Paresh, in the lead role, seems a bit out of place but as the plot unfolds he plays the conman with tremendous gusto and nuances. Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri aren’t challenged much and Boman Irani once again proves that he is a dynamite when restrained. Indian actresses have the privilege to learn on job and Neha Dhupia is no different.

Finally, she is learning! Here some of the aura of the stalwarts has rubbed off on her and she is up to the mark as the young wife of a bankrupt eccentric aged film producer (Naseer). The wife has an eye on the insurance money of the producer. Before she gets her act together, the producer tells her that if he commits suicide, she won’t get anything.

And he simply does the unthinkable. Now it is left to her and our good old conman to turn a suicide into murder. The plot is riveting, performances are matching, it is just the treatment that keeps “Maharathi” away from crossing the final frontier. Still not a bad idea!

A.K.

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