Not a scary /painful experience, neither a heady concoction. Just an entertainer.
Shaitan is the best film I have seen in a long time, NOT. For that matter, neither is the plot edge-of-the-seat stuff that keeps you hooked on from the start to finish. In terms of an approach or treatment too, it has nothing fresh to offer. For Indian Cinema has been introduced to this RAW, EDGY, HEADY and irreverent style by the same school of filmmakers. There are flaws in this film all right. But what is new in the film is the attitude. It is in-your-face and unapologetic about it, much like the bunch of friends in this movie. While the film does not aim to work on multiple levels, that actually might be the good thing about it. The film’s ‘what you see is what you get’ treatment is brilliant and does not sympathise or empathise or is not even biased towards any particular character and leaves it to the viewers judgement. No mind games here.
The plot does not shock you at any point of time and you can sure predict what happens next. It actually is well-stitched using the several kidnapping and teen murder stories we have read about in the news over the last 2-3 years. The movie begins with the introduction to the multiple characters in the movie with just the right amount of time spent in building each character. As the story unfolds, it completely immerses you in this new world revolving around the 5 friends. Most belonging to the ‘born post 1980’ generation will identify with the madness shown on screen, for most of them would have lived the same in different measures. As the movie moves on from the rich, bratty, urbane settings to the dark bylanes of Mumbai which are narrow, the plot sure grows thick. The good thing is the pace of the movie is quick and there are very few, if any, dull moments in the film. The direction is good and the entire story is well narrated. However, the director does fall into the trap of building unnecessary sub-plots and the editing could have been crisper.
The run and chase sequences in stingy bylanes, the cop and informer repartee, the bratty kid and sermon filled parents are all what we have seen on screen before; good news is these are well played out and hence are bearable. But what is welcoming are the sequences of the kidnapping being planned and executed, the Rajat Barmecha flashback in a flashback, the action filled moments with Khoya Khoya Chand as the background score.
The Music of the film is brilliant and sets the mood for the film. None of the tracks feel alien and the sound of the film is fresh and fantastic. The highpoint of the film is the camerawork and the cinematographer R.Madhi captures the settings aptly, that give the movie its Edgy, on-the-move, restless look. The casting for the movie is perfect and the freshness that each of these actors brings to this movie is well received.
Performances by Kalki, Neil, Kriti, Shiv and Gulshan are note-worthy. But what does not come as a surprise and you keep questioning why filmmakers don’t use him more, is when you see Rajeev Khandelwal on screen. He knows his job well and in doing it, gives you enough reasons to believe in his talent. Though there is the danger of getting type-casted and it will be good to see him doing more and different kinds of roles. As for Nambiar, this is a well made film and a good first attempt at that. He delivers one of the better movies that we will see this year. Quirky and full of attitude.
All in all it is an interesting piece of work and completely worth every rupee you spend. Yet, it is not what it is projected to be – RAW, unfinished, grey, hard-hitting cinema. It does try in giving you a similar experience but in a more commercial way. Just like the ethnic restaurants in malls, you enjoy it alright, but you sure know it is not the real deal.
Rating: 3/5
P.S, rather don’t miss:
- The surprisingly good Nikhil Chinappa (somebody give him more acting opportunities)
- Dhamaakedaar Dialoguebaazi by Pawan Malhotra to a ‘recovering-from-injuries-inspector’ played by Raj Kumar Yadav asking him to get used to the ward he is admitted in, because he will be sent in there one more time.
- Rajat Barmecha delivers and how, in the little screen time his character is apportioned.
