Rustom

Patriotism or Infidelity, Love for Nation or love for wife.. Was the director confused? So decided to keep both as main ingredients of this Thriller... So whats " Rustom " - Murder Mystery?? But then we know the murderer in first 30 mins.. Is it about " why she did what she did" Its easily given out in first half.. So here it goes- Rustom is a courtroom story of how a naval officer .. Defends himself.. How a judge gets in humour while the trial is on.. How a sister can wear a deep red pout while pleading to convict her brother's killer !! Ileana is overdosed on glycerin .. But so far this is her best.. Esha Gupta hired herself a new designer and she got this platform to show it all.. Otherwise who wears a page 3 outfit to court.. Arjan- nothing great about him.. His acting skills remain where they were.. Akshay... As good as he gets.. He is ageing gracefully and has totally justified his screen space. Songs can be given a pass.. Hats off to the casting director Shruti Mahajan for collecting together a well fitted cast.. Be it the investigating officer or the newspaper head who brought in the humour in n otherwise serious watch.. 👏🏼👏🏼 for you girl!! The story keeps one gripped.. Those who like courtroom drama .. Should watch!!

The film starts with introduction of Mumbai(was Bombay) in 1950's and then a Patriot and a naval Officer Commander Rustom Pavri. They show the love life of Rustom with his wife in the beginning. His life is drastically shook when Rustom comes to know that his wife has an affair with his close friend Vikram Makhija who is a Businessman and a Womanizer(Unknown to Rustom). He shots Vikram dead with 3 bullets in heart, in anger and himself surrenders to police. Vikram's sister cases against Rustom but when he is given benefit to live in Naval custody, he refuses. The media stands with Rustom as he was a honest solider and the public prosecutor and Vikram both were Sindhi while Rustom was Parsi. Then film slowly starts to take turn as offices from Navy search for some special documents in his house, and also by means of bribe. Then Rustom himself defends himself in the court, which is shown mind-blowing(Some comedy, some drama, etc.) After a span of witnesses, defenses, the affair description of Rustom's wife and finally Rustom's explanation to the jury that he shot Vikram in his self defense, when it is clear that he will win, the movie takes a BIG LEAP. The main investigating inspector comes with an audioclip where Rustom seems to be very angry on Vikram and wants to kill. But then the movie takes another turn when the inspector meets him personally. Then Rustom tells that there was a corruption going on in Indian Navy for an aircraft carrier deal, where classified Naval Officers, Vikram and even Defense Minister were involves. They wanted to buy an aircraft carrier that was a piece of junk where high profile corruption was going and Rustom was Inspection officer of that carrier. When Rustom refuses to take bribe from Vikram, his ego is hurt and decides to take revenge from him in the form of the affair. Rustom understands that when he is sent to 6 months assignment, then he bluffs about the documents of inspection of the carrier, and that's the reason he kills Vikram. But at the end he is released by the jury. THE FILM IS A MUST WATCH, ITS A GREAT MOVIE BUT 2 STARS LESS DUE TO SOME DIRECTION GLITCHES. DIRECTION IS GOOD BUT NOT UPTO THE MARK. THE INCIDENTS ARE SOME TIMES IRRELEVANT AND SOME JUMPS. EITHER AN EXCELLENT MOVIE TO WATCH.

Good acting performances with a great body language of all the characters. Could have been formulated better, but with a good intent, it furnishes a decent delivery. Ileana looks very beautiful and she carried that character nicely. Pavan Malhotra as an inspector was bang on, something which is expected from him now. Akshay Kumar was at his usual flawlessness, as he is in these type of roles.

Storyline Rating: 3 Content: 3 Commercialization: 2 Entertainment: 2

Acting Rating: 3 Akshay Kumar: 3 Ileana: 3 Pavan Malhotra: 3 Esha Gupta: 2

Direction Rating: 3

Music Rating: 2

Cinematography: 2

Editing: 4

Though the climax has been smartly fictionalised, this courtroom drama is essentially based on the real life of Naval officer K M Nanavati, who in 1959, shot and killed his wife's lover. The subsequent trial was one of India's most sensational court cases. Coming to the film, Rustom has a cracker of a beginning. Without wasting any time, the director comes straight to the point. He takes us quickly through the circumstances in which Rustom shoots Vikram and the trial begins.

Akshay Kumar is the backbone of Rustom. The Khiladi renders one of the most understated performances of his career, proving yet again that he can play a range of diverse roles with aplomb. He smoothly pulls off his character with utmost ease.

Based on a controversial case, Rustom lacks the unnerving tension one ideally expects from a film of this genre. However, director Tinu Suresh Desai infuses ample melodrama and ups the intrigue. Ileana D'Cruz is perfectly cast and does complete justice to her role. Arjan Bajwa is decent as well. To cut to the chase, Rustom can be watched for its story and most importantly Akshay Kumar, whose action/comic brilliance often overshadows his acting prowess. He reminds you to value the honest officers who serve our country with dignity and valour. He makes you want to support the man who probably did the right thing the wrong way.

I watched Rustom when it aired on Zee TV last evening. I did not expect too much from it based on press reviews even though it had done well at the box office. Was I surprised!

Even though everyone knows this movie is broadly based on the infamous Nanavaty incident, it was well made and riveting till the last scene.

Everyone but everyone essayed their role so well, especially the bawaji newspaper walla :) Akshay could well pass off for aapro Russi!

Rustom is one heck of a slick production, good plot, fabulous period sets, crisp dialogues, superb acting, cinematography par excellence.

This movie holds the interest throughout and the climax keeps you on the edge of your chair even though you very well know what is coming.

Well done Akshay, with Special 26, Holiday, Baby and now Rustom, you have really come well out of the Khiladi mould. Looking forward to more such slick productions.