Murder

Okay, I don't know what's the big deal about a film which revolves around the story of an unfaithful wife. I do understand that a film with so many kissing scenes is not something Hindi filmgoers are used to, but it's hardly the erotic film some called it although there are some erotic scenes. In its defense, the film is shot pretty aesthetically and generally it's a very good technical work. Of course, like many Mahesh Bhatt-produced films which just seek to create buzz to attract more viewers, the use of love scenes in this one is similarly made for purely sensationalist reasons rather than art, but it works and makes it refreshingly enjoyable so why not use it.

The film has been described as a remake of Unfaithful, but I see more similarity with the 1962 classic Gumrah, which has been remade into several, lesser good remakes such as Bewafa in 2005. Anyhow, the film is really enjoyable - as a thriller, as a story, and basically as entertainment. The highly attractive leading lady Mallika Sherawat became quite an unusual star and sex symbol following this film, and it's easy to see why because she really is sizzling here. The film has nice music by Anu Malik, and the film develops pretty well, and by the end it even accumulates enough substance to conclude on a predictable note basically. Nothing great but quite a fun watch.

Another adult thriller successfully wins over the masses. Mallika's loneliness was very well depicted with the story taking place in a foreign land with no friends and people who speak an incomprehensible language. Malika's dialogue of how a married woman's loneliness is a hundred times worse than a single lady's loneliness, of how she slept with a stranger (her husband) every night, really struck a chord. Ashmit Patel didn't have much of a role but did a good job in whatever he did do. Mallika's romantic interest wasn't that impressive. Songs are outstanding! "Bheege Hont" is a mesmerizing romantic track, and "Kaho Na Kaho" is a captivating track that is definitely my new favorite song. Groovy beats, melodic rhythm, good intertwining of Arabic language, and an overall haunting melody make this song addictive. The story mainly picks up in the second half and is quite unpredictable. Mallika may be the new sex symbol, but she is definitely not a quality actress. Her dialogue delivery in the movie was absolutely pathetic as were her acting skills.

This is one of Bollywoods better productions filmed interiors in Bombay and exteriors in Thailand.

The film was done by a new Bollywood director hat despite health challenges he overcame, he has made another great film, Gangster.

The film is a Hindi copy of Unfaithful but is really redone to appeal to Indian sensibilities. But I found that it appeals to everyone with its great sense of music and style.

I really enjoyed the lounge song performed by Kashmera Shah.

In today's Bollywood most item songs are getting sleazy. This one is classy and shows this girl is not only beautiful but can also act the dance not just dance and lip sync. I can't wait to see her next film!

Overall great film, highly recommended for first time Bollywood fan. music is fantastic! Go Kashmira!

Murder review :

The Hollywood film Unfaithful was a highly successful erotic thriller which did decent business in Indian cities as well. The plot involving a married lady who has an affair and how it seriously impairs her marital relationship won accolades globally particularly Diane Lane's sterling performance.

It wasnt going to be long before Bollywood would get "inspired" from this film and soon enough, Mahesh Bhatt wrote and produced Murder (2004) starring Mallika Sherawat and Emran Hashmi adding his own dose of melodrama and song and dance routine. Quite a few scenes from Unfaithful were copied as is. The formula worked as Murder was lapped up big time by the Indian audience and became one of the highest grossers of 2004. It transformed Mallika in to an overnight sensation and Emran Hashmi became a serial kisser for many years. Interestingly, both Unfaithful and Murder were released at the New Empire cinema in Mumbai.

I had seen Murder at Citylight cinema, Mahim where it ran to packed house for many weeks. Hawas wasn't released in my area so I rented its VCD. Both the Hindi films evoked quite a controversy in that year.

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

This is another excellent piece of work by Anurag Basu, who is following the footsteps of Vidu Vinod Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Mahesh Bhatt of post-Saransh era. I guess, you know what I am saying!

I wanted to give this movie a score of 7/10, as it disappointed me a bit initially, in that acting here is better than that in Hawas. However, as long as, everyone -- from the police inspector to the dentist's assistant in a foreign country -- is somehow Indian and speaks Hindi, I cannot rate it a mere 7/10. Add to that the wooden and constipated look of the Hashmi fella, and there is no way one can rate it anything less that 10/10.

Great movie. Highly recommended (though in my book, Hawas is the better of these two, as Hawas is more entertaining, with absolute lack of acting capabilities or diction).