Bluffmaster!

Bluff Master is a fantastic piece of cinema with just the right amount of emotions, drama, comedy, thrill and about Abhishek Bachchan…yeh dil maange more! The star has finally become the actor with this film! When Abhishek started with his career, he seemed to have teething problems because of the mammoth surname attached to his name. Not only did his screen presence improved tremendously with each and every film, he has also let go off any inhibitions he might have suffered from when he began. If Yuva was the film, which brought him the critical acclaim and Bunty Aur Babli and Sarkar had moments where the son outshone the father, Bluff Master is definitely the film, where Abhishek comes of his own! Produced by Ramesh Sippy (Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Shaan, Saagar, Shakti), Bluff Master is a brilliant piece of writing by Shridhar Raghavan, who is also credited with stories of films like Apharan and Khakee. The editing is razor edged by Amitabh Shukla and never loses its pace. Cinematography by Himman Dhamija is gripping and catches the right hues and colors of what is needed of a comic thriller like Bluff Master. Full marks to director Rohan Sippy (Debut-Dhai Akshar Prem Ke) for his dedication, passion and focus to make a product, which is not just good in few areas but excels in totality. Sippy's hard work shows in not letting the structure of the story fall apart like a pack of cards like the film made on a similar subject- Bunty Aur Babli. The plot is interesting and the climax keeps you on the edge of your seat guessing. The audio cd of the film may not be a collector's item but songs go well as audio- visual pieces choreographed with much punch and fervor in the film. The rap song ' Right Here Right Now' sung by Abhishek Bachchan rocks! The background score does justice to the screenplay. The costumes are carefully designed keeping the profile of each character. Talking of characters, the writer seems to have put extra time and efforts in shaping the characters, whether primary or secondary. The film has quite a few interesting con jobs, which do not strike as odd and on the contrary lends realism to the film and an instant identification with its characters. The dialogues are not rhetoric, and carefully mouthed, again to affirm the honesty with which the film is made. Associating people from different classes with different types of fish was refreshing and innovative work in dialogue writing. There is no unnecessary brooding over Roy (Abhishek) who is a professional at bluffing people as to why and what circumstances led him to join this line, neither does he let himself go ballistic over a vainglory accomplishment he achieves as a bluff master. There is a thin line between a con artist and a bluff master. Roy is a cool dude Bluff Master, lives in a swanky apartment and drives a chic car. Actors Ritesh Deshmukh, Boman Irani, Nana Patekar and Priyanka Chopra did full justice with their roles. The film is well crafted, and distinguishes itself from a buffoonery or slapstick, and is rather a sensible comedy that provides a much- needed comic relief, after absolute nonsense and trash films like Shaadi No. 1, Garam Masala and Home Delivery. Story: Roy (Abhishek Bachchan) is a professional conman, who has raised his work to the level of an art. He loves Simmi (Priyanka Chopra) who is unaware of his dark side. When his past catches up with him, she cannot forgive him for the deceit their relationship is built on and dumps him. That's when Dittu (Ritesh Deshmukh) enters his life. Dittu takes Roy as his mentor and wants to learn the tricks of the trade from him. As circumstances take turn, Roy must do one single most important thing in his life, which is to help Dittu get revenge from Chandru (Nana Patekar). What happens when the Bluff Master who wears so many masks is left with no alternative but to take them all off and finally reveal his real self? Watch Bluff Master to find out!

Roy Kapoor (Bachchan) is a career conman who excels in running the "perfect scam". He's in love with Simmi (Chopra) who he's been dating for 6 months and they're getting engaged. Unfortunately at their lavish engagement party, one of his most recent cons comes back to bite him on the proverbial when the victim turns out to be Simmi's uncle! Simmi had no idea her fiancé was a conman (she thought he was a stockbroker) and BOOM! The engagement is broken off and Simmi tells Roy that she wants nothing more to do with him.

Six months later, a forlorn Roy still wanders around like a lovesick puppy and comes across Dittu (Deshmukh) another conman but rather new to the game who's pulling off a con with a doctor (Irani). Dittu and colleague drop a banger and Dittu grabs the doctor and he falls to the floor thinking he's been shot, Dittu calls an "ambulance" but in reality they're out to steal whatever they can from the doctor. Roy "rescues" the doctor and in return the doctor gives him some well meaning advice, and in the process they discover that Roy has a brain tumour and only has 3 months to live. Simmi gets engaged to another man, Dittu keeps hounding Roy to mentor him as he wants to be as good at conning people as Roy for been for so many years and he wants to avenge his father's downfall at the hands of another conman Chandru (Patekar), who is somewhat of a gangster too.

The cons at the start and climax of the film were pretty brilliant and you really don't see the end one coming, so it is quite a surprise. I think it was very cleverly done but I'm guessing there's a Hollywood film out there with a similar storyline which has been copied because I'm pretty sure Bollywood didn't come up with this idea! If I'm doing Bollywood an injustice in that comment then I'd be the first to hold up my hand and admit I made a mistake.

The film itself is reminiscent of the Michael Douglas starrer The Game but don't be fooled into thinking it's a direct copy... It isn't!

All in all Bluffmaster gets a high 9 out of 10 from me. I'd recommend fans of comedy and/or con capers give this a watch. It's a slick fast-paced film with lots of eye candy for both the male and female audience with some good laughs thrown in along the way.

A conman to the core who loves taking lethal risks for the joyride and the money finds it difficult to mend his ways after his lover finds about his reality. A rookie thief who bumps into the con-master, begs him to teach him the tricks of the trade and becomes his sidekick. What follows then is fun, adventure and a dangerous mission. You have to pay special attention to the events, characters and their dialogs. This is because all things have unapparent significance. Bluffmaster is shot entirely in Mumbai and surprisingly makes it look good. Abhishek is definitely matured and Ritesh is good fun. Actress Priyanka looks great and acts just right, nothing overdone. A thriller with a cool attitude and good music that keeps you glued till the end. Smart one liners, good aesthetics, pacey storytelling make this an offbeat bollywood flick. If you like good movies , don't miss this one. And yes the end makes sense.

From the moment I left the theater up to now, I still haven't been able to figure what feeling this movie left me with. It has several good things to speak about and some..well not so good. AB's baby has come a long way from the refuge of the Big B and has cemented his space as a star in Bolywood. Nana Patekar gives a splendid performance and nothing less could be expected from him either. There is little of Priyanka Chopra that people have not seen and in this movie they see even less of her which is actually a good thing. Boman Irani is a great actor in general but this is a performance which he would do good to forget. The surprise package of this movie, though, is Rietesh D. He carries his part to the T as the stumbling silly and lost protégé. He does seem to have a strange kind of charm about him which is easily noticeable in this movie. What leaves me dumb-found is the movie in itself. It is funny in parts and serious in all the wrong places. You keep getting this feeling being in a warp zone of some kind and you keep leaving your stomach behind. This is not for the excitement but just an uneasy feeling which makes you shift in your seat time and again. Sometimes the story tries too hard and at other times it just seems to not want to try at all. For instance the some of the gags are a bit much and the romance between Simi and Roy just falls flat. You begin to wonder somewhere along weather it would have been OK to just buy the soundtrack (which BTW is awesome) and pass up the movie but just then it pulls itself together and there you have it. Rohan Sippy seems to manage the last bit somehow again going a bit too far but just enough to make sure he rakes in the mullah. Not really a waste of money or time but I would much rather have watched this movie at home on a DVD.

Bluffmaster – Right Here, Right Now! Indian cinema finally comes of age! Actors living their parts, and not merely acting , the film maker who is not just telling a story but just portraying a honest , brutal reflection of our times. Instantly recognizable characterizations and everyday situations which one can relate to. Mind blowing performances and a directorial masterstroke! Chartering unexplored horizons, the movie has upped the standard for Bollywood forever.

OK, that was the "Bluff "portion of the review! Bluffmaster is nothing close to what is written in the first paragraph. And the best part is it doesn't pretend or even attempt to be! That I guess is what makes Bluffmaster work! A movie where the maker and the actors don't take themselves too seriously and one in which they are having a blast and hoping that the audience would join them in doing so! Yeah, the plot is nothing earth shattering in itself. But the casting, performances, the dialogues (cant remember the last Hindi movie which had such witty one-liners), and the zany soundtrack with the remixes elevate the proceedings to a great extent.

The obvious scene stealer in the movie is Nana Patekar. Often accused of being stereotypical with his penchant for mouthing heavy duty dialogues , Nana does a complete u – turn , with his over the top, narcissist portrayal of the " Chuna " factory don who no one ever dreams of messing up with .He gets the best lines in the movies ( his intro scene , when he denounces Priyanka and Abhishek , his lap top , why his image has taken a beating etc). You just need to watch "Apaharan " to put to rest any debate on this mans versatility .

Booman Irani is the kind who makes even the most mundane role look interesting and delivers his part to the T. The surprise packet of the movie is Ritiesh D. Clowning comes almost naturally to him given his looks, but he handles it without going overboard or being loud. The good old adage of loud is funny is thrown out of the window and the escapades of duo (Abhishek and him) are truly funny.

And yes Aby Baby delivers. It almost seems that entire nation has been waiting for Abhishek to work! In the last few movies (Yuva, Bunty, Sarkar) Abhishek evolution as an actor can be seen and in a mad cap movie like this he even brings a touch of vulnerability to his character. He emotes , cries , gets drunk , does the " Dus Bahane " dance step to perfection , sports a stubble, a swagger and wears an unbuttoned shirt to claim the title of the official " Cool Dude " ! Priyanka doesn't have nothing much to do and thankfully for that. Himman Dhamija captures Mumbai in all its splendor, the by lanes and the skyline lending itself to the screenplay. Further the technical finesse which is becoming more the norm in Bollywood movies today is pretty much evident.

The movie does have its share of flaws -the romantic interludes drag on, caricaturist, simplistic con games and the utter detachment you may experience. Tongue in cheek, cocky and ultra cool, this spoofy caper deserves a watch! You know you are being taken for a ride, just sit back and enjoy it!