Johnny Gaddaar

This seems to be a watershed year or at least month so far as thrillers in Hindi movies are concerned. First there was Manorama 6 Feet Under and now I saw Johnny Gaddar, which totally ROCKS!! A tight and layered script that pays a lot of homage to erstwhile thrillers (tons of 70's references here) but remembers to have its own identity, absolutely SUPERB direction and performances that are indicative of the relish all the actors took in their parts. Even Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy provide some measure of compensation for the emasculation of 70's songs they did in their remix albums by coming up with a background score that's booming with the meaty brass sounds of that era. If there is any flaw I'd say the lead pair of Neil Mukesh and Rimi Sen are kinda vacuous but even that mostly works in the film's favor because they play characters that remain under everyone else's horizon.

Here is a film directed by someone whose previous directorial venture (Ek Hasina Thi), though stylishly executed, was a box office dud. A film which has Dharmedra as the biggest name in the credits. The second biggest is perhaps Shankar Ehsaan Loy, who are favorite composers for big banners these days. They have done a neat job here as well. A film which has a debuting actor with musical genes in lead role (he is grandson of legendary singer Mukesh). So what would be expected from such a venture? Not much I reckon. And that's the biggest strength of the film. Low expectations, high returns. The film is classic thriller by all standards. Be it acting, script, direction… anything.

Commenting anything about the storyline would be a sin for this genre of cinema. Though its not suspense of "Who did it" sorts, but still its best that story is left untold. But it deserves to be told that unfolding and turn of events is gripping. It keeps you glued to your seats.

Technically the film is a jewel. Cinematography is top notch. Editing is crisp, narrative fast paced. There is hardly a dull moment. Background score is racy and innovative. Sriram Raghvan proves that the promise shown in his directorial debut was not fluke. He is a director to look out for. And thanks to him, we now have an actor too to look out for in Neil Nitin Mukesh.

So, some may call Johnny Gaddar a cult classic, some call it style exemplified. But in simple terms, it's a good film. Go and watch it.

If you grew up reading James Hadley Chase and his prototype stories of the not so bad (but not good) protagonists, who always fell for the wrong woman, tried to make it big, but things went wrong in a very bad way - then this is a must watch for you! I am still stunned by the sheer quality, charisma and entertainment of this film. Dharam was Garam, Neil is a heart-throb and he can act, even Rimi Sen was competent. Dharam made me so nostalgic for the 70s - "It is not about age but mileage" LOL!!! I liked Rasika, Govind Namdeo, Zakir Hussain - in fact it is safe to say that no one turned in a bad performance. Neil Mukesh is one to watch out for - best when he played the innocent, but also great when he was the schemer. Move over Hritik, forget it Ranbir, the new man about town is certainly Neil Nitin Mukesh.

There were more references to everyone's favorite moments in books (Hadley Chase mostly) and films (of course the ubiquitous Johnny Mera Naam, and many many Bachchan films including the early and all important Parwana) than I can remember (and it might take another viewing to capture them all!), there was your favorite music from yesteryear's (Aage bhi jaane Na tu for one) and some cool new stuff, there was blood and gore galore, and there was an inevitability to the story (just like your favorite Hadley Chase book had).

And after you are done watching Johnny Gaddaar then go back and watch Jewel Thief and Johnny Mera Naam, maybe even Parwana, to get even more out of the film!

I highly recommend this film to all lovers of pulp fiction (and I do not mean the film alone), the noir genre, heists, double-crosses, and just unusual cinema that is very well done. Kudos to Sriram Raghavan, I wish I could get into his head to see where all this came from.

It's the retro age - Recently i saw this Tarantino film (must admit I'm a huge fan of his!!) on the Grindhouse backdrop and it amazed me because of the recreated era - sublimely yet effectively treated and brought on screen. I kept wondering whether I will ever lay my eyes on any such film in the Hindi Film Industry.

Sriram Raghavan (of "Ek Hasina Thi" fame) has much the same treatment for us - Shock and Awe. Yes!! It is a complete disappointment for the people' who can predict every twist and turn while watching a Thriller - because the film is genuinely UNPREDICTABLE, right till the credits flash across your gaping faces. (I'm sure you will be staring in sheer disbelief at the audacity of the Director) It is the treatment that blows you off - and the director is not even shy to reveal his "inspirations" for he surpasses them! The plot is about a supposedly well planned and organized barter of things gone wrong - "The Gang" of Five wants to get hold of something which requires a payment of 2.5 crores, an investment which shall get doubled with time. But someone among them betrays. You get to know about who the betrayer is, but not the other four in the gang. It sets off a chain of events that involves five underhand dealers, their families, a cop has a perfect denouement. It is almost like a short story - leaves you yearning for more, just as you thought you knew it whole! Fast and slick - right from the credits which is sexy and suave, through the images - that of Johny's transition from warmth exuding from the eyes to that cold glimpse which petrifies, from Pune to Goa and back again, the bars, the "in-built" and "in-sync" songs, the promises made only to be broken, the message is clear - Evil begets Evil and consumes Evil too.

The actors are brilliant (except for Neil who does a good job, but somehow he seemed to be emulating rather than delivering originality). Be it VInay Pathak, Dharmendra or Zakir Husaain, their characters have been sketched to perfection. Watch out for the ironies and the metaphors that have sublimely been blended into the film (say for instance, Why the name "Johny Gaddar" ?)...

The camera work has to be seen to be believed. The editing is absolutely A-class. The soundtrack is a perfect foil to the hectic pace of the film. Yes it might have its share of flaws (a particular thread which has no "suitable" ending), but they are an iota to the grandiose treat that I'm sure you shall relish for years to come...

I might just add - Watch it on the Big Screen. It's a perfect fit. Hats off to you Mr. Raghavan!!

There have been very few proper thrillers in Indian film industry, and counting few good ones in them is easy task. However here comes a movie that has the potential to redefine the genre. Most probably this movie will prove to be a dud at Box office, however it will sure go down as a cult for generations to come.

In most of the thrillers that I have seen, I am able to second guess the director on what he is going to show. However this movie is something that didn't let me do that. Even though the pacing seemed to be slow in parts, however it actually was never slow. Every few minutes the events took a dramatic change, and even though you realize that this could have been expected, however it was not.

This is type of cinema that I prefer to enjoy alone, not with friends Or with family. Simply go into the theater and immerse yourself.

My only regret is the way the music was used. Initially only the title track was released but later there was an elaborate album. And it was one of the best score to hit the shelves in a long time. The album gave an impression that it was not typical Bollywood fare, however would be used in background. It had some excellent themes and instrumental pieces and sometimes it gave an impression if modern day Hollywood themes were inspired from Bollywood of 70's, and one expected those pieces to play a pivotal role to elevate the movie. However they were hardly used in the movie, except for couple of occasions.

Since I have heard the original album, that is the reason my expectations were sky high from the background music and theme music of the music, but still its a rare masterpiece coming out of Bollywood. This one deserves an elaborate DVD version.

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED at ANY COST !! *****