Mithya

Talking about the lives of gangsters in India, Mithya takes the story- line to a whole new level, where a two-bit actor played by Ranvir Shorey is sent to impersonate his look-alike gangster.

The fun starts when the other gang teach the actor how to act and what to do once he gets inside the enemy clan's lair. Trouble ensues when he loses his memory after a fall. With some well-written characters, the plot follows the gang-rivalry and the towards the end, it turns out to be a heart-aching story which induces emotions and sympathy & anger.

Rajat Kapoor is an okay director but I am amused by the characters and how this cast should be called the "Bollywood frat pack."

BOTTOM LINE: A very different kinda movie, which don't get released much. Recommended!

Violence/Gore: Critical | Sex/Mouth-Kiss: No | Vulgarity: Mild | Alcohol/Smoking/Drugs: Mediocre

Mithya is a story of a lier who lives the life of a gangster.This is the movie which shows the madness of all the characters in the movie,especially Ranvir Shorey.The story of the film is very different and its after a very long time that I saw a film like this one. The film starts with about how a simple man VK (Ranvir Shorey)tries his best to really make a mark for himself in the film industry. while attempting to really prove his mettle VK the simple man get caught into the web of murky underworld politics. The Rest you must see by yourself.For me,the movie is really entertaining with lot of fun.Ranvir Shorey gave his best performance in this movie.

Mithya, a tragi-comedy , is film directed by Rajat kapoor. Rajat kapoor has really impressed in this movie though he didn't act in it..the story starts with showing how a simple man VK (ranvir shorey) tries his best to really make a mark for himself in the film industry. while attempting to really prove his mettle VK the simple man get caught into the web of murky underworld politics. He is cleverly manipulated by Nasserudin shah, Shaurabh shukla and their allies.the background music is wonderfully done. The film has dialogues from hamlet, which was intended for drawing parallel with a man who finally just becomes the pawn in the chess board. Mithya, is a wonderful and special because at certain instances the common man can relate to the characters of the film.there are times when one feels really bad for VK, who is to don the mantle of rajabhai the dreaded underworld mafia. The script is very crisp and fresh. there are comic relief and the film doesn't drag unneccesarily. Overall Mr.Rajat Kapoor has delivered a film that is worth watching.

While the many reviews I have read described 'Mithya' as a multi-layered thriller, I found it to be quite simple in terms of story but very layered. Due to the dark themes, it does fall on the lines of last year's 'Johnny Gaddaar', 'Manorama Six Feet Under' and 'Ek Chalis ki Last Local' in some ways but at the same time it's a completely different experience. 'Mithya' is indeed a terrific accomplishment by Kapoor and Shukla. While the screenplay may be a little imbalanced especially the comedy and the thriller it works very well for the film. It drags a bit at some sequences especially the first half. The ending while abrupt (and predictable) remains powerful and strangely the film then felt very short in length. On the technical front, while 'Mithya' is a dark film, the limited (and sometimes) poor use of lighting was a little irritating but the cinematography works.

Now to the good stuff, I loved how Bollywood clichés have been used and taken a step further (unlike the so many Bollywood films where they just create more plot holes) leading to further twists and peeling off layers. Shukla and Kapoor did a fine job with the writing with the exception that some of the supporting characters could have done with more development. Sagar Desai's score is fantastic. I remember how much I loved his music in Rajat Kapoor's 'Mixed Doubles' and here he uses a completely different tune that is darker and less cheerful and does not disappoint one bit. I also liked how the dream/flashback and the 'search' sequences were shot. The film gives the similar feel of illusion as 'Manorama: Six Feet Under' but unlike 'Manorama' where it was quiet, warmly colourful and chaotic, here it is dark/cold-tinted, 'noisy' and chaotic. I liked the use of metaphors and symbols too e.g. the link between the most famous monologue in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', 'To Be Or Not To Be', and the drowning corpse(s) (Ophelia).

Here is one role that Ranvir Shorey has used to fully explore his acting. I cannot think of anyone else who could have done more justice to this multi-layered complex character as Shorey completely owned the part. It's perhaps a little too early to call it among the finest performances of the year but it's powerful nonetheless. Neha Dhupia oozes sex as she looks sizzling but her acting was mostly okay (nothing standout). Vinay Pathak and Saurabh Shukla are okay too (as the writing does not give them much scope). Iravati Mahadev makes the best of the little role she has which results in an impressive performance. Unfortunately, Naseeruddin Shah does not have much screen time but he makes the best of what he's given.

In a nutshell, I would call it a brilliant film by Shukla and Kapoor. Critics seem to overly praise it just for being different rather than for being powerfully amusing (which it is). Okay, I'll rephrase that: It deserves to be praised for being a phenomenal film rather than for just being different. But I suppose that allows the viewer to discover for themselves what they're in for. In my opinion, this is the first great Indian film of the year. Yes, there are flaws but the impact of its viewing is undeniable (at least for me).

I am a lazy person and generally don't like to put comments for movies. BUT, considering that I was about to give this movie a miss based on my friend's review and after watching it,I realized that probably I should convey the message to other like-minded people who appreciate different and intelligent cinema. This is a pretty good movie.

I heard people say that the movie drags a bit in the later parts, I don't agree. It suits the tone of the movie at that time. It is very funny to begin with and ends nicely. I like those movies where you have something to think/talk about after having watched it. This is one such movie. Ranveer Shorey has given a brilliant performance. It must be watched because there are not many such movies in Hindi cinema. And I rate it above Bheja Fry which too I liked.