Jannat: In Search of Heaven...

The best thing about a Mukhesh Bhatt release is that no one expects much from it. And more often than not, his films turn out to be quite entertaining. He is also credited with having launched budding directors in this new age of Bollywood (Recall : Anurag Basu). Jannat is the directorial debut of Kunal Deshmukh, and among all the flops that have come out of the Indian Hindi film industry this year, Jannat happens to be a huge surprise.

Jannat has two parts to its story. The former set in India, the later in South Africa. Essentially, like most Bhatt films, it is a love story. However, its main storyline deals with betting and match fixing in the cricketing world. Arjun, the character portrayed by Emraan Hashmi, is a man with, what he calls, a 'sixth sense'. He is a master predictor of cricket matches. He becomes a bookie and soon gains attention in the eyes of underworld don Abu Ibrahim, who buys arms and ammunitions with the money he makes from betting on cricket matches. Torn apart by his love for the girl of his dreams, Zoya, and his greed for money, Arjun is left with making a choice between living a normal hard-earned life and an easy, yet deceiving one.

The first good thing about Jannat is that it has a solid storyline. Whether it is the childish, yet well defined love story, or the complexities of a man who is clearly suffering from some obsessive compulsive disorder or other. Then there is the cricketing world and underworld bit. This is one of the most original and well written story lines to come out of Bollywood this year so far. When it comes to being effective, it achieves that in its entirety in its two hours and twenty minute running time. With everything from the mention of a cricketer turned comedy show host, to the murder of a coach at the World Cup, the storyline is the strongest point of the movie.

The music is not as good as one expects it to be. Judai being the pick of the lot. However, the version sung by Kamraan Ahmad is not there in the film. Zara si is just okay. Characteristic of a Bhatt film. Rupam Islam's Hindi singing debut is noticeable, although miss-able. The song is too similar to the songs of his band, Fossils. The background score is very good. It gels in very well with the pace of the film.

Emraan Hashmi, apart from having earned the tag of 'serial kisser', happens to be a freakishly good actor. The versatility of the roles that he has done clearly shows that. From being a wife-thief, to an undercover agent, and now a simple man with quite a serious mental disorder. He is like what his dad states in the film - 'A compulsive liar'. And in order to get himself out of any situation, he does what is characteristic of him. He lies some more. Newcomer Sonal Chauhan is okay, making the transition from a sweet and bubbly Mumbai girl to a sexy bar dancer in South Africa. She does look quite anorexic in certain scenes, but as a whole she looks great. Javed Sheikh, as Abu Ibrahim is cold. Effective. Vishal Malhotra, as the sidekick serves the humor quotient well. The lad has come a long way from hosting Disney cartoons on Doordarshan.

Bollywood's only great film this year happens to Jodhaa Akbar, with Mithya and Shaurya being the other two 'good' films. Race might be a commercial success, but it is a highly frustrating film. Even Bhootnaath failed to click. Tashan is a no brainer! In a year when Bollywood is churning out flop after flop, Jannat serves as a breath of fresh air. Although far from heavenly, Jannat has a lot to offer at a time when cricket is on the lips of almost every Indian (Read : The IPL).

The IPL has come to a stage when it gets boring to sit down and watch an entire game. Do yourself a favor, grab a Jannat ticket and spend two and a half hours in an air conditioned theater watching a film which redefines all the 'Ishtyle' and 'Pharmoola' that Bollywood has been coming up with off late.

7/10. Worth it!

the new movie from bhatt production house has been released to a great hype following the success of awarapan. Don't go to the movie expecting too much. Its just a time killer that will keep u busy till the end.

A gambler turns into a cricket bookie finding that he has a sixth sense of guessing what will happen the next ball. But his urge to make quick money pushes him into match fixing and he looses control of his life and love. The ending is very dramatic which lends the punch at the end. i kind of liked it.

Imran delivers a steady performance. He has done alright in similar roles in the past. the soundtrack and background score is good. Its a good way to kill time on an evening.

Amazing Movie

This is a story of a man name Arjun (Emraan Hashmi) who want to make quick money and wants to live a luxurious life. He loves a woman name Zoya

He is a gambler who turns into a cricket bookie banking on his sixth sense for the game. But his urge to make quick money pushes him into match fixing and he loses control of his life and love. In the end he kill by the Police

With an unexpected start, and a rather unexpected-but-touchy end, this movie was one great ride.

I rushed to the cinema hoping to buy the evening Bhootnath show, which was "house full"...so "i had no choice and in desperation of not wanting to waste my journey i decided to pass my time with Jannat"...I wish I could take my words back...because it proved ironical! Mahesh Bhatt showed us again that like the movie, he can be unexpected himself. With a brilliant and soothing soundtrack, a little-off-the-track acting, a different storyline, and a BRILLIANT TOUCHY ENDING, this movie just has it all.

Critically speaking, there's nothing but the fact that it "did some Hindi-movie-ones" if u know what i mean...? i don't want to spoil the movie for first timers, but for those who've already seen it, i hope you understand...

Otherwise, BRILLIANT! and unexpected from sum1 not-so-professional as Emraan...great work!!! Bhootnath can go later...

8/10.

Worth it.

I watched Jannat yesterday evening. I have to say that it was quite an intense movie with good performances except from the female lead (débutant Sonal). A powerful actress could have enacted it with more power and punch. Emraan is very impressive and first rate in this movie. The story is quite novel and good. The twist at the interval was quite shocking to me, I did not expected that. Overall the support cast was also good. South Africa locales are good and cinematography is good. I liked the end a lot even though others may have different opinion. Th movie does not look like that it has been directed by a débutant. I will be looking forward for further movies from the director. Go for it guys..