Mousson Rouge

A film set in Mumbai dealing with gangsters and police. A rookie policeman in the crime department comes across a situation where he is chasing a man who could be a gangster or he could not be. The film depicts three scenarios that he can take, the right path, the wrong path and the middle way.

All three paths taken lead to someone or the other getting hurt. This is a gritty realistic depiction of the dilemmas faced by the police in the line of duty. The performances are good but there are so many characters and outcomes that we are confused. A dialed down version would make a better film.

#MonsoonShootout takes a fresh look at the cop vs criminal story. What if a newly-recruited cop comes face to face with a suspected criminal? Does he shoot him? Or does he let him escape? What happens to the criminal's family thereafter? Does his young son turn into another criminal? We get to see different versions of the same situation. Hats off to director Amit Kumar n cinematographer Rajeev Ravi for their efforts. They ensure that the viewer is completely involved in the proceedings. Performances by Vijay Varma, Neeraj Kabi, Siddiqui, r first-rate. Definitely worth watching. Rating 3.5/5.

I recently watched Monsoon Shootout vs and really enjoyed it. I've always been fascinated by the idea of "what if" scenarios-how one decision can lead to completely different outcomes. This film explores that concept in a smart and powerful way. Amit Kumar and his team did a great job bringing this vision to the screen.

The music and soundtrack are excellent, especially the Arijit Singh song-it really stood out. I also really liked the cinematography and editing. What impressed me even more is that the film avoids using typical fade-ins and fade-outs, which gave it a raw, realistic feel. For a film released in 2013, this kind of storytelling was bold and artistic-it feels like true art cinema.

The actors were also fantastic. Vijay Varma and Nawazuddin Siddiqui gave strong, believable performances. At just about 90 minutes, it's a short feature, but every moment counts. It's definitely a film worth watching for anyone who enjoys intense storytelling, bold direction, and thought-provoking concepts.

MONSOON SHOOTOUT at the 12th Indian FIlm Festival of Los Angeles LAIFF Reviewed by Alex Deleon-Sinha, April 29, 2014. --- Monsoon Shootout", a brilliant multi-layered debut feature by Amit Kumar is, among other things, a dazzling noir thriller drenched in rain starring Nawaz Siddiqui as a serial hatchet killer (!). It was really the main event of the 2014 IFFLA, but was inexplicably programmed as a throwaway on the last day and not given much attention while a dumb movie in the main hall pulled in the biggest crowd of the week.

Director Amit Kumar of Monsoon Shootout did show up on the very last night, in and out ~ to accompany his film and hold a Q & A. after which, over a drink in the lobby, he revealed to me that he was very impressed by the Polish film "Blind Chance" (Przypadek) a 1981 masterpiece by Krzysztof Kieslowski -- and that the basic idea for Monsoon Shootoot came from the Kieslowski picture. In both pictures -- both classic mindbenders -- the same story is told three times over with different outcomes each time. In this one you see normally lovable Nawaz Siddiqi as a psychotic ax-killer in two versions, but the last one makes you question which one was reality, and which ones were fantasy. Did the rookie cop who was stalking him all the time really have to shoot him as he was clambering over a wall? -- and Maybe he wasn't really the killer after all ....Huh?

This was a revelation to me because I too was greatly impressed by "Blind Chance" when I saw it in Poland years ago, and subliminally caught the parallels between the two films as I watched the current "Monsoon Shootout", but the Indian details as worked out by Kumar are totally different. It would make a remarkable evening of film watching to pair these two films up -- among other things to see the contrasting cultures and the contrasting acting styles of two fantastic actors-- Nawazzudin Sadiqi and Polish actor Boguslaw Linda who, in 1981, was the most popular film star in Poland. The film title is itself multi-resonant, suggesting an imploded version of "Monsoon Wedding" engaged to a Watery vision of "Shootout at the O.K. Corral" -- with the latter of which it has far more in common. A terrific movie that needs to be seen several time to pick up on all the nuances and counter- themes -- but do Bring an umbrella!

While most of the seasoned movie buffs would have heard about the Rashomon effect, Monsoon Shoutout explores a single perspective butterfly Rashomon effect, and one without anything at all. Written and directed by Amit Kumar this movie is a rare treat for audiences for its treatment and workmanship. Great acting performances with refreshing new faces makes the movie punch above its weight. Watch out for Neeraj Kabi as Khan for some great smooth acting lessons.

Monsoon Shootout is aided by a spectacular screenplay, one that will be remembered for ages. Cinematography and the choice of lenses used by Rajeev Ravi depending on the mood of cinema is excellent. Production design, costumes, make up and Music is very good for a movie that is on a very low budget. The choices of shooting locations used, couldn't be any better, just like the casting of the Monsoon Shootout which is perfect. The editor too has excelled in keeping the movie under 90 minutes.

Overall Monsoon Shootout is a must watch movie for seasoned movie buffs for its excellence in almost all departments of filmmaking, which is pretty rare in Indian Cinema. Mass movie audiences please stay away, this one is not for you.