Johnny Gaddaar

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.

Unquestionably one of the smartest films I've seen recently, the biggest strength of Johnny Gaddaar is its unpredictability. Unlike most conventional thrillers with a heist at its core, this one's not a whodunit – it can't be, because you know all along who's done it – the question instead is, how's he going to get away with it? Really the film's biggest accomplishment is the manner in which it compels you, the viewer to think differently – midway through the film you've got the drift, you begin to expect the unexpected, you even begin to predict what's going to happen next. That's the level of involvement you're able to muster up for this film.

Dharmendra as leader of the gang, Zakir Hussain as the crass club-owner, Vinay Pathak as the smarmy card-shark, and Neil Nitin Mukesh as the rookie, the youngest member of the gang – you couldn't find better actors to fill out these roles.

Zakir Hussain in particular, stands out with a performance that is ingenious in every sense of the word. And Neil Nitin Mukesh makes an inspired debut; he's clearly an actor to look out for.

it's a thriller very unlike his own previous film Ek Hasina Thi, and very unlike most thrillers you've seen recently. Watch it because it's that rare film that actually expects you to use your brain.

8/10..!

A combination of slickness and intelligence is rare in Hindi cinema. 'Johnny Gaddaar' is one such film. Not only is it slick and intelligent, it has a gripping fast-paced plot, impressive performances (none bad), keeps you at the edge of the seat and entertains. It just kept me so involved! I loved the numerous reference to Indian classics (like 'Bandini', 'Johnny Mera Naam' and so many more) and the Chase novels. The dark humour provides several laugh out loud moments e.g. during the second scene Dharmendra turns on the stereo to listen to his wife sing. Raghavan's inspiration clearly shows (note inspiration NOT ripoff) and the man did one hell of a job in creating an Indian pulp fiction!

The cast itself is a smartly gathered unusual ensemble that works very well. Dharmendra rocks as the leader of the gang. This guy has brought a wise freshness in his last three films (the other two being 'Life..in a Metro' and 'Apne'). Zakir Hussain, Govind Namdeo and Vinay Pathak are great in their parts. Ashwini Kalsekar is natural while Rimi Sen is no good. However, 'Johnny Gaddaar' rests on débutant Neil Nitin Mukesh. The actor isn't fully comfortable in front of the camera but his awkwardness and novel presence fits the character (who is the newest member of the gang).

The background score deserves special mention. The instrumental tracks heard in spy movies, the trance music...all add a nice and cool touch. The item number in the end could have been shortened but the songs give a feel of the wild 70s.

Raghavan's debut film 'Ek Hasina Thi' happens to be one of my favorite thrillers. Now I can add his second film to my favorites! Even though the plot becomes slightly predictable during the last 45 minutes, it doesn't lose its charm. It's a howdunnit rather than a whodunnit. Undoubtedly, one of the most enjoyable films of the year and one of the best of its genre to come out from India.

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.

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.