Karam

This movie is definitely one of the best Indian breakthrough films of 2005. The protagonist of the film, John Abraham, is actually a negative character. Playing the role of a hit-man, he has a long history of sins. He finally realizes the enormity of his wrongdoings after accidentally killing a small girl during a mission. Although his spiritual awakening does help him to some extent, his numerous murders do not let him live in peace. In a constant struggle to start life afresh, it is extremely interesting to see how his past deeds catch up to him. John gives a good performance. Priyanka is also great in her small role. The climactic monologue and visuals are beautiful. Cinematography is excellent. "Tinka Tinka" is a very beautiful song. "Tera Hi Karam" is a great track with an awesome, shocking, and eye-opening video displaying the theme of the movie. The theme is portrayed magnificently as the movie does a good job in showing how all the characters' karma dictates the degree of suffering they must endure in their life and/or death.

Sanjay F Gupta graduates from a Music Video Director to Movie Director with this movie, and it shows. While watching the movie, you realize what the director intended to show, but could not put it up on the screen exactly as he visualized it. His movie works well in short-spans, and then mellows to mediocre fare, until it lifts again. And not very surprisingly, the best portions of the movie are the build up to the songs, which seamlessly blend into the movie's narrative.

This movie is about an assassin John (John Abraham) on a guilt-trip, who wants to lay his weapons after mistakenly killing (almost) an entire family. He has a lovely wife Shalini(Priyanka Chopra) who sings at a restaurant (and is thankfully not a bar-dancer). At the same time, the delicate balance between the underworld dons of Mumbai is being tipped to one side, as a faction tries to kill off John's boss aptly named Captain (a loud debut by stage artiste Bharat Dabholkar). In vengeance, and on John's reluctance, Captain holds Shalini captive to make John pick his weapon and kill the opposition. What follows is a little story of crossing and double-crossing as John plays side to side, all the while looking out for his own. On his trail is Inspector Wagh (a very confident debut by Shiny Ahuja).

Again, a different story and a nice performance by John Abraham. He looks the part and plays the part well. Technically sound (coz of his background), the director handles new technology very nicely. This is the only Hindi movie I know that uses Color Grading to proper effect. Slow-motion with such smooth movements I have only seen in Kaante before (ironically, director by another Sanjay Gupta). He also uses a technique that I have read been described as a lift from Kill Bill - there is an animated sequence at the beginning to establish the story. This nicely done sequence is more reminiscent of Kamal Hassan's underrated psycho-serial-killer thriller Abhay.

The movie is also quite violent by regular standards - Captain sends John his wife's sliced finger to get him going...

The most amazing part of the movie for me was it's songs (but obviously coming from this director), especially the title song: Tera Hi Karam. Shot with John in a heavy depression and being played on all sides, it shows him as down in the dumps as possible with all the other characters getting their own highs. The whole sequence is done in slo-mo, with John in one end of the screen standing head-down in heavy heavy rain. There's a guy at the other end of the screen whipping himself on a bare back (some people do that to punish themselves). This is inter-cut with the perversions of the villains : Captain's got a car battery wired to his temples and gives himself shocks; Yunus (another gangsta) is dressed in ladies underwear and is feeling himself and dancing in front of a mirror (whoa!!). Has something even half as 'dark' as this ever been shown on Indian Cinama screens? Although the movie is below a well-made movie, but it is the effort that is very much visible and gets the movie its marks. You know that the director can do better next time 'round. Here's hoping he does, and stays in the dark territory.

My Rating ---> 3 of 5

What made me feel good after watching this movie was ... a good story and brilliant acting.. specially Priyanka Chopra has done a very good job... she is the lady who knows what acting is.... and no doubt if she will be the next bollywood queen... John Abraham has also done a very good job playing the character of a hit-man... all together a good movie to watch ... worth the time... And I think after a long time had bollywood came up with such a brilliant movie I don't know why such movies are not liked by the Indian audience... they go in for crap... I would say that Karam has got a good story, good acting and screenplay, but still this movie did not do much business ... sad to hear that... Indian audience ... wake up plzzzzz....

Bollywood crowds were not pleased with this film. For good reason of course. This movie breaks out of the regular tradition of song, dance and predictable drama and creates a movie rarely seen in the Bollywood industry. The direction was amazing. The movie was inspired by many action movies from the past but what makes it different is its setting and culture. Very few Hindi movies have been made with such openness and innovation. If you want a new twist on a classic story watch Karam. It will blends elements of Bollywood and American action. Its an entertaining watch if nothing else. Some scenes are a little graphic but they are not gratuitous. Also, the casting was excellent.

I thought this might be a fairly disposable action movie, but it's not, it's a very dramatic action movie with a wonderfully sharp script done full justice by an excellent cast. It is very stylized in places but with finesse, nothing looks excessive or gratuitous but rather serves the story.

John Abraham fits right into the role of the protagonist. He really accentuates the vulnerability of the character which adds a lot to his plight. Priyanka Chopra also does a great job with the character. One of her best performances maybe. Shiny Ahuja also delivers, adding another perspective to the story.

The film is perfectly paced, never letting up or getting distracted with side-stories. The songs are well implemented and serve the themes effortlessly. The first song "Tinka Tinka" is wonderfully subdued yet stirring and will stick with the viewer for long after viewing the movie.