Mithya

Finally, something decent emerges from the Bollywood stable this year. As always, Actor/Director Rajat Kapoor brings audiences a challenging film that tears through conventional Bollywood film-making norm, and once again comes out a triumph. After the...(read more) impressive two-punch of Mixed Doubles and Raghu Romeo, Rajat tries his hand at a gangster film with Mithya. Publicized as a comedy to lure audiences in, for the most part the film is actually a drama with elements of dark comedy. Without giving it away, let me just say that Mithya's story is akin to taking Shahrukh Khan's Om Prakash Makhija character and dumping him into the world of another Shahrukh starrer, Don, without the masala. Moreover, Mithya is a much better product than the former films, sorry Shahrukh Khan. With that being said, the film is a clever mix of dark comedy and traditional drama, with some brilliant performances complimenting a wonderful 'different' script. Ranvir Shorey is excellent as a man striving to figure out who he is, and where he belongs. He effectively portrays the range of emotions needed for his character. The rest of the cast support Shorey effectively. This is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and think. See It!

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).

A roller coaster fun ride film that has many good moments.

I liked it primarily for the treatment. It's a story that has some clues from yesteryear's DON but was treated completely differently and more realistically. Kudos to the director Rajat Kapoor for having the courage to put this up.

Ranvir Shorey shows many facets of his acting capabilities here. He is simply brilliant and endearing. As the film moves, his character evolves and thus it grew on me. Of others, Naseeruddin Shah was at ease with his character. Saurabh Shukla plays his role effortlessly. A host of others gather to make this film a watch just for their acting. The best part of the film is the cast in itself. The cast that has tremendous acting abilities.

The cinematography was good, if not great. What was shown was adequately done. The editing was superb. Considering this as 1 hour 50 minutes film, all the unnecessary things are chopped off. No uncalled for songs and no heroic fights. It's simply put and well compiled.

The writing is terrific. With showing small cultural differences to major mindset exchanges, the film deals with many aspects without any hype and hoopla. The simplicity comes to the foray as a saving grace and it indeed is the big positive of this film.

Thanks to writers Rajat Kapoor and Saurabh Shukla for having written it so exceptionally well. Also, thanks to producers for having the courage to bring it on screen.

If not for anything, just watch it for Ranvir Shorey. A 4.5 for this brilliant film.

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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

The movie is about the life of a struggling actor VK (Ranveer), who finds himself in the middle of a gang war just because of his looks. This movie has a lot of twists and it will be unfair on my part to give away those here. In one line, the film is story of a guy who finds himself at the wrong place in the wrong time and how that changes his life. Although the movie is not a remake of Don, but this is how a Don remake could have been.

Rajat Kapoor and Saurabh Shukla have come up with a brilliant script, which is very unpredictable. Although I somehow knew the end, but the way movie reaches it's end is worth watching. The story has comedy, drama, action, romance, love, almost every element of a good script. Arindam Chaudhary has made up for his mistake (Rok Sako to Rok Lo) by producing this film. Rajat Kapoor has presented this brilliant script beautifully.

If we talk about acting, everyone in the cast has played his part beautifully. Ranveer Shorey has performed really well in a very demanding role. Vinay Pathak leaves his mark in a small but significant role. Other actors Naseeruddin Shan, Saurabh Shukla, Iravati, Brijendra Kala, Harsh Chhaya all are good in their part and have been suitably cast. Neha Dhupia has proved that she can act, if she is given good roles. By the end of the year, this movie will definitely find it's name among one of the best movies of year 2008.

I would rate this film as 8 out of 10 and would recommend every cinema lover to go and watch this film. I am sure you will be glad that you watched this film.