Kaun?

In one line.. The best Thriller from Bolly/ Hollywood. Yes! You have read it right. Not even Hollywood has ever done a movie with such a superb script. I am sure no one from Hollywood has seen the movie, coz if I was a producer, that would be the first thing I would do. Without giving anything away, just let me tell you, how much can you do with a real time movie, with just two characters inside a house and a radio which says that a killer is running free in the city. JUST WATCH IT! I saw it back in 1999-2000, and I saw it yesterday and though you know the ending, you just cant get out of the movie, its so gripping. Ram Gopal Verma is undoubtedly the best director India has right now (Shekhar Kapoor doesn't make Hindi movies). Its not your "keep your brains out" typical 'Mass' movie directed by the Johars & Chopras with the Khans running around the Zintas and Mukherjees, its a thinking man's movie. No matter who you are, if you are reading this which means you KNOW MOVIES, you will enjoy this movie.

After watching his film COMPANY, I thought I should check out another Ram Gopal Varma film. I found this obscure film of his, KAUN? With only three characters credited, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Boy was I surprised, in a somewhat typical plot that really doesn't go anywhere, there is humor, wit and solid character development. It's a small film that resonated even stronger with me than COMPANY. The woman Urmila is fantastic in the girl-woman role and she truly is quite remarkable. In a film like this, it shows how much the director has a part in shaping the project. This movie just on plot would have been nothing, but Varma's direction is first rate and it shows. An interesting Indian film for sure, without any songs, the film is still somewhat Bollywood with the forced elements.

Ram Gopal Varma is definitley my favourite indian film director. His movies are now highly anticipated in India similar to a Spielberg or Kubrick flick.

Kaun is only 90 minutes long, has no songs, only three characters and takes place entirely in one house. All Indian movie conventions are thrown out the door. But, Kaun may be one of the best cult movies to come out of India. (RGV also directed the amazing modern gangster classic Company in 2002)

Kaun could easily be made into a Hollywood ala the recent horror flick The Ring. I will not give away the ending, but suffice to say it will catch you off guard, blow you away but still leave your head scratching.

If RGV had added a few songs, some additional characters and a love story into the mix, Kaun may have had better recognition. But it would have also been a film much weaker in narrative scope. RGV has said many times that, he will only place songs in his movies if the situation warrants it (thats the reason for almost 7 songs in his film Rangeela, a story about a girl making it as a star in Bollywood)

If you have not seen Kaun, do yourself a favour and rent it, then watch all of RGV's films and see a true talented Indian filmaker, trying to elevate Bollywood commercial cinema to a new level

I was 16 years old when I went to see kaun in theatre and because the movie was rate adult I had to buy the ticket in black but even then the theatre owner wouldn't let me go in and so I had to request him to let me go in and so he let me. All the trouble I took for watching kaun was worth it. The ending was so surprising that after watching kaun I couldn't sleep at night. What haunted me was Urmila's performance. She was absoloutely brilliant. This one of RGV's best movie and is a must watch for anyone who likes thriller movies. My rating - 10/10

I have seen many RGV films and this one could be put as one of his best movies other than classic COmpany. If you haven't seen this movie, i will recommend this movie. This movie has no songs and running time of about 100 minutes. The first 20 or 30 minute of the film is kind of slow, so if you can make it through it you will be up for a plesant surprise. Great acting by Urmila and Manoj Bajpai.

4/5