Table No.21

Aditya Datt's 'Table No. 21' is An Interesting Thriller, that serves a dark yet absorbing story with a highly shocking & depressing culmination. Even the performances, are commendable!

'Table No. 21' Synopsis: A couple live a mediocre life and are thrilled to have won an exotic vacation to Fiji & their excitement increases when they get a chance to play a game for a mind boggling prize money.

'Table No. 21' is thoroughly a thriller, although its dark & gets very heavy in its final act, which is highly shocking & depressing. It tackles a burning issue bleakly. Jimmy-Sen's Screenplay is well-penned & absorbing. Aditya Datt's Direction is top-notch. Cinematography captures the exotic locales of Fiji marvelously. Editing is stark. Music is hummable.

Performance-Wise: The Always Amazing Paresh Rawal is faultless. He plays a twisted man with calculation & cruelty. Rajeev Khandelwal has emerged into a terrific actor. He emerges a big winner with his stupendous performance in here. Tena Desae looks stunning & delivers convincingly. Dhruv Ganesh is excellent.

On the whole, 'Table No. 21' is a game well played!

2013 has begun well: "Table No. 21", the first Hindi film I've seen this year is an excellent start to what I hope will be an exceptional one for cinema.

This film came to movie screens without any fanfare yesterday, with no hugely well-known names apart from that of character actor and noted scene-stealer Paresh Rawal. I was unfamiliar with Rajeev Khandelwal's work until now, but he's earning a name for himself doing unusual, offbeat films, and Tena Desae (weird spelling, but no matter – I suppose her name is Tina Desai) debuted last year as Dev Patel's love interest in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel".

A young couple experiencing hard times wins a weeklong stay in picturesque Fiji. On their last night there, they're invited to dinner at a fancy resort. They are seated at Table No. 21, and welcomed with chilled Dom Perignon by the owner. He tells them that apart from the ultra-swanky resort, he runs a web-based game show that boasts eight million computer geek fans. The game sounds easy enough: answer eight questions with just "Yes" or "No", carry out eight tasks linked to the questions, and walk away with 10 million Fijian dollars, which equals Indian rupees 21 crores. Ah, yes, that No. 21 again! One simple rule not to be forgotten: If you lie, you die. Would they be interested in being that night's contestants?

The broke couple cannot believe their good fortune. Within a couple of questions and tasks, it becomes clear that their mysterious host knows a lot about them. Each "Yes" or "No" answer becomes tougher as he forces them into truly sinister terrain. Suddenly the idyllic Fiji landscape takes on threatening hues.

It would be unwise to ruin a taut, truly innovative thriller with more details. The title of the film gains significance when one considers Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty. No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty, except according to procedure established by law.

It's impressive that such a small film has top-notch production values, a classy look, and best of all, thoughtful writing (Sheershak Anand, Abhijit Deshpande, Shantanu Ray Chibber, and Aditya Datt) and excellent performances. Veteran Paresh Rawal creates a multi-layered character one is unlikely to forget. You cannot take your eyes off him as his inscrutable, Machiavellian host turns the screws on the unfortunate game-show participants, while the hapless husband and wife do a fine job of winning our sympathy as their lives unravel before us.

Director Aditya Datt, whose three prior films went unnoticed, deserves kudos for helming this one with a sure, steady hand. Ravi Walia's slick camera work makes the most of the scenic Fiji locations that become more and more foreboding with the film's darkening mood. Editor Devendra Murdeshwar contributes much to the pace and texture of the film, which will stay with you long after the end credits have rolled. This timely film has enormous crossover potential, but because few know it is playing, it might not get the audiences it deserves.

Here's hoping 2013 will be filled with such imaginative, well-made fare.

I seriously don;t know why critics gave this a bad rating. Is it because they loath actors like Khandelwal and Desae? Or is it because it is concept driven movie and not Dabangg 3?

After 2012's debacle (I cannot list good movies except Kahaani, PSTomar & VDonor), I thought of giving Bollywood one more chance and here I am. Rajdhani Express was a blunder but Table No. 21 is a shocker. It is a great thriller and is sure to blow your head.

The plot revolves around the couple and their journey which is more like a juxtaposition of "Sach Ka Saamna" & "Fear Factor". Paresh Rawal is excellent with his reverse Ghajini haircut and is a perfect narrator throughout the movie. Yes, there are many loopholes for the innovative and experimental flick, but I seriously nail-bit all along.

If you chuck the amateur direction, screenplay, some cheesy bits and unwanted humor, Table No. 21 will serve as a great weekend blockbuster. I won;t spill the beans about a strong plot (which could've been executed well) because you have to watch it to get it.

But, I am sure the box office will despise it because the actors are not celebrities but if have watched Khandelwal's Aamir & Desae's The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, you wouldn't be whining about the little mistakes this movie has to his credits. Instead, I suggest you block the previous year's bad masala-mirch vibe and watch this ingenious flick - the first watchable movie of 2013.

WATCH OUT FOR: Paresh Rawal's portrayal of the mysterious and witty benefactor and most importantly the message that it states!

Bottom Line: Watch this instead of Leander Paes' blunder off pitch.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Language: No | Sex: No | Foreplay, Mouth-Kiss: Mild | Nudity: Mild | Alcohol: Mild | Violence: Mild | Drugs: No

Such an amazing movie with a great message for the current and the upcoming youth. This is a must watch movie because the lesson this movie gives is much needed for all of us to learn. Ragging is not a joke it's a crime which can unknowingly or knowingly cause many deaths and also mental instability which is equal to death. Definitely loved everything about this movie.

Table 21 was one of taut thriller with superb climax that will make you feel pity but also makes it an endearing watch.

A couple 5th wedding anniversary vacation goes horribly wrong when they decide to play a game called Table No.21 with a restaurant owner who promises to pay them 21 crores if they manage to win the game. However, as they play the game, mystery unfolds and reveals the ultimate truth which will impact their lives.

Aditya Datt(Ashiq Banaya Apne) completely surprises you his latest coming and especially if you are not expecting much from this movie. The story of playing a live-game has been witnessed before in movie LUCK but this was well-directed , well written and well-acted as well. The movie starts off with usual romantic stuff but gets to the point directly and keeps you engrossed till the actual drama unfolds. But main twist is in the end which is the highlight of the film and you will who is the main culprit here. Credit goes to the director for handling the thriller quite well. Acknowledgement for screenplay as well. Dialogues are good. Story is awesome. Songs are just about OK. Background score is nice. Cinematography is good. Performances by Rajeev Khandelwal and Paresh Rawal are brilliant. Both of them enact their part with conviction. Paresh Rawal surprises you with his versatile act.. in fact you are going to love his character. Rajeev Khandelwal is getting better with each film. You would appreciate his choice of films.

Table No.21 is edgy , engrossing , well-directed with superb performances and lovely twist at the end. Excellent - 4/5