This is Mani Shankar’s fourth film as a director and this is unarguably his best yet. After making a decent 16th December & two absolute disasters Rudraksh & Tango Charlie Mani Shankar earns respect with this one. What I like about Mani Shankar is that he has fearlessly gone into areas which no other film maker has ventured so far. From tackling terrorism to sci- fi to war drama he has always tried to make different cinema. This time he deals with the story of an Indian spy. The story is pretty interesting but somehow I felt there is something wrong in his screenplay.
It doesn’t involve you the way a film in this genre should. A theme like this has been brilliantly done before in Govind Nihalini’s Drohkaal. Here Mani tries to mix commercial elements in his screenplay structure. It has a half baked love story between Sameer & Raima. Even the relationship between Sameer & Om Puri is not developed. I feel if Mani Shankar directs a script not written by him he can deliver a much better film. After making 4 films he still needs that one film that will bring him into lime light. This is not that film. In terms of acting two performances stand out. Sameer in the lead role delivers a very honest & earnest performance. If there is one person who will benefit something out of this film, it is Sameer. The other actor is Sushant. He delivers a power packed performance. Om Puri is dependable as usual. Rahul Dev is a miscast in his role. A role of that kind needed a more powerful actor. There is nothing special about the special appearance by Kelly Dorjeee, Sunil Shetty & Jackie Shroff. Music is above average and does not harm or help the film.
Final Few Words: A film that will not leave any impact on the audience. If Govind Nihalani hadn’t made Drohkaal this film would have had some novelty factor. It might find its audience through DVD, VCD or through satellite telecast.
**½ (Above Average)
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