Film: Ishqiya
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan
Genre: Crime
Direction: Abhishek Chaubey
Duration: 2 hours
Critic's Rating: Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan
Genre: Crime
Direction: Abhishek Chaubey
Duration: 2 hours
Story: Two crooks, Mamujan and Babban are on the run from another crook they have duped. They seek refuge with a friend's widow who turns out to be as crooked as them. The threesome hatch a plot to get rich quick. But, do they succeed?
Movie Review: Ishqiya is a zany little black comedy that may be completely desi in its idiom, its lingo, its landscape. Yet, when it comes to drama, it is totally Hollywood. Debutant director Abhishek Chaubey tells his story with a panache that falters only in the end. Ironically, if he hadn't faltered in winding up this delectable little tale of a wicked trio, with nothing to lose not even their morals -- he would have created a masterpiece. But the last few reels are so much of a rumble-tumble, they leave you both confused and somewhat dissatisfied.
But till you reach the slipshod resolution of the story, Ishqiya is pure delight. Both in terms of the narrative that moves from one tangy twist to another; and in terms of the performances, which are so zippy, they fill you with beans. Naseeruddin Shah lives and breathes the role of the wily and somewhat wizened Mamujan who doesn't balk at falling on his would-be assassin's feet, begging for mercy. Nor does he see anything amiss in colouring his beard black, when the wily widow, Krishna (Vidya Balan) sets his testosterone in play with her seductive song and guile. But Arshad Warsi doesn't want to be left behind as Babban, the rustic rogue and matches him crooked step for step. And the duo are totally bindaas as rivals in love, ready to beat each other to pulp for the charms of Krishnaji. As for Krishnaji: Vidya Balan truly deserves another wow after her scintillating show in Paa. This time, she does a complete volte face to her Parineeta image, flashing her eyes, sucking thumbs and setting out the details for a kidnap plot, with unbridled glee. Truly, this ones a magical threesome that sets the explosive backdrop literally on fire with their everything's-fair-in-love -- and petty crime -- principles.
But till you reach the slipshod resolution of the story, Ishqiya is pure delight. Both in terms of the narrative that moves from one tangy twist to another; and in terms of the performances, which are so zippy, they fill you with beans. Naseeruddin Shah lives and breathes the role of the wily and somewhat wizened Mamujan who doesn't balk at falling on his would-be assassin's feet, begging for mercy. Nor does he see anything amiss in colouring his beard black, when the wily widow, Krishna (Vidya Balan) sets his testosterone in play with her seductive song and guile. But Arshad Warsi doesn't want to be left behind as Babban, the rustic rogue and matches him crooked step for step. And the duo are totally bindaas as rivals in love, ready to beat each other to pulp for the charms of Krishnaji. As for Krishnaji: Vidya Balan truly deserves another wow after her scintillating show in Paa. This time, she does a complete volte face to her Parineeta image, flashing her eyes, sucking thumbs and setting out the details for a kidnap plot, with unbridled glee. Truly, this ones a magical threesome that sets the explosive backdrop literally on fire with their everything's-fair-in-love -- and petty crime -- principles.
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