To begin with, Johnny Gaddaar is an exceptionally good suspense thriller. I went to the movie without any expectation and for me it was a super lottery. I believe even with some expectation the film will be enjoyed by many.
What mades a Gaddaar a Gaddar? A deceiver is one who attains trust from others and works against the trust to betray those who supported him, promoted him and wished for his best. Indeed it is difficult to understand the mind of such a person. But what promote a simple looking trust worthy person to be a Gaddaar? Greed for quick money, fame, power or woman (Men too) make one to be a Gaddaar for once. In early morning of December, we enter the bathroom and to get into showers. Think of pouring the cold water on our body…the first and second cup will send shivers across the body…After that? We enjoy the shower….So is the feeling of a Gaddaar!!! He becomes a Gaddaar for ever. He cheats everybody. He finds an opportunity in every situation. Some times luck too comes his way. When somebody advises him he is going in a wrong path, he listens to him as a little sheep. But never ever fail to honour his status as Gaddaar!
What is the fate of a Gaddaar? Bible says, "The wage of sin is death..… A sin which grow, matures and give birth to death." Is there any other way for life for a Gaddaar?
Welcome to the world of Gambling. Seshadri (Dharmendra), Vikram [Neil Nitin Mukesh], Shardul (Zakir Hussein), Prakash (Vinay Pathak) & Siva (Daya) were partners of a Gambling centre where Lakhs and Lakhs are traded every day & night. They not only engaged in gambling, but in illegal trading as well. An opportunity comes there way in the form of French furniture, worth 5 Crores offered for a price of 2.5 Crores. The 5 share 50 Lakh each and go for the product. The Gaddaar love to read detective novels and see suspense movies. Inspired by an Amitab’s film, plan to rob the 2.5 crores before the deal itself as he knows even if the deal is successful he will receive only a share and in this process Siva who was the carrier of money accidently killed. Unlike other films, like in a James Hardly Chase novel, the viewer knows who the killer is where the partners don’t know it. More than a shot is fired after the initial accident!!!
The best part of Johnny Gaddar is its strength in script and characterization.
The plots and sub plots are well arranged like flowers in a bouquet. Seshadri is an old person and his love to his late wife is shown in few scenes and the writer director uses it to add the feeling in another point. (Exceptionally well presented) Shardul’s wife Mini (Rimi Sen) loving Vikram & like ice…who run away from the old Shardul to young Vikram complaining Shardul want a child of him from her. The scenes between Mini & Vikram when Shardul is around and the police officer suspect them and even at end is top class. Prakash’s relation with his wife (Ashwini Kalsekar), the character of his wife and his way of approaching his wife to convince for pledging their only rest property all are nice. What about few last scenes? Brilliant! Overall, the story, screen play and direction are excellent. Good scenes with nicely described characters, well executed situations to show the character, express an intention and entertainment to the viewer.
Performances too are very good. Neil Mukesh was fantastic. The youngster will be seen in more films now. Dharmendra delivers another hit where his performance even at this age is of class. As told by him through the character, it is not the age, but the mileage. True. Selection of Zakir Hussein & Vinay Pathak is apt for the characters they played and the beauty is that each one is different in every sense. Rimi Sen gives another fine performance where Ashwini Kalsekar shows us how to give an impressive performance with a short role. Simply Superb!!!
Music just comes and goes in background but the meaning rendered by it prevails. Choreography is just ok. Nothing great.
Cinematography is another fine aspect of JOHNNY GADDAAR. Very good.
Then, any drawbacks? Surely yes.
Loss of 2.5 crores didn’t make any great impact in the partners is surly not justified or explained. They were behaving just like usual. The climax was surely with a suspense and good too. But the director failed to create a greater impact. Mini’s character lack depth and the reason for her running away was not that convincing. However, I think we will forgive such loose ends where most of the departments do exceedingly well.
Some fine moments from the film:
1. Dharmendra’s last scenes in the movie.
2. Vinay Pathak rubbing legs of Ashwini to convince her to pledge the parlour.
3. Vikram’s scenes with Dharmendra, Zakir Hussain & Rimi Sen.
4. Vinay Pathak’s selection of people for the gambling.
5. Ashwini’s scenes near the dead body.
6. The police officer’s questioning of Shiva’s girlfriend. And lot more….
The movie has a good comedy touch in a higher level of it, but no expressed comedy. The film is not for children or light hearted woman or men. However, the film entertains one if they are ready to accept that in reality the world of Gambling is more dark and intense. A bit of editing may be better, especially to make it more acceptable to larger audience.
Overall, the movie is a good suspense thriller. The story screenplay direction matches to the class of METRO. The director Sriram Raghavan worth more than an applaud and the film is a good watch for one who love good cinema which entertain in more than a way!