"Shootout at Lokhandwala" , when this movie was announced.I thought Apoorva Lakhia will get it right this time(after the debacle of "Mumbai se aaya mera dost" and "Ek Ajnabee").Apoorva, messes up the opportunity.But again, Apoorva cannot be blamed solely.When u decide to make a film out of an incident or an encounter, what you need is an excellent and a gripping screenplay.
But what we see is a poor rehash of some of the previous gangster movies for most of the part of the film and in the penultimate reels, somewhat engaging, encounter sequence.
I dont say that the movie(in the earlier part) is a scene to scene lift from some other flicks, but its uninteresting, nevertheless.Apoorva has made no efforts to present it with novelty.Thats the biggest flaw.
Coming to the plot: - There’s nothing much to write about.Maya Dolas(Vivek Oberoi) is managing the extortion business in Mumbai, for Dawood. Dawood controls Maya and his gang from Dubai.Assisting Maya are his 5 trusted men.One of them is Buwa(Tushar Kapoor). Buwa has a soft corner for a bar dancer Tarannum(Aarti Chabria). Maya’s gang terrorises the major businessmen in Mumbai for money.Maya’s mother(Amrita Singh) asks maya to takeover Mumbai and become an Independent Don.
Parallely we have ACP Khan(Sanju Baba), who with the permission of his superior, forms ATS(anti terrorism squad). However the main intention of this squad is to bump off or encounter the wanted/dangerous criminals, rather than bringing them to justice.Khan’s team include Javed(Arbaaz Khan), Kaviraj Patil(Suniel Shetty) also.
For the most part of movie, we have Maya and his gang extroting businessmen, then going to a dance bar, sing a song.Then Khan and his Men pressurize the families of Maya and his associates, for information.Then, Maya and his men threatening Khan and his associates.One more extortion, one more song.By this time we are tired.
The movie reaches the main point, when Dawood realises that Maya has become too big for his boots and tips his hideout to Khan.However its a rumour, insists Khan.Khan says he got tip off from one of his informer.What follows is a bloody and gory encounter.The rest is the only engrossing part of the movie.
After the encounter, Khan and his men have to fight a case, against Human rights comission.They hire Dhingra(BigB).Actually this is where the movie begins, the story mentioned above is in flashbacks.
*Performances:-
*Sanjay Dutt does what he is best at.He is good.Suniel Shetty is as usual.Arbaaz is impressive.
Vivek’s performance really stands out, though his role is similar to the one he played in company, he still impresses.Tushar doesnt fit the role.Amrita Singh is brilliant.Aarti Chabria, Neha Dhupia and Diya Mirza are okay.Rohit Roy and all other who play Vivek’s cronies are just about okay.The real life cop Khan is good.Amitabh impresses in an insignificant role.Abhishek is wasted .
Music is of the fast forward types.Only Ganpat Rap is hummable.Background score is good.Cinematography is good overall.
Screenplay wise the movie falters.How one hopes it had more meat and depth to it.
Direction is fine.
Overall Diappointing!