Sarovadya Visuals 88 Antop Hill, produced by Kiran Shroff and directed by Kushan Nandy, stars Atul Kulkarni, Suchitra Pillai, Shweta Menon, Rahul Dev and newcomer Jasmine.In the trailors, they are showing as if this film is horror movie and something really great, but this isn`t a horror film.It seems to be a JOKE.I had great expectations from this film, because it seemed to be different, with an unusual star cast, but what it turned out to be was a great DISAPPOINTMENT.
THE CHARACTERS AND PERFORMANCES
1.Pratyush(Atul Kulkarni):Pratyush, is a loving husband who lives with his daughter and wife.Once, his wife is suspicious about him, having an affair with someone else, so he slaps her and that is why, his wife leaves him.That night, Pratyush receives a phone call, which changes his life!Atul Kulkarni, has worked in sensible films like Hey Ram, Chandni Bar, Satta and Mango Souffle, but what happened to him this time?This time, not only his characterization but performance is also poor!He has done nothing, excpet for acting very nervous, and through his face expressions, showing his depression.Actually, he was depressed, because he was acting in this film and this expression helped the director, alot, because this character had to be shown as a depressed man, and the person playing this character was also depressed.Nice idea!
2.Antara(Suchitra Pillai):Antara, is the wife of Pratyush, who loves her husband but is doubtful that, he is having an affair with his college friend!This is the reason, why Antara leaves her husband, along with her daughter.Suchitra Pillai has only two scenes, in which she has performed!She has no role at all, and she has nothing to do with the film!She was seen in some films like Dil Chahta Hai and Satta before.In both the films, she had a special appearance, this time also, she is in a special appearance.
3.Teesta(Shweta Menon):Teesta is a prostitute, who lives in 88 Antop Hill.She has no relative and lives alone in a room.She is completely shameless and she once had a boyfriend who left her and went to a girl Sonali.Teesta is also a seductress who seduces a simple person like Pratyush.Shweta Menon in this film has done, what she has been doing since many years.I mean EXPOSING.Also, her voice was dubbed, in this film.Now, one can imagine, how disinterested she was in this film, that she could not use her own voice for this film!This film does not revolves around 88 Antop Hill but is about Teesta and that is why I think that this film should have been titled as TEESTA.
4.Inspector Arvind(Rahul Dev):Inspector Arvind is a hard-working cop, who is investigating the case of Teesta`s murder.Because of his hard work and sincerity, he finds out the truth behind Teesta`s murder.Rahul Dev was last week seen in Supari, in which his work was appreciable, but this week, he has done nothing which would impress us.He was told to speak his lines, and he did so.He spoke his dialogues, with an expressionless face.He was disinterested in the film and we can`t blame him because the character and the film, both are boring!
5.Sonali(Jasmine):Sonali, lives with her brother, Prashant, who is suspected to be the murderer of Teesta.Sonali, is in love with her boyfriend K.K, and is soon going to marry him, but her brother, Prashant gets kidnapped!Jasmine, is really talented and good-looking.She can really act well, but her character was half-baked, and she has been shown a dangerous lady, in the climax, which seems unnecessary.Poor characterization!Next time, to showcase her talent, Jasmine should do better films!
THE PLOT:
Throughout, the film, I couldn`t understand the story because there were three things in the film.
1.Darkness
2.Teesta`s room
3.A disco
Still, I can explain you the story!The story revolves around a simple man, Pratyush, whose wife leaves him because she is doubtful that he is having an affair with someone else.That night the couple has a small fight and Pratyush`s wife leaves him.Pratyush is left alone and sad!That night, he receives a call from his friend, Aslam, that his life is in danger, and he is at 88 Antop Hill!Pratyush, runs to that place and when he enters, he finds a prostitute, Teesta, over there.Teesta tries to seduce Pratyush, and Pratyush asks her about Aslam.She says that he wanted Pratyush to spend a night with her.Pratyush, is nervous.That night, Teesta, takes Pratyush to a bar and there they have a chit chat.When they come to Teesta`s home, Pratyush asks Teesta to give him his car`s key.She asks him to wait and when Teesta goes to her room, she is murdered by someone!Pratyush, runs out of that place but he is a suspect of the murder.
THE WORK OF THE CREW:
Kushan Nandy`s direction, is poor!The film is not interesting at all, and there is no scene, which the viewer would watch seriously!The director in the trailors has said ’’THE BIGGEST MYSTERY FILM EVER’’, but actually this is the biggest dirty joke ever.This is not the way to earn money by showing the film as a horror movie, and attract people!Screenplay is weak!There is no gripping or suspenseful scene in the whole film.The viewer gets tired of watching so many dull characters, doing weird things without any reason!Editing is loose!The film is filled with so many scenes which are not needed and seems to be stretched!The only plus points are cinematography, special effects and sound effects.Hats off to the technicians of this film!Technically, this film is of Hollywood style!Uttank Vora`s music is unattractive and the only interesting song is Besharam!
ON THE WHOLE:
There is no reason to watch 88 Antop Hill because it fails in everything, be it performances, script, screenplay direction etc.The film wouldn`t make you entertained or interested in it so GIVE IT A MISS!