Barah Aana - a nice try but still it misses something which can prevent anyone to watch it, despite a great ensemble cast.
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah (as Driver Shukla), Vijay Raaz (as watchman Yadav), Arjun Mathur (as Waiter Aman), Tannishtha Chatterjee (as Rani), Violante Placido (as Kate), Benjamin Gilani (as Shukla’s master, Mr. Mehta), Jayati Bhatia (as Mrs. Mehta)
Directed By: Raja Menon
Plot: There are 3 so-called friends, and Aman and Yadav being room-mates. They drink together at nights, share their full day experience. One is a driver Shukla, who had to listen bad comments from his master’s wife Mrs.Mehta but never spoke a word. Other is a watchman Yadav, who had to do every work for his society whether its about calling someone from top floor of a lift-less building ofr to do other personal works after doing double shifts. And then there is this so-called waiter Aman, who has a crush on a Mumbai-living foreigner Kate but he has no money to impress her.
Then, by accidentally, one day because of Yadav’s mistake, they all become engaged in foul kidnapping thing. Yadav needed money, as he had to sent some money to his village as his son is not well there. But he was not able to get that money. He was frustated and by mistake he hit someone on his face and make him unconscious.
They started getting doing this commonly to get some amounts to pay all their daily needs and debts, until one day driver Shukla led them all to kidnap his mistress.
Pros: Well some scenes are worth watching, dialogues well written and acted very well. So be it. The last dialogue is worth mentioning - Shukla get bailed out from the court, as accroding to government records he is dead. So, in the last scene of movie, Yadav asked him, "Ye death certificate to bade kaam ki cheez hai, Kitne ka banta hai ye" (This death certificate is worth. How much this costs?)
Cons: The biggest negative point about the movie is Naseeruddin Shah, not because of his acting (noway!!), but because of his role given by the director. He didn’t utter a word in the whole movie. Just in the last moments of the film he spoke 4-5 lines. THAT’S IT!!! If you like "A Wednesday", you’ll certainly not like this movie, as this movie lacks pace, a good woven screenplay and Naseeruddin sir’s voice.
So, if you have a DVD watch it, but you can afford to miss this movie in theatres as Barah Aana - that costs too much.
Ruchir.