Flitting in and out of a room while a movie’s in progress does not involve “watching” the movie? Magar bhaisaab, I was avoiding Priyanka Chopra. What? Yes, I know she was crowned Miss World. It’s the how or why aspects to that question that I don’t understand. What? Bhaisaab, whatever you say, Indira Gandhi and Mother Teresa can’t certainly be the two living women she most respects. Why not? Because…what? Such irrelevant topics don’t concern this conversation? Ok, then what about Jamshedpur? Yes, the argument that Jamshedpur is in West India? Bhaisaab, she was born there! Common mistake?! Bhaisaab, come on…no? What? There was also Diya Mirza? She was Miss Asia-Pacific? That’s why I was taking that extra-long time to take a sip of Pepsi and exclaim “A-haa!!” Fine, keep your actresses, models and model-turned-actresses!
Are pageant contests also rigged as are cricket matches? (Did anyone watch the latest India –Pak “flick”?)
Alright, I’ll get off Priyanka Chopra and Diya Mirza and onto Blackmail. The movie’s good. No, it’s not breathtaking or anything, but it’s certainly passable.
And yes, to all those who expect all reviewers on Blackmail and Black to say that black is the colour this year, it certainly is. Now can I get on with this review? I’ve already gone overboard with the models…
The first half is sufficient to be “ok.” Except for the few parts where Priyanka Chopra goes all mom-like gaga over her son (this woman can’t act) and Diya Mirza is too quiet to be any good (Diya and Priya – partners in acting class), the actions tit-bits in the movie are good. Sunil Shetty is a cop and Ajay Devgan is a bad guy.
The story runs thus. Sunil Shetty was all out to get Ajay Devgan in. In, as into prison, chakki-pissing. Ajay Devgan, however, always managed to run amok and out of the hands of the good cop. The primary reason for this was the Devgan was simply an ally of the big bad Mumbai dons. Being a highly talented ex- race car driver, he helped our good old Mumbai mafia to transport their mal (loot) from one place to another. The police were unable to pin anything on him for ages, though, because although they knew he was linked to these dons, there was never any “substantial evidence” against him. After all, he didn’t keep the loot in the back of his car, did he? Then one day, when Shetty finally has some “evidence” to bung Devgan, he decides to flee with his pregnant wife. A bad decision because as soon as she gets into the car, she starts screaming. I didn’t get that bit – was it because she had begun to undergo labour pains or was it one of the things model-turned-actresses do when they’re scared? Anyway, she gives birth to a son, while Devgan’s in prison and then passes away. Meanwhile Devgan knows nothing of his son and Shetty adopts the boy.
As soon as Devgan’s completed his prison term, he begins to blackmail Shetty for ruining his family. He begins to send him those typical “blackmailing” videos, showing Shetty’s (infact Devgan’s) son. Now come on, why didn’t he pick on Chopra instead on that cute sweet guy? Beautiful wives makes good hostages too...
Anyway, story runs thus. Devgan kidnaps his son and the two have a ride, Devgan still not knowing the identity of the boy. What Devgan asks in return from Shetty is the location of his son, who he doesn’t know is with him. All would probably be fine, if not that Shetty had opened his big mouth and told Chopra of the story of Chiraag’s (the little boy) past. Because during a particular phone conversation between Shetty and Devgan, Chopra screams (squeals) out the truth.
What follows is a truly delightful song. “Tune di bekarari” is not only melodious, but is also quite moving. Devgan’s expression on realising the truth is delightful and heart-breaking.
What follows in normal predictable fiction. Devgan realises he can’t possibly fulfill his son’s dreams and ambitions with his reputation. Shetty still screams for his son and Chopra plays her part and fluently keeps changing her make-up, hair-style and clothes while her son is in the hands of a dangerous criminal.
To cut a long story short, Devgan dies in the end, after surrendering Chiraag to Shetty. Sad story. Boo hoo.
Seriously, the second-half of the movie is heart-wrenching. What with Devgan’s acting and the child’s expressions and the two glamourous model-turned-actress being present in the scenes (not!), the movie takes quite a sentimental turn from the first action-packed half but the audience isn’t worse off for it.
Sunil Shetty is acceptable.
Devgan again proves that he’s an actor of class and can live up to any role. His performance in “Kaal” is much awaited.
Chiraag (whose real name I haven’t figured out) is cute and plays his role to the hilt. I seriously get the impression that the kid had fun during the making of the film.
After Tehzeeb, Mirza is ok. She’s better than the other model-turned-actress in the movie, who I’ve spared for last. To her due, she didn’t get as large a chance of (mis)acting as Chopra did.
Priyanka Chopra should seriously consider other professions. Perhaps a study of India’s geography? Whatever she does, the screen-world is not the place where she’s most accepted. I wish her luck in her future endeavours and hope that it does not concern my senses of sight and hearing (and speech!).
On the whole, a good movie. Definitely worth a watch, if nothing to see Devgan’s work with Chiraag.