Prologue:
Ek villain is a story of a goon turned good boy turned semi-bad boy Guru and a talkative Aisha. They meet, they fall in love, they get married. And then an evil eye casts its shadow on them. Aisha is murdered. Guru seeks out revenge from the murderer. Some twists and turns and an unpredictable climax.
Plot:
As per the journalists, this movie is a take-off from “I saw the devil” with lesser blood and more romance. That may be true, but even if it is, the movie looks different and is treated in a fabulous manner. The story of bad boy turned good and then seeks out to take revenge may sound like a typical 70s Amitabh bachan flicks(no wonder there was a scene with Sid on stage and Shehenshah on the 70mm screen) but it manages to keep you riveted to your seats and waiting for the next turn of events. I will not divulge the details. The reason why the villain kills Aisha is a little unconvincing, but so is the fact that there are so many hideous crimes against women.
The pinwheel concept to identify the real murdered was unconvincing and childish though. Pinwheel? Really? In Mumbai you can get pinwheel at every nook and corner. Then what was so very special about Aisha’s pinwheel?
The butterflies, snowfall and sea beach(with glow worms) scene’s animation was very 90s standard.
All I can say is, (at the risk of sounding oxymoron), the movie is predictable yet unpredictable. If nothing else, then this plot will definitely inspire you to watch the Korean flick(the so called original movie)
Direction/Editing:
Mohit Suri’s direction was good in Ashiqui2 but this movie takes his directorial abilities to a much higher level. The way he has treated this movie clearly shows how clear the concept was in his mind. The surety about the treatment of the movie is well reflected in the outcome. His directorial abilities have a hint of Bhatt camp into it and this makes it even more interesting.
Editor has done a great job by cutting the scenes at the right moment and deftly keeping the length of the movie at a suitable time to keep the interest of audience intact.
Star cast:
Shradha shows huge improvement as compared to her earlier flicks. The docile Arohi has been replaced by a super talkative Aisha. She is beautiful with a peach milk complexion that dazzles on screen. But the regular chattering and jokes get on your nerves at times. She tries to become Geet meets Alia(Highway) meets Parineeti meets other good actresses and the effort to outdo her contemporaries is evident in some scenes.”Jab tak hum kisi ke humdard” dialogue is suddenly so slow that it seems she is on a sedative. Good performance but nothing to rave about except her beauty.(and voice).
Sidharth is one actor who is a complete “hero” material in every sense.Good looks, impeccable acting skills, husky voice, intense eyes and lanky build.I praised him in my Student the year review, then again in HTP but through Ek villain he sets the bar real high for himself and contemporaries. The scenes without him look incomplete. He is a complete package and I wish he keeps on choosing movies as carefully as he is now and may he keep on outperforming himself. You go boy!The Khan-Kumar era is coming to an end courtesy Malhotra-Dhawan-Kapoor-Singh fraternity.
Riteish-He was the surprise package. Nobody dared to explore this side of Riteish and im glad Suri tapped into his potential.The4-5 heroes wali comedy movies were good but he showed his acting prowess through Rakesh’s character. A middle class man who loves his wife but is troubled by the daily nagging and being mediocre. Being a murder is his way of showing his pent up frustration and he looks quiet convincing. Especially in the last scene when he shamelessly provokes Sid and then the way he reacts at sudden turn of events.Riteish and Sid are the souls of this movie.
Remo as Gangster?Seriously.It felt as if he will start a rap track or will do a jig while shooting his opponents.Who offered him this role?Why this deadly attempt at turning a thriller into a comedy flick?Is there a dearth of villains in Bollywood? Why not Prakash Raj or Gulshan grover or Shakti Kapoor for that matter?
KRK-you actually are a 2Re man.Please leave India and never come back.
Amna shareef was really irritating.But that’s what she was meant to be. Nagging and complaining wife.Prachi was cold and not worthy of an item song.
Music:
The best music album of this year.All the songs are outstanding.This movie deserves 5/5 on this front.Teri Galliyan is the national anthem now.Awari stays in your heart and mind. Tough competition to the bar set by Ashiqui2.Filmfare award for best music/male singer seems predictable after hearing this movie’s songs. Shardha surprised us with teri Galliyan(female) track.She has an alternate career option readily available .
Memorable scenes:
1)Madam, don’t worry.ab apko koi shikaayat nahi hogi(repeated n number of times)
2)Guru watches a boy scared for his life under a cart and spares him.
3) The bond between the kid and Sid
4)Romantic scenes of Sid-Aisha
5)Sid lands a job and Riteish’s entry scene.
6)Figuring out the puzzle why Aisha was killed.
All in all a nice flick.Can be used as a warning for nagging and annoying wives.”jaise cigarette pine se cancer hota hai waise hi sharp tongue wife se pati ritesh ban jata hai” or “statutory warning-nagging is injurious to your husband’s mental state”
Final verdict: 4 stars for this riveting thriller with superb performances by the hero and the villain.