Jannat -
The promos showed everything you expect from Bhatt camp - A strong/hardhitting story(this one’s about match fixing), good music(zara sa and lambi zudai are good tunes and sizzling on TV) and yes Emraan Hashmi. The previous outing by Bhatt-Hashmi combo(Awaarapan) turned out to be a very good and intense film!Forget the BO outcome.
Jannat is the story of Arjun(Emraan Hashmi), who starts off as a smalltime gambler and is addicted to gambling. Arjun wants to get rich, real quick. It doesnt bother him how he gets the money or from whom he gets it. ecause of his gambling habit, he gets into trouble every now and then. His partner in crime is Vishal(Vishal Malhotra), who is constantly in fear because of Arjun’s wierd ways.
One day Arjun spots Zoya(Sonal Chauhan) at a shopping mall and falls for her. He tries to woo her by getting the most expensive gifts. The gifts, which Zoya could only dream about and could not buy.
Meanwhile, Arjun is yet to repay some loans he has taken from a certain, "not-so-good", Patel Bhai. In an attempt to repay the loan and also make some big money, Arjun starts betting on matches. And what makes him tick? His 6th sense of course.He can predict very easily( which he claims to be a combination of his calculations and his gut feelings) whats going to happen the next ball. Sometimes he can predict the result of the match as well:)
Next we know is he has himself become a full-time bookie and takes bettings on matches.He lies to Zoya that he is into some business and hes doing good.Arjun’s father(Vipin Sharma - the guy played Darsheel’s father in TZP), who is in idealist, warns Zoya about Arjun and his ways. But, ofcourse, Zoya who is madly in love with Arjun cannot see it. Meanwhile an Inspector(Samir Kocchar) is on Arjun’s trail. The inspector used to be a student to Arjun’s dad. He doesnt want Arjun to go too far on the path of crime.
Arjun is called upon by Abu(Javed Shaikh), a big fish in the international Mafia circle. Abu offers Arjun to fix matches for him(see he is getting promoted:)). Arjun takes Zoya, leaves India and joins Abu in Cape Town. Now he is into the big world/Ocean of match-fixing. He plays smart and makes lot of money for Abu. But good(or rather bad - in this case) things dont last long. The inspector from India, hot on Arjun’s trail, reaches Cape Town and spills beans about Arjun to Zoya. Zoya is shattered and gets angry at Arjun for hiding the truth. She turns him in and Arjun gets arrested. But Abu is too powerful. He doesnt want his best fixer to be in jail with the World Cup just a few months away. He gets out Arjun on bail. Arjun tries to find Zoya, once he is out. But she is nowhere to be found. Finally on one of his player-fixing escapades, he spots Zoya dancing in a club. Shocked, he meets her later. Zoya almost wins back Arjun. He decides to keep away from the match-fixing thing. But old habits die hard and also money doesnt come very easily when you try to live a honest life:) So, Arjun sets out for the last gamble(or so he thinks) of his life. Doesnt matter if Zoya is angry. She loves him and all will end well, thinks Arjun. Leading to the "Final Showdiown"
The makers had a very good topic on hand, but it remained good on paper. The screenplay writer(Vishesh Bhatt) and the director(Kunal Deshmukh) could not turn it into a completely engaging fare. Yes, there are engaging moments and scenes in the film, but they are too less and the overall impact is missing. The director and writer have taken too many cinematic liberties, especially with Arjun’s character. The best instance is - the way Arjun predicts the outcomes of matches.Its too lame. Why resort to such scenes?
Even if we choose to ignore the above loopholes. The story has nothing much to offer. The film maintains a good pace till the intermission. But after that it just doesnt go anywhere. The writing should have been much better in 2nd half.
Emraan Hashmi gives a spirited performance. Inspite of faulty characterization, he is convincing. Bhatts should consider of utlizing him better. Sonal Chauhan makes a good debut. She acts well and has the potential. Javed Shaikh, Samir Kochhar, Vishal Malhotra and Vipin Sharma are adequate.
Music by Pritam is good - Zara sa, Jannat Jahan and Lambi Judai are melodious and are placed fine in the movie.
Sanjay Masoom’s dialogues are good and some one-liners pack the punch!
Cinematography by Manoj Soni is ok.
Note - If you interested in the kissing scenes. There are couple of scenes(i would say frames rather). Blink and u wud miss those 1-2 secs on screen:)
Has the summer heat dried up all new releases of their stories, scripts, plots and performances!What’s wrong?
Still trying to figure out - is it the quality of films or is it my high expectations. All in all- My search for a good, entertaining film is still on:)
Jannat doesnt live upto the expectations. Give it a miss. If its cricket that excites you, IPL matches have better excitement and drama:)
Kuch Hazam nahi hua:-
Our inspector sahib from India leads a team of South African policemen and gives orders to them(like catch him, hold fire, do not shoot etc etc) and yes they listen to him:)