At the end of the movie, I was disappointed - wishing for more. Because here was an ensemble cast delivering top-draw performances, a brilliant director, absolutely fabulous music - but . . . .
I think - the culprit is the script. There has been a malayalam adaptation of Othello - Kaliyattom - which worked much better. The central character of Othello - is the key. There is a an innocence, a naivete in the original, which for all his ability, Devgan is unable to assume. And it is not his fault either. His character, an important cog in the violent cow-belt political system, is that of a hired killer, who carries out his "jobs" with a certain chilling efficiency. It is difficult to believe he could be untainted by his surroundings, and his profession. In Kaliattam, Suresh Gopi is much more convincing as naive, dignified lover - who is essentially a temple servant - who has to stay pure in heart and life, so that he is unharmed when he enters fire as thee-Chamundi, during the festival.
The other weakness of the movie, is Kareena. She is weepy, whiny and wooden - and totally fails to get our sympathy. Bipasha, in a smaller, simpler role was much more convincing. Konkona is brilliant. It detracts from the movie - when out of the three female parts, the weakest link is the leading lady.
The build-up in the first half is arresting - langda tyagi, devgan, bipasha and the bleak landscape - all leave you breathless in the interval - waiting for the movie to restart. The second half, doesn’t live up to the billing, is hurried, clumsy at times, and the denouement - when it happens is somehow unsatisfying. It should have been the other way around, a slow build-up and absolutely stunning and hard-hitting climax. Kaliyattom works this way, and is much better.
Of course - these are the few flaws - that prevent the movie from being an all-time classic. It is definitely a must-watch; the music - flawless; beedi is peppy, naina thug lenge is haunting and alongwith Namak ishk ka will stay with you long after the visuals fade away. And Saif is simply awesome as Langda tyagi - and with his other release Being Cyrus, has announced his arrival as an actor of calibre.