From the time of Cain & Abel, the fight and jealousy between brothers exist. When they are equally strong and intelligent the fight never ends. If at all it ends, it ends with one’s life. There is a saying everything is fare in love and war. When jealousy weapons with this hardcore belief the going get tougher. Money can make one betray trust. But where that will lead them?
Race is the story of half brothers Ranvir singh (Saif Ali Khan) & Rajeev singh (Akshay Khanna) who own a stud farm called Stallion in Durban, South Africa. Ranvir who like to live on edge and don’t give a second chance to people who betray is looking after the farm and business where Rajeev who love height and speed but is an alcoholic. At the opening of the film, Ranvir is been blocked by a big trailer and an attempt to murder was made but he was miraculously survived. Ranvir and Rajeev are insured for 100 Million each by their father which in turn work as a motivator for the villains in the film. Ranvir’s business activities are mainly looked after by his secretary Sophia (Katrina Kaif) who loves Ranvir, but not expressed her wish yet. Ranvir is however fond of Sonia (Bipasha Basu) but only waiting to propose. One fine day Rajeev meets Sonia and immediately attracted to her. Before half time, we are told that she had a history and her love is motivated. A deal is made, victim is selected, …plan is drawn. But…betrayal by one another creates interesting compositions which take your breath to see how the plan works out but whose plan it is! Remember, you are not yet to the interval. Before interval, the plan is executed but the film continues where inspector RD (Robert DCosta – Anil Kapoor) enter the scene with his funny secretary (Sameera Reddy) she is good in office work but a tube light when it come to thoughts. Watch and enjoy the film to find the story with suspense and thrill.
The movie can be easily branded as a suspense thriller. From the beginning, suspense is created and it is maintained till the last frame. Even at the end of the film the directors kept the audience on an edge which they may capitalize to make a sequel if the film is a hit. For a change the film give answers to most of the queries the audience generate which other films don’t bother. If we really watch film with curious mind the clues are woven beautifully from the beginning and each action have some reference which can help us to predict the future happenings. The story is good though it is been told several times earlier. All 5 major characters are holding similar thought process is strange. Still I can accept this where the fight between the equals are dealt beautifully. Abbas Mastan did a good job here. The first half was interesting throughout where I was checking my watch whether the film is going to finish in less than 1.30 hours, such was the finish till the interval. However, the second half dragged a bit but the added humour saved the audience from boredom and the film came back to higher thrills in the last 30 minutes. So I think the director duo can breaths a bit easy after this film.
Saif Ali Khan & Akshay Khanna, both were perfect! Anil Kapoor had to contain with a small role but he did the best and made his presence felt. Bipasha Basu, as usual was hot and good. Katrina Kaif remained cute but the boost her character got in the second half saved things for better for her. Sameera Reddy was good in her small but comic role.
Having said all, it is not a great movie which will be applauded for years. No. The leading two characters are justified to an extent for their actions but the two lady leads didn’t have any justification to most of their action and lost the character in the midway (One before the interval and the other after the interval.) The motivation/purpose of the characters is not strong enough where the events are unfolded beautifully and in pace. We will not find a compulsion on any of the characters where even a 200 Million is only 3 bets away from them. But for love, are they really for love? For that matter all those characters are perfect actors like every character in the film is a cheater!!! (Except for the hired villain who do things on faith for small money and don’t complaint!)
Cinematography of the movie is excellent. Beauty of Cape Town and Durban are caught in a mind blowing way! Sound affects too was good. Action is good. The scene where iron pipes are falling from the trailer was extra ordinarily brilliant. However, the final chase scene could have been better.
I enjoyed 2 songs from it the film. Superb Pehli Nazar Mein and Tempting Zara Zara touch me. Other songs were just average or below.
Choreography was ok, but nothing exceptional to boast. Editing is fine.
Horse racing is shown in the beginning and a mock villain was created earlier but a good symbolized message and hidden clue to the suspense was woven with it as well. When we know we can win the race we have an option to win the race or to score more with a failure. In the movie, the choice was of....
Overall, the movie is a good suspense thriller which glues you to screen most of the time.
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My rating 3.5 stars