Being a big**(read very BIG)** bollywood fan, I was beginning to feel restless after Mid February. No major release at all. I m used to my** staple diet of Hindi films regularly.Jodhaa Akbar** was the last biggie and it took almost more than a month for the next one!!(of course there were some forgettable ones in between).
So when the advance booking opened for **RACE**, I booked the tickets for the first day..
*Tips Films** got the right kind of buzz for the film..Music rocking the charts, excellent publicity, awesome promos and moreover the presence of current heartthrob, **Chhote Nawaab**, in the film.
So what is Race all about ....
Race is the story of two Step brothers **Ranveer(Saif) and Rajeev(Akshaye)..**Ranveer is a shrewd, calculative and practical guy. His only weakness is his unconditional love for Rajeev. Whereas Rajeev is a laid back , casual guy. Rajeev’s weakness - alcohol They own a Stud farm in Durban, they breed horses and are one of the biggest bookies..The whole business is taken care by Ranveer alone. Rajeev is always drunk and has no interest in the going-ons of their business. Ranveer is ably assisted by his secretary **Sophia(Katrina) **in his work. Sophia adores Ranveer, but Ranveer looks unaware of her feelings.. **Sonia(Bipasha)** is an upcoming model and has befriended Ranveer. Ranveer and Sonia are very close and its only a matter of time when Ranveer is gonna "pop the question"! But fate has something else in store for them. At a party, Rajeev sees Sonia and falls for her. He promises Ranveer, that, if Sonia comes in his life, he would mend his ways.. Ranveer being the **good and responsible brother**, sacrifies his love. He distances himself from Sonia. Sonia finds comfort and new love in charming Rajeev..Rajeev and Sonia get close and just when Sonia thinks, Rajeev is gonna propose her. Rajeev startles her(and audience as well) with some of the documents/facts of Sonia’s life, which are obviously not portraying anything good about Sonia. Some crisp dialogues are mouthed and a deal is struck between them !! And it is very clear, they both care a damn about **LOVE..**All that matters is **MONEY..** They hatch a plan. A trap is laid for Ranveer!!
But still nothing is what it looks..Every character is having his own sinister plans..Loyalities keep changing..No one can trust the other!!Everything for **Money!!
A murder is committed and an Indian cop **RD(Anil Kapoor), ** along with his assistant **Mini(Sameera Reddy), ** is called upon for investigation. RD is a weird guy , a la Karamchand. He has his own ways and ofcourse his own moralities.
A lot more twists in the tale, some more secrets unveiled - leading to the** final RACE!!
First things first , **Race scores big time in following departments - **Starcast, Music, action sequences, a feverish pace throughout....
The story is nothing great, but it does have its moments..**Race is outstanding in Style department, but somewhere you feel it lacks enough substance. The execution could have been a lot better..
*Abbas - Mastan and their writer Shiraz Ahmed** should have worked more on the execution. The sequences could have been interwoven much better. Too many twists, too many surprises may cause the viewer confused..In short, the story could have been told in a better way, still not giving away the thrills!!
If not for the spirited starcast, Race could have been a below average product..
Starting with **Akshaye **- He easily slips into the chameleon act and gives a winning performance. He gets some of the best lines in the 1st half of the film and he clearly doesnt miss the opportunity..**Anil **is like old wine. His performances and versatility are getting better day by day. He still can give the younger lot a run for their money..He is laced with the corniest lines in 2nd half and brings a smile whenever he comes on screen!
The ladies - **Bipasha **looks sexy, performs and delivers her dialogues with sincerity..**Katrina** is adequate, however she gets good scope in 2nd half and doesnt disappoint. **Sameera**, as the dumb assistant to Anil, compliments him well.
*Johny Lever** in the one scene he has, manages to do well!!
But its **Saif’s character, **which has your focus all the time. He doesnt have the best lines. Its his sheer confidence and the way he has carried the role, that makes him stand out!! His look , his expressions and his dialogue delivery are superb!! Surely, he would be the most benefitted from this film!! Kudos **Saif, **definitely you have come a long long way since your Aashiq Aawara days :)
Director Duo Abbas Mastan have done better than their previous two ventures**(Naqaab and 36 China town). **But surely, Race is not one of their best works!! We expected more from you guys!!
Music by Pritam is very good. The tunes are racy and melodious.. But, again, the **placement of songs is poor(except for the Pehli nazar mein track). **Technically too the film is great- Cinematography by **Ravi Yadav** is superb(captures beautiful locales of South Africa very well)! Action by **Allan Amin** is good and is one of the plusses!!Special mention about the class styling by **Anahita Shroff Adjania.*
*Kuch hazam nahi hua:-*
One of the protagonist falls from the terrace of a high-storeyed building. The other two, who are present there, dont even bother to come down and check what happend to him..Strange!!
*A line which kept me in splits for a while:- **Anil has a sugarcane and asks Akshay - "Aap Khayenge?"..Akshay looks quizically.. Anil retorts - "Ganna hai.. Chusenge kya kehna?? theek nahi lagta..Isliye poocha khaayenge kya"...
All in all - Race is very high on style quotient!!! **Watch it for Saif, the other performances and a few well-executed scenes!! Dont expect too much and you will not be disappointed!!
My rating - **1/2(just above average)