So true a fool is love, that in your will,
Though you do anything, he thinks no ill
Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, justifies Shakespeare’s wisdom. Once again. This Macbeth-revisited lust-stained-love-story is credited with some superb performances, great dialogues and a highly under promoted yet gripping soundtrack. Writer-Director Tigmanshu Dhulia is in full form and its apparent that he has enjoyed himself tweaking the trajectory of his characters at will, igniting quirky situations and absorbing responses.
Dhulia goes back to the brilliance of his directorial debut film ’Haasil’. The setting is Uttar Pradesh. Coloured language is seeped in the context of the conflicting royalty and rusticity. And there are many dialogues which are clap-n-whistle worthy. It is also a film that showcases explicit sex scenes in an attempt to justify the sexual politics that decides the fate of its characters.
The performances are top notch. Be it the main lead, the supporting cast and even minor characters (Mahi’s deaf n dumb confidante for example) play a pivotal role in making the film an engrossing watch. Jimmy Shergill internalises the cynicism, natural royal appeal and the licence-to-be-an-ayyash persona expertly. He has some of the best lines in the film. Mahi Gill dabbles with madness and smartness with a calculated ease. Randeep Hooda displays loutish body language that goes right with his rogue character. When he coaxes Mahi to massage his legs, the aspirational designs of his character filters through subconsciously. Vipin Sharma as Gainda Singh is very good and so is the guy who plays the minister.
Music is the surprise package of the film. Especially because it has not been promoted that well. Saheb bada hatela, Chu Chu and Jugni are special numbers and add value to the narrative of the film. Aseem Mishra’s camerawork is very good. The pace of the film slackens at times though the climax more than makes up for it.
Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster is a fine piece of cinema. But, since it is inspired from Macbeth, one can’t help but recall Vishal Bharadwaj’s ’Maqbool’ which had the same plot. Dreaded don, his cheating wife, the confidante-turned-enemy aided by sexual jealousy. All said and done, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster has enough merits to earn your ticket. Try it out.
Star rating: 3 1/2 stars.