White feather films have been known for stylish productions but they’ve always encountered problems of’copying’ films from around the world and even in some cases being sued for the scenario. So when this film was launched, Mr Sanjay Gupta has told us that Apoorva Lakhia would be directing this film and it would be something original. To be honest, I found this comment of his, truly hillarious!
Though Shootout At Lokhandwala happens to be a real life incident, Gupta doesn’t keep his word because some scenes are actually lifted from other films in the west but for some reason you dont mind it - truly because he has a plot and performance to make this one of the best films of 2007 and credit goes to everyone’s contribution towards this action drama.
We start off with getting to know the main lead characters in an enquiry, where Dingra(Amitabh Bachchan) is questioning S.S.Khan(Sanjay Dutt) and his associates Jawed(Arbaaz Khan) and Kaviraj Patil(Sunil Shetty) about their’so called’ wrong doings of the encounter of Maya Dolas(Vivek Oberoi) and his gang.
The main pointer of this film isn’t the story but it’s the writers explaining to us, that each major event in the world has rumours and one goes by the rumour that he/she believes in. You only believe what you want too and this film very cleverly puts us into a daze by not really being clear as to who exactly tipped off the encounter. Was it a snitch or was it truly the dreaded Dawood Ibrahim - after the watching the film, your still not clear and thats where this film wins!
Performances are in full form here with Sanju Baba and Vivek Oberoi stealing the show but not to forget Sunil anna, Arbaaz Khan, Ronit Roy. Amrita Singh was also brilliant as Aai playing mother to Vivek. I thought even Tusshar Kapoor did a adequate job but his performance was spoilt via his scene with him threatening Sunil anna - which actually makes you laugh.Diya, Neha, Aarti all do there jobs adequately.
My only real problem with this film was the song placement, which hinders the flow of the movie and is rather annoying. Also, I feel that the editing was not up to the mark, with scenes coming in and out for no reason.
Barring these downsides, this film has class, substance and actually leaves a mark on you.
Do wait for these particular scenes
The killing of Abhishek Bachchan
Sanjay Dutt finding the Sikh terrorists hideout and his interview before
Vivek’s entry
Vivek getting Bhua into his gang
Amrita Singh telling Vivek about making his own gang
Sunil killing Aslam kasai
Vivek stamping on the snitch’s brother outside a Temple
Sanju Baba and Vivek at the restaurant
Amrita pleading Sanju Baba, to be leniant in the encounter
The killing of the gang members
Also do watch Sunil and Arbaaz’s conversations - pure humour, if you look at it in the right manner.*
If your a Hindi film fan, dont miss it and yes, it’s very violent!*