In one of the many ridiculous sequences of Shortcut Romeo, Neil Nitin Mukesh and his friends are shown going on a world tour. But since the budget of the film allowed the makers to fly only to Kenya, they hit upon an idea. Neil and his pals were made to stand in front of several pictures of famous world landmarks, hoping that audiences would believe that the film was actually shot at these places! This and many such scenes make Shortcut Romeo an unintentionally laughable and nerve-wracking adventure!
The story of the movie: Suraj (Neil Nitin Mukesh) is a small-time conman in Goa who believes in taking shortcuts to get rich. He soon shifts to Mumbai to stay with his mama (Major Bikramjeet) who is also a cop. The day he lands in Mumbai, Suraj sets his eye on Monica (Ameesha Patel), who is married to the very very rich Rahul (Rajesh Shringapure). Monica however is leading a sexless life and one day gives into the advances of Rahul’s friend Ashish (Jatin Grewal). She gets intimate with Ashish and Suraj, knowing something is brewing between the two, shoots a video of their act. He blackmails them into giving him loads of money. He buys cars, expensive gadgets and goes abroad with this money. Monica-Ashish’s attempts to eliminate him prove futile. While in Kenya during his ‘world tour’, he comes across Sherry (Puja Gupta) and falls in love with her. He even has a change of heart and decides to quit blackmailing Monica forever. However, fate has other plans.
Shortcut Romeo is supposed to be a suspense thriller. But barring a few twists and sequences that catch the eye, there’s nothing in the film that really impresses. The film drags at several places and songs commence unexpectedly that takes away all interest from the film whatsoever. And not to forget, the legendary ‘world tour’ scene too contributes in the film’s debacle. Individualistically, Suraj’s flashback stands out but as part of Shortcut Romeo, it just needlessly adds to the length. Moreover, the manner in which Monica tries to undermine Suraj knowing very well that she has no chance since the latter has her intimate footage looks like an amateurish attempt on the part of the writers and filmmakers.
The leading actors play their part but again, isn’t memorable enough. Neil Nitin Mukesh plays his kameena act with gusto. He shines in the Kenya sequence where he gets bashed up by the tribals. However, it pains to see such a fine actor who made one of the best Bollywood debuts ever (Johnny Gaddaar) and who has doing fine with films like New York and Lafangey Parindey is now doing such pathetic films that don’t arouse excitement in majority of the viewers. Ameesha Patel is cute and good to see the actress doing a full-fledged role after a hiatus. Puja Gupta sizzles in the Kenya scenes and plays her part well. Rajesh Shringapure is alright and so is Jatin Grewal. Director Susi Ganesh plays a detective in the film. His entry scene is dramatic and hero-like that was just not required. The actors who play Neil’s friends were strictly okay. Major Bikramjeet plays his part with earnest. Vrajesh Hirjee is funny but was wasted.
Himesh Reshammiya’s music is okay. Songs were unnecessary and barring Khaali Salaam Dua, none were nicely incorporated in the film. Bapi-Tutul and Gaurav Dasgupta’s background score is exciting, but at select places. N K Ekhambram’s cinematography is sans complaints. Ilashree Goswami’s dialogues are nothing classic. Susi Ganesh’s story might have made for a good thriller. But direction is extremely haphazard. Plus, the film is needlessly long (145 mintues almost) and by the film it ends, the impact created by few good scenes vanishes in thin air. The humour is absent and few scenes meant to evoke laughter fall flat (esp Vrajesh Hirjee introducing the item girls…embarrassing!).
On the whole, Shortcut Romeo is a very weak thriller which is needlessly long, riddled with some unnecessary songs at unexpected places and some embarrassing scenes. Give this a miss, without a shred of doubt!
My rating- * ½ out of 5!