Oct 09, 2006 05:54 PM
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Review was first published in cinema.com.my but it's my review still.
After the previously dismal outing of “Kuch Naa Kaho”, the pairing of director Rohan Sippy and leading man Abhishek Bachchan most certainly got it right this time. “Bluffmaster” is a blast to watch and Abhishek proves yet again why he is currently India’s hottest and most bankable star.
For all too long Bollywood movies has been dragging its feet when it comes to originality but it’s the little gems like “Bluffmaster” that keeps us believing Indian cinema is not TOTALLY dead yet. “Bluffmaster” is nothing but pure fun through and through. A delight to watch especially in the wakes of useless slapstick comedies that has been hitting the cinemas lately (think “Deewane Huye Pagal” – yuck).
What makes “Bluffmaster’ stands apart is the script. Rarely, if not ever, have you had such a tongue in cheek comedy littered with chuckle inducing lines and subtle comedic moments that completely steals the show when it comes to Hindi movies. Nana Patekar off course, had some of the best moments and the second half of the film was his through and through.
The movie opens with Roy (Abhishek, oozing plenty of charm) telling the world that “ Na biwi na bachha na baap bada na maiyan, the whole thing is that ke bhaiya sabse bada rupaiya” We then learn that Roy is the best conman around and for him his best weapon is his brain – no guns, bullets and bombs necessary for him because ‘guns are only used by people to compensate for the lack of brains’. For Roy, there is only two things, the con, and his lady love – Simmi (Priyanka Chopra).
However, when Simmi finds out the truth about Roy’s ‘occupation’, she promptly ends their engagement and walks out of his life. A now heart broken Roy swears to clean up his act but instead, meets Aditya, or Dittu as he calls himself, (Ritesh Deshmukh in superb comedic timing) a bumbling wannabe conman who has too much ego and well, not enough brains. Dittu declares Roy as his ‘guru’ and convinces Roy to teach him the art of the game.
The cast that Director Rohan Sippy has put together fleshes out “Bluffmaster” nicely. Abhishek as the heartbroken Roy proves that he’s more than just the son of living legend Amitabh Bachchan, infusing emotions in scenes with merely a look even as he slips easily in and out of cons. Ritesh Deshmukh surprises with impeccable comic delivery. His Dittu complements the lead duo and breaks Roy’s restraint character.
Nana Patekar as Chandu, like I mentioned earlier, completely steals the show though. He’s cocky, arrogant and completely shrewd. In fact, he’s exactly the type of character you’ll love to hate and yet, that’s what makes him so good that you’ll love Chandu by the time the movie wraps up. Gives you a whole new take on the meaning of self–worship.
The opening song Sabse Bada Rupaiya in all honesty, was actually terrible, but delivered with so much aplomb by Abhishek in the song clip that it had me reeling with laughter. Best pick in the tunes is definitely Right Here Right Now, a sensual grooving beat that you’ll be humming when you walk out of the theatre.
At the end of the day, Bluffmaster is entertaining and doesn't pretend to do more than that. You won’t regret watching this one.
