Apr 22, 2011 10:43 AM
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(Updated Apr 22, 2011 10:46 AM)
Goa since years has been in the news, mostly for the wrong reasons. The murder of a British national, Scarlett Keeling had thrown the spotlight on the beach state for the whole world. Yes, Goa is a paradise but with its share of hellish elements-drugs, rape, rave et al. Naturally, this gives solid grounds to any filmmaker/writer worth his salt to come up with a solid thriller. And that’s what Rohan Sippy tries to achieve with Dum Maaro Dum. The film had generated considerable excitement but there were fears it would miss the aim. However, all fears can be put to rest as Dum Maaro Dum is simply electrifying! The narrative is fast-paced, performances are topnotch and you never know what will happen the next moment! In short, the film does give you a HIGH!
The story of the movie: When the negative reports on Goa become unbearable for its Chief Minister, he appoints ACP Vishnu Kamat (Abhishek Bachchan). His work – cleansing the state of all its illegal elements, including the sprawling drug business. On the other hand, there is Lorry (Prateik), 17 year old who is determined to go to US for further studies with his girlfriend (Anaitha Nair) but cant due to his financial woes. But he still has a chance if he agrees to do a small work for the druglords. Joki (Rana Daggubati) is a like a brother to Lorry who has stood as a silent spectator to the wrong goings-on around him. He loved Zoe (Bipasha Basu) but does nothing when she gets drawn into the big bad world of Lorsa Biscuta aka Biscuit (Aditya Pancholi), whose hand is on all business possible in Goa, including the wrong ones. All these lives collide as Vishnu Kamat goes on doing his job. However, he fails as a mysterious person hides all the 970 crore worth drugs somewhere. This mysterious person rises whenever the drug business has fallen into crisis and each time, he takes a new identity. This time, he’s named Michael Barbossa. Who is he and will Vishnu be able to find him and succeed in his mission?
Dum Maaro Dum as mentioned moves rapidly. There is couple of sub plots in the narrative but not much time is wasted on them and the focus remains on the main story. You do feel a bit restless in the beginning when the focus is simply on Prateik. However, once Abhishek enters the plot, the real thrill commences! His entry montage shots were terrific and creates awe for his character. Moreover, Vishnu Kamat isn’t the typical good cop chasing goons. He has his own style and doesn’t remain cool headed throughout. When his moves are frustrated, he has no qualms in banging the table hard, at times even throwing it upside down. He even has brutal ways of torturing convicts but his sense of style remains consistent. He even has a tragic past and all these make you sympathize and support his character!
The first hour is simply superb with not a single dull moment. Right from the psychedelic titles to the intermission point, the film thrills and keeps you hooked. However, in the post-interval portions, the film does fall at places. Also, eliminating couple of important characters didn’t go down well, at least with me. Yet, the film succeeds because of its unpredictability factor – You never know what will happen next. Also, the whole suspense regarding Michael Barbossa was simply outstanding and when the mystery finally reveals, it comes as a bolt from the blue! The climax (crematorium sequence) too is brilliant and only thing you want to do is applauding for the director and writer’s creativity!
Dum Maaro Dum goes to dizzying heights but it is a collective effort. If the script was watertight, then it was complimented well with a brilliant direction, fine performances, stunning camerawork and visually stunning effects! Hence, the credit goes to one and all! Talking about performances, Abhishek Bachchan takes the cake being the lead and also because of aforementioned, his wonderful character. Such a role needed someone who is manly and who has style and Abhishek fits to the T. I’ve always loved him in all his films and was disheartened to see that his films (some of them nice ones) were going flop at the BO. But with Dum Maaro Dum, iska bura time khatam! This film sure will be a hit and let’s hope his forthcoming films – Abbas Mustan’s Players, Dhoom 3, Rohit Shetty’s Bol Bachchan, Dostana 2, Ram Gopal Varma’s Department and Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Ladies and Gentleman succeed too!
Bipasha Basu looks stunning and as usual comes up with a terrific performance. She doesn’t merely remain eye/arm candy-she has an important role in the film too and plays it well. Rana Daggubati is a great discovery. Relegated on the backseat in the first hour, he shows his talent in the second hour and has an important part in the story too. And notwithstanding the rumours, Bips and Rana indeed have a great chemistry! Prateik doesn’t look like a 17 year old but was as usual terrific. The youngster is indeed a great actor, impressing in each and every film! But why term his role as ‘special appearance’?
Aditya Pancholi was simply superb in the negative role. It was a great to see him in a film after a hiatus (his last film was Striker) and hope we can see this fine actor in more films! Another such fine actor is Govind Namdeo (as Shankar Rane) who gets a role different from his rest of films and makes good use of it. Muzzamil (as Mercy) gives a very sweet performance. An actor to watch! Anaitha Nair looks very cute. The actor who plays Rikki, the Goan chief minister the fat bald beefy guy in Aditya Pancholi’s gang and Rikki’s girlfriend also do nice job in their supporting roles. Vidya Balan has a cameo and as usual looks ravishing. Her role is somewhat similar to what she did in Thank You but better written here. And lastly, Deepika Padukone was simply out of the world!
Pritam’s music is quite alright. Te Amo is foot tapping but its Thayn Thayn with its thrilling tune, vocals (by Abhishek himself) and picturisation makes it the best song of the lot! Mit Jaaye Gham has atrocious lyrics but Deepika saves the day! Also, both Thayn Thayn and Deepika’s number are promotional songs but are imbedded in the narrative. Midival Punditz has composed the background score which is much better and intriguing too.
Abbas Ali Moghul’s action is terrific, especially the scene shot amidst thousands of tourists at Arpora Market. Amit Roy’s cinematography simply takes away the breath. Definitely one of the contenders for Best Cinematography! Aarif Shaikh’s editing is slick and stylish. Visual effects compliment the film very well and give the film the much needed style and edge!
Shridhar Raghavan, the writer known for writing some of the best films like Khakee, Apaharan and Bluffmaster yet again comes up with a riveting story and script. I don’t know if it’s lifted from any Hollywood film (I don’t even care!) but its topnotch and the twists and turns shock you! Raghavan even penned the dialogues which was big strength of the film! Every sentence is witty and I was amazed that Raghavan was able to do it throughout the film! Hats off!
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