3 KAMINEYS!. Review on Ishqiya

Please read my review on HARISHCHANDRACHI FACTORY HERE, in case you havent: https://mouthshut.com/review/Harishchandrachi_Factory-185338-1.html

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When our directors think of making thriller cum action flicks, they automatically base their idea in foreign countries. At such times, one should applaud Vishal Bharadwaj for consistently coming up with some fine thrilling fares which are based entirely in a part of our country. Maqbool, Makdee, Omkara, Kaminey…all were shot in desi land and succeeded in impressing the audience too. His latest, Ishqiya, directed by debutant Abhishek Chaubey, continues with his tradition. Set in eastern UP, the film has some terrific moments and is overall completely unpredictable. However, it’s in the 2nd half where the film falls at some places. More details later!

The story of the movie: Khalujaan (Naseeruddin Shah) and his nephew Babban (Arshad Warsi) steal money from their boss Mushtaq (Salman Shahid) and reach the city of Gorakhpur to seek refuge at a friend’s house. However, when they reach there, they come to know that his friend is no more. They are reluctantly welcomed by her widow Krishna (Vidya Balan). Both Khalujaan and Mushtaq find themselves drawn towards Krishna. Death is at their doorstep and to escape it, the trio is forced to take the path of violence. However, they have hidden much more than they actually show. Watch the film to find out how the trio gets engulfed in a web of crime, passion, betrayal and deceit.

Like all Vishal Bharadwaj creations, in Ishqiya too, you take some time to get absorbed into the plot. The first scene is intriguing and mysterious. The film gets on the right track as soon as Arshad and Naseeruddin enter the narrative. Their escape from Mushtaq (which was hilarious) and meeting Krishna for the first time impress. In fact, there’s nothing that one wont like in the first hour. The intermission point comes suddenly and innovatively!

The 2nd half begins with a bang and the entire kidnap drama is nicely executed. However, after this, a lot of skeletons start coming out of the closet. To add to it, the complex narration complicates things at several points. But the film picks up in the climax. The film end is completely justified but might receive extreme reactions from different sections of moviegoers.

Notwithstanding the flaws, Ishqiya is a creative brilliance to a great extent. The script is lyrical and symbolic (note how the gas cylinder is creatively utilized in the film’s plot). Only if the aforementioned flaws were absent, Ishqiya would have been a classic!

There have been buzz that Ishqiya might remind of Omkara as both are set in Uttar Pradesh. However, the film reminded me more of Manorama Six Feet Under (which was also produced by Shemaroo). This reminds me…kudos to Shemaroo for investing in such unconventional scripts!

Everyone performs exceedingly well. Naseeruddin Shah is extremely likeable as the music lover cum aashiq. He excels throughout the film and the Naseeruddin-Vidya chemistry is crackling! Arshad Warsi is revelation! After disappointing a lot in Short Kut, he’s back with a bang! He’s absolute natural and was best in the scene where he accidentally arrives at a meeting of Maoists. And note how he pronounces plan as plane! Great work, Arshad!

(CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS SECTION)