WORKS BUT ONLY IF ... Review on Ek Hasina Thi

Urmila acts better than Bhoot

Saif in his career defining moment

Editor awake for major part of the movie

Excellent screenplay for majority of the film

Superb Background Score

Exquisite and Haunting Camera Work

If that does not do it still .... then read on ....

Haunting is the word that stays in your mind after Ek Hasina Thi. Although it looks like Gumraah (which being a Mahesh Bhatt film was obviously inspired, and was made by Yash Johar, papa ji of Karan Johar, he he we are like this only :p) in the first half to Anjaam in the second, what gives this the edge is slick editing along with infinitely better technical finesse. Screenplay does tend to wander a weebit in second half and some of the dialogues too meander making you just a bit uneasy towards the middle of second part, but the climax once again heightens the atmosphere. Yeah! But the climax could have also been better, but the beauty is that the film is just about pass the two hours mark, has no item songs or other songs and hence, one does not really get any time to think about this. And thats really the triumph, before you can make faces or comments, the film has moved on. It happens when the director meanders a bit on Saif's cassonova tendencies and encounters with Urmila. Before you say, ''Yeah Right'', bingo the movie moves on. And then when the whole Conviction thing starts getting long, bingo the next movie and then the interval. And thats for someone who can get uneasy in 10 minutes (I hate slow tortoises unless done with an efficacy of Gulzar). I would think, one would definitely find the pace cool (smooth yet pacy).

Screenplay is a clear winner here because the way the film does a complete about turn for Urmila's character in second half needed real finesse. It needed conviction, it needed continuity and it needed to be done quickly. Superb use of situations and array of characters makes the transition wonderful. I for one knew it from the start, then and there that this film will rock for sure. It paid to know who will star in what role it seems and especially commendable is the way Saif's role is written keeping his strengths and English image in mind. Its more because his role is written well, that Saif sales through rather easily through a complex character. For once, even side characters like Seema Biswas have a fleshed out role. Editor does an exquisite job in first half and also for major part of second half, though I think pace slackens compared to first half in second. The winners however are clearly the background score and the camera work. The angles and shots would do a Bhansali proud. The scenes to watch out are among the murky angles done to heighten the tension in the crowd scenes and night scenes. It so perfectly aids Urmila who looks so horribly alone in a big world. Watch out for top angle shots of the city and watch out for intimate shots in embraces. Excellent work. Chameli and now this - two well shot movies inside one week. Background score is excellent as well and aids the mood and pace of the movie very well. But you expect them in the RGV flick. What he does get this time around is a firm bound script as well and the effect almost reaches the Satya highs. Together, they enact some fine scenes and some superb cinematic moments especially a scene in the hotel.

Acting is uniformly commendable and wonderfully nuanced as well. Urmila and Saif hold forth for major part of the movie and it seems like both enjoyed the stint. Although the chemistry takes time to work, it does work. I wont write more, since reams will be written on them in any case. What I did find a bit glaring though was a slight inconsistency in Saif's acting post interval, he seemed to almost come down once Urmila takes control of the movie post interval. But he was a delight in the first half. Director has done a good job in maintaining sound thread of narrative and getting excellent performances from cast and more than anything else, giving a uniform movie with only slight glitches here and there.

Now then, will it work? The movie is clearly aimed at Urban Audience. Right from a single working girl living alone to Cassonova white collar crimer (new word, he he), everything is on that scale only. Further, the movie itself is a thriller mould from the word go, and only the audience which has a mood for that film will like it. You really need to be in mood, if you are not game for some serious thrilling action, then one may just find the movie too monotonous and documentarish. There are no breaks and no songs either. Hence, I doubt its merits on box office and genuine all round commercial film. Its too highly dependent on the mood and anticipation of the audience.

Could it have been better? I dont think so. Its clear in what it needs to achieve and does it. So no one should complain if you eat non vegetarian food voluntarily knowing you are vegetarian. Personally, I watched it after draining session of exercises and mental tensions in a meeting. Maybe, someone with a better frame of mind will like it much more. Somehow, its not a brilliant category movie whether it was close resemblance to Gumraah and Anjaam or as some point out Double Jeopardy (I did not see it), but something was missing which I cant point out what it is. Maybe it was Urmila being so prim n propah despite being in Jail with huge inspiration from classic Jail films, or how she gets it just a bit too easy in second half to win the battle. There is something missing and it is in second half only.

Watch it when you have been free and dont go watch it after a hectic day. Its not a slow moving tortoise but it may well be a tracer bullet for some though.