REVIEW: Kaminey

It's the film all of us have been waiting for. Almost everyone I know has already decided that they would love Kaminey – without even seeing the film. Yet one must rate a film for what it is, without being bogged down by slick, promos and the director's past record.

Vishal Bhardwaj’s Kaminey is a one-of-a-kind experience. All those expecting a dark, action-packed entertainer, be warned. This is grittier stuff. Kaminey is the director's tribute to Guy Ritchie, Taratino, Coen Brothers and the entire cult of pulp flicks.

So you've got a film full of crazy gangsters, black humour, intervening sub plots, accidental murders…all leading to a lot of confusion and mayhem. If Burn after Reading was about a gym bag, Kaminey is about a guitar and some pouches of cocaine. Somewhere down the line, Vishal cleverly merges the age-old, double role theme into this chase. The narrative takes its own sweet time to unravel - only to pick up tremendously after the first 30 minutes.

What makes this film special is the writing and detailing. The movie is a multi-cultural, multi-lingual crime thriller with gangsters from every region of India. The director gets all the mannerisms and accents right. And this diversity is what livens up many of the intense conflicts. Vishal's choice of authentic locations further enhances the scenes. Even the graffiti outside the toilets looks completely real.

Like Omkara, Kaminey also works as an ensemble. But it's leading man Shahid Kapoor's moment of glory. The lisping Charlie (Shahid) and stammering Guddu (Shahid) come across as completely different people. Shahid who has been a self-confessed SRK fan will do his idol proud. Charlie has the aggression of Baazigar while Guddu has the innocence of Yes Boss. Shahid also displays nuances of his father's acting. Especially as Charlie, whose intense voice echoes of Pankaj Kapoor's Abbaji. Kapoor should get ready to lap up all the Best Actor awards.

Priyanka Chopra has an interesting role. And she does very well as the simple Maharashtrian girl with wild sexual fantasies. Be it her seductive expressions or angry outbursts, Chopra is a treat to watch. But unfortunately her character is sidelined in the second half. Kaminey also marks a smashing, acting debut for Amol Gupte. Gifted with a menacing screen presence, the creative director of Taare Zameen Par brings back memories of a young Nana Patekar. Amol delivers a standout performance.

Kaminey’s soundtrack is already a chartbuster. But the songs could have been placed better. Vishal’s genius musical sense is actually at full display in his background music. His use of classic Bollywood numbers during the violent fights is simply rocking.

But Kaminey has its downers. Firstly the film is too long. A plot of this genre is never story driven. And it’s always the characters and their confusion that keep you engaged. But there is only this much of confusion that you can take. Also, the proceedings get a bit too heavy on the senses – especially the lengthy, explosive climax.

Vishal Bhardwaj deserves full credit for making a film that has no parallel in Bollywood. There have been attempts to make smart, crime thrillers in the past - But Kaminey achieves a balance between packaging and experimentation.

Verdict: Kaminey is a film that expects you to be attentive. Even though you might need a breather once the lights come on, it certainly is unlike anything that's come out in a long, long time.

Rating: 3.5/5