Monday, December 15, 2008

Aggar Movie Reviews

Obsession. The word has been a hot favorite of dream merchants in Bollywood. From Abbas-Mustan's DARAAR to
Yash Chopra's DARR, to films made to this date, a number of storytellers have woven themes around the obsessive
streak of individuals. Ananth Narayan Mahadevan's AGGAR also does that. A number of thrillers have successfully
explored the darker side of human personality with dexterity. AGGAR is a fine addition to the list, although the sole
glaring flaw lies in the fact that the director has chosen to opt for an atypical end to the story. When everything was so
unpredictable from start till pre-climax [screenplay: S. Farhan], when layer after layer was peeled with such finesse, when
the viewer was absolutely clueless vis-à-vis what lay in store, why Ananth why opt for a tame ending? Yet, in all fairness,
AGGAR keeps you involved in most parts. That's the hallmark of a good thriller, isn't it?
The end has an interesting twist that injects life into the proceedings, but the beginning is a bit iffy!
Dwelling on this would mean giving the meat out, so let it be said that Tushaar Kapoor (Aryan) released from the
sanatorium, (he had accidentally killed his girlfriend, Sophie Choudry), meeting Nauheed Cyrusi, who then takes him to
her boss Udita Gosawmi (Jhanvi) for employment is a bit hard to digest. It somehow does not fit into the scheme of
things.
Also Udita, who is in Bangkok with Tushaar, (she runs an event management company), hands over her phone to him as
she goes off to meet a colleague. Before she can get back, Tushaar has already gone into her picture folder, to
‘A’ particular photograph and even has the nerve to ask her who she is??? Clearly, how can anyone go
through someone’s cell phone in a manner like that and which lady in her right mind would mind that!!!
Isn’t that strange, Mr Anant Narayan Mahadevan???
Becoming attracted to the wrong man can have deadly consequences. Janvi's [Udita Goswami] life seems ideal on the
surface: she runs a thriving business and is married to Dr. Aditya Merchant [Shreyas Talpade], a psychiatrist. But a faint
air of discontent begins to creep into her relationship when she begins suspecting her husband of having an extra-marital
affair with Radha [Saadhika], an interior designer.
Janvi impulsively gets drawn into a steamy affair with Aryan [Tusshar Kapoor], who works in her company. But in a
strange twist of events, she realizes that she has stumbled badly and tries to break off her affair. Aryan, however, is not
willing to give her up so easily and his attraction to her soon becomes a dangerous obsession.
AGGAR has three interesting words below its logo -- Passion, Betrayal and Terror -- and AGGAR does justice to it in
those 2 hours. There's never a moment that gives you the feeling of déjà vu. Not once do you feel that it's one of those
been-there-seen-that kind of movie-going experiences.
Note the sequences: Sophie Chaudhary accidentally falling of from the rooftop mansion… The gradual attraction
between Tusshar and Udita… Udita's outburst in the office. Ananth executes the written material wonderfully well.
But, as mentioned earlier, the culmination to the tale should've been equally unpredictable, not abstract mind you. A
badly bruised Tusshar emerging from the pool and beating Shreyas black and blue is a complete cinematic liberty. Ditto
for the end.
The other area where the film dips is Mithoon's music. The young musician showed promise in his earlier works, but the
tunes in AGGAR sound similar to his recent work THE TRAIN [the songs of this film are still fresh]. Hello, why this need
to repeat yourself? Have you exhausted your stock of tunes already? K. Rajkumar's cinematography is topnotch.
AGGAR rests on three characters mainly and each of them packs in a solid punch. Tusshar is a revelation. The actor
has always come up with honest performances in the past, but he pitches his best work to date in AGGAR. We're used to
watching actors hamming away to glory in roles of obsessed lovers, but Tusshar doesn't go over the top at all.
Tremendous work!
Shreyas Talpade is in complete form. Enacting the role of a shrewd operator who's in search of a guinea pig to carry out
his devious plan, the young actor proves his versatility yet again. His volte face will catch the viewer by surprise.
Udita Goswami is fantastic. She sinks her teeth in this challenging role and enacts it with gusto. AGGAR is one film that
showcases her talent to the optimum. Excellent work indeed! Nauheed Cyrusi is adequate. Sophie Chaudhary makes her
presence felt in a brief role. Saadhika is okay.
On the whole, AGGAR is a well-made thriller that should appeal to the multiplex junta primarily. But its business will get
affected due to several vital reasons: The 20/20 cricket matches [the India-Pakistan match specifically], the
commencement of the holy month of Ramzan and Ganeshotsav. Obviously, a large section of moviegoers will stay away
from cineplexes in days to come. The poor opening will also tell on its business.
Director : Anant Mahadevan
Producer : Narendra Bajaj, Shyam Bajaj
Cast : Tusshar Kapoor, Koena Mitra, Shreyas Talpade, Vikas Kalantri
Music : Himesh Reshammiya Courtesy : indiafm.com

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