Sunday, August 22, 2010

Once Upon a Time in Mumbai

Imagine Ekta Kapoor without all the designer, crystal studded sarees, glittering diamonds and the sindoor bhari maang at her disposal. Kinda weird right…but that’s how OUATIM is made, and the icing on the cake, she actually has not cast Tusshar Kapoor in even one frame!! Nepotism is not her favorite subject I guess. :)

OUATIM is set in the 1970s with the storyline talking about the Mumbai underworld and the world of glamour and politics that is always associated with it. Rags to riches epitome is Sultan Mirza (Ajay Devgn), another good and solid performance from him after Raajneeti. He has very simple principles, he only does things what the Government does not permit (not his conscience), and he also knows that stepping on other smugglers’ toes is not going to help anyone. He divides the entire city of Mumbai among others and keeps the sea as his territory. Smart move I must say!! He only has one distraction in life, actress Rehana (Kangna Ranaut). He is besotted by her and she is impressed by his persistence in wooing her.
Meanwhile, there is a crown prince in the making Shoaib (Emraan Hashmi) who is a chota chor and has a cute girlfriend Mumtaz (Prachi Desai). She has no clue what he does for a living, except for the fact, they both are totally in love with each other. She works in a jewellery showroom and looks grossly out of place convincing customers on their choice. Shoaib’s father is a cop and this helps him get away with his petty thefts.
ACP Agnel Wilson (Randeep Hooda) is hot on the trail of underworld and just needs a toehold into the whole web, but is unable to do so. He then decides to somehow have Shoaib as a guinea pig, with the thought of making him a state witness, should things go wrong in the case.
Sultan is content being the messiah for the poor and underprivileged and raises his empire to great heights. A personal tragedy strikes and he hands over the reins to Suhail, while he sorts out matters. Shoaib starts running things his way and this becomes a bone of contention for the two dons, paving the way for the climax.
What worked:
Crisp storyline… healthy pace and intrigues the viewer.
Controlled performance and nothing OTT
What did not fit:
Prachi Desai showing glimpses of her Bani avatar

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