JOHNNY GADDAR (2007)

Cast: Dharmendra, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Vinay Pathak, Zakir Hussain, Daya Shetty, Govind Namdeo, Rimi Sen, Ashwini Kalsekar

I just finished watching it again--for the 5th time. Let me begin by saying that this IS NOT among the best movies I've seen in my life. But it is certainly the best thriller I've seen in the last couple of years. The reason for this blog entry is to appeal the general public to get its VCD/DVD and watch it (VCD costs jus 99 bucks...don't be such a miser now). And how will this review be different??? I wont be giving the entire plot summary cos you really can't give out a thriller.

Sriram Raghavan ventures onto the dark path yet again with Johnny Gaddar. If someone said that EK HASINA THI was a fluke, then Johnny Gaddar is bound to prove all the skeptics wrong. Raghavan pays tribute to Vijay Anand and James Hadley Chase with this one. You can guess what the movie must be like.

Johnny Gaddar is the story of five people (they aren't really friends...they are convenience for one another) who form a gang doing illegal business. On one such venture, they pool in 50 lakh each. Before the transaction is complete, the money gets looted. Johnny Gaddar traces the story of one Gaddar or Traitor in their ranks and what follows is something unexpected.

Sriram Raghavan is fast proving his talent in the melee of film makers and one hopes that he continues to impress.

Coming to the actors--lead by Dharmendra (still swearing albiet in English) who plays the old horse quite well. Debutante Neil Nitin Mukesh holds on to his role with stability although you feel his acting could have been fine tuned just a little bit. Daya Shetty (of the CID fame) has the smallest role of them all . Zakir Hussain (not the tabla maestro) and Vinay Pathak were the real show stealers here as far as acting was concerned. Vinay Pathak continues to amaze me with the variety of roles he does and his fan following keeps increasing with every movie.

Govind Namdeo and Rimi Sen also do their bit for the movie. But all in all, the real hero of the movie is its Director--Sriram Raghavan. The man has a brilliant vision. The Story was quite brilliant, camerawork very creative, slick editing , and finally, a movie you can actually use your brains while watching. Although it has its flaws, I recommend it as a must watch this season. Total Paisa vasool.