Jan 29, 2004 09:04 PM
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(Updated Jan 29, 2004 09:12 PM)
Yes, Ek hasina tho thi....per, Ek diwana bhi tha!
An innocent woman is falsely accused of a crime and is thrown into a jail. What happens next ? Let it be the case of hollywood or bollywood, every movie-goer could easily guess the proceedings and the conclusion. Inspite of this fact, Ek hasina thi succeeds in winning over the audiences because of its sleek presentation.
The screenplay made all the difference.
Though it reminds of a few sequences here and there of Double Jeopardy, Anjaam and Gumraah, it has its own share of creativity and authenticity. A perfect example - the first fifteen minutes of the movie. The main characters are introduced AND a relationship is also established in these few minutes (something Sooraj Barjatya would protest for a lifetime! ).
A born cassanova - Karan, falls for a simple, middle class, girl next door type travel agent - Sarika. He tries a little bit then goes straight to the point with a risk of loosing her even before winning over. To his delight, she responds in his favour. Doesn't matter if you sense a disparity with this connection or not, either way, you are equally convinced and entertained.
The proceedings thereafter introduce a few more characters, all of which stick to well etched sketches. In other words, they dont behave or do things which they are not expected to. The pace is swift but also passes by without any major jarring effect on the story telling. The editor plays a major part in maintaining this aspect throughout.
Cinematography is excellent. Other technical departments are superb. Dialogues are adequate to match the sleekness. Having only one song (that too being a part of the script and not a dream sequence) adds on to the natural aura of the movie. Sriram Raghavan, the debutant director seems to know his job and definitely has a future.
There are a few sore points too, which reduce the chances for the movie to be considered the best in handling the kind of subject. Sarika's easy access to the residence of a dangerous gangster and that too into the bedroom is just ridiculous. It affirms the general notion of certain events being possible only in movies.
Sarika's wardrobe despite being in jail seems to have that 'Manish Malhotra' touch. Most importantly, Sarika goes slightly off the mark in her mission in the second half. These ten minutes of the otherwise tightly held script spoil the momentum. Her sudden comfort ness with ammunition would easily raise frowns.
When asked about the similarities of jail sequences with that of Anjaam and Gumrah (in an interview on rediff.com), the director, Sriram had mentioned that the Anjaam-type scenes didn?t appeal to him and he refused to comment on the ones from Gumrah.
Well, the director paid very much attention in this regard and cleverly restrained from visibly bitter factors like the gore depiction of suffering. In an effort to be different, he played the whole jail chapter very safe and somewhat neutral. For your trivia, Urmila and her neighbor?s episode is a direct rip-ff from Ram Gopal Verma's telugu film Kshana khsanam, starring Sridevi.
Face the fact; it is utterly obvious that Urmila Matondkar is a part of the project not because she suits the role to a T, but because it?s a Ram Gopal Verma's production. She manages to perform well for the most part. The much-needed audiences' sympathy gain by the character (which was a piece of cake for Sridevi in Gumrah) is missing, though.
The personality 'break-up' and 'transformation' into a tough, rebellious, mission orientation process comes nowhere close to the character portrayal by Madhuri Dixit in Anjaam. The non-emotional, subtle way of revenge-seeking nature in the second half goes a little bit too far and seems blunt at times unlike that posed by Ashley Judd in Double Jeopardy.
The scenes, which Urmila handles smartly, are the ones with sarcastic and sadistic expressions while 'celebrating' her psuedo victory on at the fate of her victim.
It's Saif Ali Khan who steals the show, all the way! In fact he is the one who fits the role to a T. He looks and plays the metrosexual to perfection. His character sketch and his portrayal are consistent throughout (for example, he is busy with his cell phone right from the first frame to the last). If it were not for his spontaneity, the first fifteen minutes would have fallen flat. He never lets an opportunity slip by while playing this role of an opportunist.
In fact, he overshadows all the rest when he is on the screen. This performance by him would only add on to his gaining popularity and also be remembered as one of his best. Pratima Kazmi, who plays the wife of an ex-gangster, is a natural. Same for Seema Biswaas, who plays a cop. These two women justify their brief but important roles.
Watch the movie for its sleekness and technical finesse. You would be satisfied, given, that you dont set too many expectations. If starcast is your main criteria, then just remember that
Ek hasina tho thi.... par ek diwana bhi tha.
Some of the scenes finely executed:
The 'Lie-Game' played between Saif and Urmila - just amazing, even gives an insight into the personalities.
Saif's (supposed) consoling episode with a broken Urmila in the jail.
Urmila's golden opportunity to confine her victim to a state of mess.
Seema Biswas's style of querying Saif - 'Aap jahan bhi jaate hai, chaar lashe paaye jate hai...?'
Pratima kazmi's characterization - for example, being a jail inmate, a lady constable seeks solution to her problems from her.
The climax - Urmila's version of revenge
