Once upon a time in Mumbai there lived a Sultan. Review on Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai

Once Upon A Time In Mumbai.....

Five reasons to watch it:

1. Dialogues. The writer, Rajat Arora makes more than an impression and turns each conversations a power play of words. Ideas are been traded and the writer made sure that it is not a one or two round game. Fast paced dialogues are not so common and the film worth a watch for its dialogues.

   
   




2. Superb Performance by Ajay Devgan & Kangna Ranaut. Ajay Devgan is one actor who has something in store always. From the beginning, the actor in Ajay Devgan takes charge and it is a delight to watch each scene he appeared on screen. To pair Ajay when he is shining as an actor is not a less task and look at Kangna Ranaut who made her space comfortably! The pair looks so cool and wishes to see them together again.

   
   




3. Music, Background scores and choreography. Songs are quite good, matching to the mood and situation well. Choreography is brilliant, where some of them beautifully represented the 70s mixing well with the emotion filled scenes. The last song however, it felt done half hearted. Background music which increases the heart beats is a major plus for the film.

   
   




4. Brilliant cinematography. Cinematographer (Aseems Mishra) creates his own souls for the situations even in the presence of dialogues, performance, music and emotions. Excellent!

   
   




5. Situations. There are situations which are a movie in itself. The film has its own share of classic and some times breathtaking situations. The sequence where Sultan Mirza (Ajay) replacing the rail tracks, Young Shoaib receiving the beating from his father, the scene where Sultan Mirza trying to impress Rahana (Kangna) are examples.

   
   

Three reasons not to watch OUATIM

1. Story. The story is been told through the confessions of a dutiful police inspector's to his senior after a suicidal attempt. Then, at the end, the question will remain why was he attempting to suicide and when? Even without the confession episode, as a story it lacks the twists and turns and the writer failed to present it keeping the suspense. Climax was a let down too, not for the genre, but for the narration. However, have to admit the story begin quite impressively.

   
   




2. Character creation & Logic for actions. Characters are the pillars on which the story and in turn the film exists. The character creation of Shoaib failed from the beginning. As a young boy, he has shown with a lot of determination, but when he accepts the same beating even as an adult it is not justified. Also, his reason for the passionate adventures is mysterious. This lack of reason is more visible when there is the 'twist' in the tale. Mumtaz (Pranchi Desai) is a confused character from the beginning where the writer doesn't permit the viewers to watch her thoughts leading to the decisions. No wonder she didn't shared the reason for betrayal. Agnal (Randeep Honda) was like an angel from the beginning. Then, in the climax he just gave away the 'well made character' for nothing. The character's inaction would have been more appropriate than the guideless action. Rehana got less or no importance in the second half. Sultan Mirza's waiting with patience in Delhi doesn't go well with the character as well, not to mention his intention in not even making a call from Delhi to Mumbai to check the situations. If you are one who looks for logic or reason for characters and their actions, this is not a movie for you.

   
   




3. Emran Hashmi's acting. I like this actor in films like Gangster. However, the actor disappoints in a key role. (The director failed to justify casting him in a gangster role.)

   
   

Few more observations: The first 40 minutes of the movie simply shoot the viewer's expectations sky high. Everything in it was so brilliant and so perfect. I was hoping for an out and out excellent movie nothing less than that. Then, slowly the pace was dropped down (exactly from the moment the anti hero is been introduced). Things were so till the interval. Thought it is calm before the cyclone and the beginning of the second half gave the hope for the same. First 30 minutes of the second half was interesting and the hope started to rise again. Then, the unfolded drama was too dramatic and when the climax arrived it was all evident and predictable. It all ended up in the same beaten path.

Direction by Milan Luthria is quite good! He however was a failure in casting (except Ajay, Kangna and Randeep) and extracting best out of those actors. Story and screen play could have been much better, where dialogues were exceptionally brilliant. Pranchi Desai's acting is ok. Randeep Hooda's acting is very good. Editing is excellent in most part. Action was limited but the mood and effect was created easily. Art direction is very good and need special mention.

Overall, the film lacks excellence in totality, where it is a mixture of excellence in part while remained average at the other. The film worth a watch for some brilliant cinematic moments and recommended!

My rating: 3.25 stars.