Abbas-Mustan is one of my favourite filmmakers and I always wait for their movies with bated breath! I have almost loved all their movies (Khiladi, Baazigar, Daraar, Baadshah, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Humraaz, Aitraaz, 36 China Town, Naqaab). And therefore Race was on the top of my list of ‘Most Awaited Movies of 2008’ list! For Race, there was a tremendous hype and curiosity and therefore, I decided to watch the first day first show itself! And Race meets all the expectations! It surely ranks as one of the finest movies of 2008. Something like this, you must have never seen before!!
The story of the movie: Ranvir (Saif Ali Khan) owns a huge stud farm, named Stallions in Durban, South Africa. He breed horses, maintains them and is a bookie. His brother Rajiv (Akshaye Khanna) has no interest in the business and is an alcoholic. Ranvir had befriended Sonia (Bipasha Basu), an upcoming Indian model and both had come very close. Ranvir introduced her to Rajiv who instantly got attracted to her. Rajiv conveyed his feelings to Ranvir about Sonia and also promised that if she comes into her life, he will give up alcohol forever. Ranvir also loved Sonia a lot but hearing Rajiv’s promise, he decided to sacrifice his love. Soon, Rajiv and Sonia become good friends and came very close. One day when Sonia asked Rajiv about marriage, he said he doesn’t wish to marry her! WHY did he say so? I have revealed just the beginning portion and not the suspense and surprises as I didn’t want to spoil your joy!
Race deals with enemity between two brothers and also has many characters other than the above mentioned three. There’s Sonia (Katrina Kaif)-Ranvir’s secretary who loved him a lot, Inspector RD (Anil Kapoor), a witty investigating officer and Mini (Sameera Reddy), RD’s dumb secretary. But all this things can also be found in our daily soaps. But Race has something else too-here you can’t guess who’s associated with whom, who’s plotted against whom. And therefore, Race manages to evoke surprise and that’s why it earns Brownie points!
The aim of this movie is to shock viewers! The film has so many surprises and twists-n-turns that it’s not only difficult but also impossible to predict what will happen next! Just Expect The Unexpected!!
The first scene of the movie itself shows that the film is a great thriller! The film has some comic moments too, provided mainly by Akshaye Khanna, Johnny Lever (only for one scene) and largely by Anil and Sameera.
So any problems with the movie? Unfortunately, Yes. The twists-n-turns are shocking but they leave viewers confused too. But the film solves the mysteries, confusion and suspense in the climax and that too perfectly. The credit for this goes to Abbas-Mustan and Shiraz Ahmed (screenplay).
Saif Ali Khan is the hero of the movie! He looks damn cool in his new look and his performance is simply rocking! From the first scene till the last, he was absolutely stylish and perfect! It’s a performance worth remembering! Well Done, Saif; Kareena must be proud of you!!!
Akshaye Khanna proves his worth again! I have always loved his performance in every film and have always praised him. His performance in movies like Border, Aa Ab Laut Chalen, Taal, Dil Chahta Hai, Humraaz, Deewangee, Hungama, Deewar, Hulchul, 36 China Town, Salaam-E-Ishq, Naqaab and Gandhi My Father were marvelous and in Race too, he was fabulous! Hopefully, he’ll get more and better roles after this memorable performance!
Anil Kapoor’s entry is little late but he’s the one who dominates the 2nd half! He provides the much-needed laughter in the post-interval portions. If you saw him as an Urdu professor in the serious Black & White just 2 weeks back, watch him here in a completely different avatar! His jokes were quite witty and enjoyable! Another memorable performance from a great actor!
Now coming to the heroines. All three have done an equally good job. Bipasha Basu was complete natural and easily suited her unusual character! She was wonderful in the 1st half. She didn’t had much to do in the 2nd half, but she rocks in the final 30 minutes!
Katrina Kaif looked as usual stunning! She was looking great in the songs ‘Zara Zara’ and ‘Sexy Lady’! After Namastey London and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, this is Katrina’s 3rd best performance so far!
Sameera Reddy excels in the role of a dumb secretary. Actually it was not an easy task, but Sameera went into the skin of her character and came out with a great performance! Dalip Tahil was good. Johnny Lever was damn funny, though he was there only for a scene. Others were good.
Pritam’s music was as usual cool and hot-n-happening! This guy always comes out with something great! All the songs-‘Allah Duhai Hai’, ‘Pehli Nazar Mein’, ‘Touch Me’ and ‘Sexy Lady’ were rocking.
Ravi Yadav’s cinematography was outstanding and takes away the breath! The aerial shots were great and the beginning and the final scene was wonderfully shot!
Choreography was superb in all the songs. Allan Amin-the action director is back! He was missing from the Bollywood scenario for a long time but now he has returned and how! The film would have been least entertaining without his daring and never before seen action sequences!
Anurag Prapann and Jitendra Parmar’s dialogues were awesome! The dialogues also made a lot of contribution in making the movie a perfect one. Some of the most memorable dialogues:
1. Mein apni haar ko bhi celebrate karta hoon!
2. Aao Mein Tumhe Chod Du.
–Mere Paas Car Hai.
–Great, To Tum Mujhe Chod Do!
3. Tum mujhse jeet nahi paaye kyonki tum hamesha mujhe haraane ki sochte the. Aur mein kabhi haraa nahi kyonki mein hamesha jeetne ki sochta tha!
4. Woh dead body kahaan mera ganna jeenkar kha jaane wali hai!
(CONTINUED IN THE COMMENT SECTION)
