Saat Khoon Maaf (2010). Review on 7 Khoon Maaf

Bharadwaj has been known for his rattling adaptations from classic literary masterpieces to contemporary form of cinema, maybe it be Maqbool(Macbeth), or Omkara(Othello) or The Blue Umbrella(same name story by Ruskin Bond), he’s always justified in translating the texts to astounding visuals with his vivid sense of celluloid cinema. This time he adapted Ruskin’s story under the name “Sussana’s Seven Husbands” to 7KM. There were many reasons to watch this film, major ones being cinematographer Ranjan Palit incredible work history behind the camera, Usha Uthup humming on Russian tune, a super-talented cast ranging from Naseer Uddin Shah to John Abraham and a women centric film!

Despite all the cards working in his favor, Bharadwaj has produced a wannabe low-lit East European cinema style of film. Talking about the technical parts the dingy shadowy Noirish atmosphere is overdriven by Ranjan Palit to a point where you wish they’d switch on the lights, instead of literally keeping you in the dark. I was always clear in my mind – if I ever I direct a movie I will shoot the entire movie with Steadicam. But after watching 7KM I have my second thoughts. I missed jimmy jib. The over usage of Steadicam tracking shots made it look like a bland documentary. Also, the continuity of the shots were messed at places. The only thing that saved the film in technical part was Sreekar Prasad’s editing. He saved the audiences from the excruciating details often foreseen to be chopped off by novice editors. One shot I’d like to mention in particular is the Church shot which shows a time lapse. The transition from present to past is something to watch. However the extensive usage of voice over technique spoils the visuals.

And in all fairness I must also mention the positives. I will mention two – first is the Irfaan Khan story. Superb writing and direction. Second best would be the Russian hubby’s story. Both the stories hit the right spots and extract the desired impact. It maintains rhythm throughout. Usha Uthup’s singing and Ruskin Bond’s guest appearance were a nice surprise. To convey the passage of time, references are made to events like the fall of the Berlin wall and the Babri Masjid. Keep your ear alert. The film also has its share of ‘not intended but turned out to be funny’ scenes. To list a few were the scenes where a dwarf fighting an Indian Jones-like whip combat, a panther frozen mid-air by special effects, a couple making out a graveyard tombstone. Alongwith adapting from Bond’s Susanna’s Seven Husbands, Bharadwaj has also drawn sources and paid homage to Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and Bluebeard’s Seven Wives. To sum it up; a dragged plot, intriguing background score and music, nice performances by Naseer, John and Irfaan and a decent performance by Priyanka Chopra. Her character was sketched out very poorly. She kills six men and she’s not even portrayed as a psycho, she’s stalwartly one-dimensional.

The only thought pondering in my head after watching the movie was; ‘Was it a film or a sadomasochistic spree?’

-Yashkumar