Talaash is a script written by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar.. They say, some 6 to 9 years ago... And it shows... Coz, you can see that it might have worked some years back, but now it just reminds you of some films in this genre... But the story remains true to the audience, never misleading just deceiving (unlike Kahaani – highly misleading screenplay)... The hope is to keep your engrossed till the end and probably, shock you if you are too naive to catch it... And in that regard, this movie works.
Now being an Aamir Khan fan, I can start saying that the acting is awesome, the screenplay is gripping, some exchanges are brilliant, cinematography (atmospherics) is cool, Ram Sampath’s music keeps the mood grim, but when it comes to thrillers, if the actual “Mystery” bit doesn’t have any meat, the movie fails.
A famous actor dies, and police start investigating, his innocuous yet mysterious death. The investigating officer, is recovering from the death of his son. So he carries his own set of issues, while he investigates the strange death. His wife is fighting depression too, but more than that trying to convince her husband that he needs more help. And then there is the whore, who leads the officer deeper into the web.
Now, when you watch an Aamir Khan film, you atleast expect the details to be correct. Instead, you get a supernatural angle with a neighbour that communicates with ghosts and police inspectors who do not do basic checks to catch a criminal. It’s sloppy stuff. Infact the case is so damn thakela, that even some CID episodes might have a more intricate one.
What is not thakela though is the acting. Be it Rani’s pleas or Nawazuddin’s dreams, the acting is consistently good. Aamir himself, proves that he is one superstar who does not believe that he is bigger than the film. Always understated, he carries the load of the film on his firm shoulders and boulder-like mooch. He dives into the role with full aplomb and surfaces triumphant. It’s only Kareena who seems a little out of place as the whore. Could have done with a less high profile heroine, who would suit the role.
So, is it entirely unwatchable? No... Infact it will keep you engaged. But it’s slow and requires your patience. And is it inception like Mind-bending stuff? Hell No, it’s more like a thriller made for the 5th standard children that is shown to a class full of graduates!
You can watch it more like a Drama, than a Thriller. Coz quite frankly, Talaash is a chicken biryani with perfect spices, excellent rice etc etc, but a Choosa instead of a Murga. The real meat is missing!
Rating: 5.5/10
( Abb toh PK ka intezaar hai ... Kyonki I dont have hopes from Dhoom 3 anyways!!!)