Aamir's 2012 movie "Talaash" Review
It has been three years since 3 idiots and Aamir Khan had not returned to the
movies, then he decides to make a movie with a small set up and a director
called Reema Kagti (Honeymoon Travels and writer Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara),
which is a unique state for a star of his stature. Then the delays begin and the
endless waiting as the movie gets postponed for release several times for many
reasons -that it is similar to Kahaani, it's based on a graphic novel ` An Act
of Providence and Aamir's so called head butting with the director ( when has
that not happened with Aamir starrers) and finally the endless text messages
before the release which gave away the movie ending.
I watched the film on the first day of its release itself, a luxury that I give myself and I loved the film. In my view, after a year of mediocre films - there finally was a film that I could think about for a long time. Armaan Kapoor ( a filmstar) is killed in a freak accident on the promenade near Worli, Mumbai. Inspector Shekhavat ( Aamir Khan) comes in to investigate the accident and tries searching for clues but there are not any. While trying to piece this mess, he is also trying to resolve many personal issues in his life and family. Wifey ( Rani Mukerjee) and Inspector have drifted apart after their sons accident in a boating accident many years ago. He finally discovers that there is a brothel nearby and a helpful escort ( Kareena Kapoor) helps him solve the mystery. Let's just stop here because writing anymore about the story would give it away. When the final credit roll, a lot of you will say..I knew the murderer all along...I wish I could but the movie held my attention...
The screenplay is well written and maintains a steady grip on you throughout the 2 hour and 14 minute runtime. The final 15 minutes were blockbuster and at a point I literally jumped out of my seat, amazing end to a slow stroll...
The cinematography (Mohanan) is another feather in the hat of the makers, and is superb. Mumbai looks so pretty despite the grime and the pollution. The mood and the setting is just so perfect throughout the film.
Kareena Kapoor is miscast (me thought), she looks too glamorous to play the part of a street walker from the rough trade. Nevertheless, she has an extremely important role and she delivers.
Rani Mukherhjee without make up looks so gorgeous.....a dazzling performance of a woman longing for her lost family and husband. Her explosion at Aamir outside their house ( amazing location) fantastic- a professional discovering her craft after years of circus shows.
Aamir Khan delivers yet another finely tuned, underplayed, nuanced performance of many, many layers. This coming after Three Idiots would be like bread between wine tastings to clean the palate. It seems to me that he deliberately choose this role because he wanted people to forget Rancho and embrace the policeman with the creased forehead, scowl and the bags under his eyes from a lack of sleep. He returns to the realm of commercial cinema with Dhoom3 and PK in 2013.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is in a very significant role and is fantastic. Watch his scene with the prostitute when he confesses his dreams of starting a life with her.
I watched the film on the first day of its release itself, a luxury that I give myself and I loved the film. In my view, after a year of mediocre films - there finally was a film that I could think about for a long time. Armaan Kapoor ( a filmstar) is killed in a freak accident on the promenade near Worli, Mumbai. Inspector Shekhavat ( Aamir Khan) comes in to investigate the accident and tries searching for clues but there are not any. While trying to piece this mess, he is also trying to resolve many personal issues in his life and family. Wifey ( Rani Mukerjee) and Inspector have drifted apart after their sons accident in a boating accident many years ago. He finally discovers that there is a brothel nearby and a helpful escort ( Kareena Kapoor) helps him solve the mystery. Let's just stop here because writing anymore about the story would give it away. When the final credit roll, a lot of you will say..I knew the murderer all along...I wish I could but the movie held my attention...
The screenplay is well written and maintains a steady grip on you throughout the 2 hour and 14 minute runtime. The final 15 minutes were blockbuster and at a point I literally jumped out of my seat, amazing end to a slow stroll...
The cinematography (Mohanan) is another feather in the hat of the makers, and is superb. Mumbai looks so pretty despite the grime and the pollution. The mood and the setting is just so perfect throughout the film.
Kareena Kapoor is miscast (me thought), she looks too glamorous to play the part of a street walker from the rough trade. Nevertheless, she has an extremely important role and she delivers.
Rani Mukherhjee without make up looks so gorgeous.....a dazzling performance of a woman longing for her lost family and husband. Her explosion at Aamir outside their house ( amazing location) fantastic- a professional discovering her craft after years of circus shows.
Aamir Khan delivers yet another finely tuned, underplayed, nuanced performance of many, many layers. This coming after Three Idiots would be like bread between wine tastings to clean the palate. It seems to me that he deliberately choose this role because he wanted people to forget Rancho and embrace the policeman with the creased forehead, scowl and the bags under his eyes from a lack of sleep. He returns to the realm of commercial cinema with Dhoom3 and PK in 2013.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is in a very significant role and is fantastic. Watch his scene with the prostitute when he confesses his dreams of starting a life with her.
Reception
Talaash received mostly positive reviews from critics all-over India. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave Talaash a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars and said "Talaash: The Answer Lies Within is an outstanding film. A taut psychological thriller that keeps you guessing till the end, it leaves you spellbound, leaves you mesmerized, leaves you with an exclamation." Aniruddha Guha of DNA India gave it 3.5 out 5 stars while commenting "Talaash successfully whets the appetite of all the Aamir Khan fans. As for the story, you can always trust Zoya Akhtar to give her best. Talaash is not a flawless film, but it is a fascinating tale that compels one to look beyond that which is evident. You can’t miss this one." Saibal Chatterjee Of NDTV rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars,noting"By no means is Talaash the end of your search for the perfect whodunit. But there is so much going for this compelling, slow-burning, well-acted tale set in the dark, grimy underbelly of Mumbai that you can barely take your eye off the screen."
Meena Iyer of The Times of India award the film 3.5 out of 5, adding "You may not like Talaash, if mystery and intrigue set at a languid pace is not what you look out for in your matinee outing." Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN gave it 3.5 out of 5 while remarking "It's a very watchable film but not an unforgettable one." Aseem Chhabra for Rediff.com gave the film 3.5 out of 5,reviewing "In Talaash, Kagti weaves a complex web, and she colours it with the mood and the atmosphere she and her collaborators create. Talaash has the feel of a noir film.It is an intelligent film but falters towards the end." Anupama Chopra of Hindustan Times gave it 3 out of 5,stating "For once, I also feel the need to explain my rating: I wanted to give four stars to the first half and two stars to the second half, so it averages out to three. See Talaash and do post comments. I'm curious to see how many were as furious as me."
India Today gave 3.5 out 5 to Talaash and stated "Talaash creates its chills primarily tapping into the dark side of the mind, which makes it an unusual Bollywood film. Any resemblance to Joseph Payne Brennan and Donald M. Grant's 1979 novella, Act of Providence, is purely coincidental." Raja Sen for Rediff has given 2.5 out of 5 stars while adding that "Talaash is well made and strongly acted but is not as enjoyable to watch as it deserved to be." Shubra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 2.5 out of 5,remarking "Talaash starts out as a smart, well-written noir-ish thriller, and then slips between the tracks. Pity about the second half." Deccan Chronicle gave 2 out of 5 and stated "See Talaash only if you believe that Aamir Khan can do no wrong. Otherwise you’ll be left with a sinking feeling." The Hindu stated that "It’s not like we haven’t seen anything like this before. If Kahaani used a key scene from a film called Taking Lives as a final twist, Talaash uses one of the most abused endings of this genre." Firstpost stated that Talaash is a brave effort. Mainstream Bollywood movies try to keep it linear and uncomplicated. Directors avoid dealing with multiple strong subplots as might lead to a clutter.
Meena Iyer of The Times of India award the film 3.5 out of 5, adding "You may not like Talaash, if mystery and intrigue set at a languid pace is not what you look out for in your matinee outing." Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN gave it 3.5 out of 5 while remarking "It's a very watchable film but not an unforgettable one." Aseem Chhabra for Rediff.com gave the film 3.5 out of 5,reviewing "In Talaash, Kagti weaves a complex web, and she colours it with the mood and the atmosphere she and her collaborators create. Talaash has the feel of a noir film.It is an intelligent film but falters towards the end." Anupama Chopra of Hindustan Times gave it 3 out of 5,stating "For once, I also feel the need to explain my rating: I wanted to give four stars to the first half and two stars to the second half, so it averages out to three. See Talaash and do post comments. I'm curious to see how many were as furious as me."
India Today gave 3.5 out 5 to Talaash and stated "Talaash creates its chills primarily tapping into the dark side of the mind, which makes it an unusual Bollywood film. Any resemblance to Joseph Payne Brennan and Donald M. Grant's 1979 novella, Act of Providence, is purely coincidental." Raja Sen for Rediff has given 2.5 out of 5 stars while adding that "Talaash is well made and strongly acted but is not as enjoyable to watch as it deserved to be." Shubra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 2.5 out of 5,remarking "Talaash starts out as a smart, well-written noir-ish thriller, and then slips between the tracks. Pity about the second half." Deccan Chronicle gave 2 out of 5 and stated "See Talaash only if you believe that Aamir Khan can do no wrong. Otherwise you’ll be left with a sinking feeling." The Hindu stated that "It’s not like we haven’t seen anything like this before. If Kahaani used a key scene from a film called Taking Lives as a final twist, Talaash uses one of the most abused endings of this genre." Firstpost stated that Talaash is a brave effort. Mainstream Bollywood movies try to keep it linear and uncomplicated. Directors avoid dealing with multiple strong subplots as might lead to a clutter.
