Talaash

A suspense drama that made me cry at the end. Don't remember the last time a film in this genre did that to me. Talaash works more in its psychol... read more

A suspense drama that made me cry at the end. Don't remember the last time a film in this genre did that to me. Talaash works more in its psychological exploration of loss and a human's attempt at dealing with it.

A death of a movie star brings three worlds together. A world of a couple Surjan Singh Shekhawat(Aamir Khan)and Roshni (Rani Mukherjee)grieving a loss in their life , a world of pimps and prostitutes surviving an ugly destiny and searching for that elusive happiness, among them is Kareena and a world of the rich who think money can keep them safe.

On a surface level it is about Aamir searching for clues to solve the mystery surrounding the death of Armaan Kapoor (Vivan Bhatena) but on the other level it's about his and Rani's coming to terms with their loss which involves a guilt complex. It questions what you believe and your ability to have an open mind to accept things which cannot be explained.

It's moody, atmospheric and works on its own pace but keeps you riveted, interested and engaged on an emotional level. The suspense angle builds up well but is a letdown towards the end. Halfway through the film I was watching it more as a drama than a suspense film. Aamir, Kareena and Rani make you invest emotionally in their characters, fabulously supported by a fantastic ensemble cast. But above all it is Reema Kagti's clear vision as a director and the faith with which she narrates the story that makes this film a cut above the regular suspense films. Even though it has a huge star like Aamir khan it is not a star vehicle but a director's film all the way.

I think women are better in finding a way to deal with loss in their life than men. At least in this film I found it interesting how Rani is more open to an idea which is nontraditional and alternative if it helps her deal with her pain and can bring back her present life that drowned with the death of a loved one. Her closure is more hurried compared to Aamir and Kareena.

There are traces of two Hollywood films which I will not name for obvious reasons. A book which I have read has a strong influence in the plot. Since I have read that book and I am on one side of the fence when it comes to certain beliefs it was easier for me to buy into the climax of the film. For skeptics and people with a close mind the end might be a bit underwhelming.

Final few words - Talaash works more as a drama than a suspense drama.

Rating - 3.5 (Good)

Ticket Meter - worth 250 bucks

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If you are looking for a Kahaani in this movie, don't. It's a suspense movie for the first half and an emotional movie for the second. The good pa... read more

If you are looking for a Kahaani in this movie, don't. It's a suspense movie for the first half and an emotional movie for the second. The good part is that it keeps you guessing till almost the very end when it decides to tell you all. In that sense there are no a- ha moments later or not much dissecting to do after the movie is over. I, of course cannot tell you much about the story except that its about a cop solving a murder and fighting his own personal demons. Aamir Khan, as usual is in top form as the tortured cop, Kereena looks quite lovely though I found her coy, simpering act a bit irritating. Rani looks gorgeous and shines in her role as Aamir's wife. What a relief to see her like this after Aiyya. Nawaz Siddique is everywhere these days and as the guy who tries to cash in on some unexpected good fortune he is extremely good. The music by Ram Sampath is amazing. All in all, Talaash is a perfectly decent watch. The first half keeps you on your toes and though the slow place of the second half can get a bit bugging, the emotional intensity adds some beauty to it. The thing is, an Aamir Khan movie ratchets expectations up to an unusual degree. Let go of that and you will truly enjoy this one. view less

To watch “Talaash” and come to the conclusion whether the unthinkable twist (at least for few in the audience) was worth the time and money is ... read more

To watch “Talaash” and come to the conclusion whether the unthinkable twist (at least for few in the audience) was worth the time and money is debatable. However, what's more debatable is whether the screen cop avatar of Aamir, as a specialist at work, yet a struggling husband and grieving father at home, works in the favor of the film or not. The answer to these questions lies within each and every one of us who've watched or yet to watch this film.

Following the mysterious death of Armaan Kapoor (Vivan Bhatena), a famous film star, who drives his car straight into a boardwalk and plunges into the sea, Inspector Surjan Singh Shekhawat (Aamir Khan) is sucked into the investigation mode. As Surjan desperately tries to solve the case by spending long and lonely nights searching for clues in the darkest corners of Mumbai, he's befriended by a hooked named Rosy (Kareena), with whom he forms an unlikely relationship. Will Surjan solve the case? If yes, then how forms the rest of the story.

Akin to the title of the film “Talaash”, every character in the film is in search of something. Surjan is in search of clues that will help him close the case, while his wife Roshni (Rani Mukerji) is in search of moments she can relive with her husband who's still grieving the loss of their only son. Likewise, all other characters are in search of something that'll eventually change the course of their lives forever.

The film meanders at snail's pace and one needs to be highly patient to sit through the film. Reema and Zoya have successfully redefined the cop genre, which is usually known for films that promise lot of high-octane action. Though Reema builds the journey leading up to the climax intelligently, it isn't too hard to see what's coming provided you pay attention to every detail from the minute go. Suspense thrillers are a rarity in Bollywood, but with films such as “Kahaani” and “Talaash” now, you can proudly say times are changing and the future seems bright.

The film's strength is its impeccable performances by the characters. From a conniving gangster in “Gangs of Wasseypur”, Nawazuddin's role as Tehmur, the limping pimp's right hand is outstanding. As rightly pointed out by many, he definitely is a chameleon. Rani portrays brilliance in her role as Aamir's accommodative and struggling wife, without making her character look sympathetic. Aamir as Surjan is emotionally very expressive and fearsome with his furrowed brow and moustache. It takes him just one scene - where he slaps and stares into the eyes of a pimp's sidekick who tries to stop him from rescuing one of the girls from the brothel - to show what this actor can bring to the table. Lastly, Kareena's role with adequate amount of vigor and heart is commendable and most likely one of her best performances of recent times.

Reema's technical team elevates the film to certain height that's bereft of criticism. Mohanan's cinematography leaves a gloomy feeling to the entire setting of the film, while Ram Sampath's music is uplifting and totally apt. Thankfully, songs in the film are part of the narrative and don't break the flow of the film at any instance.

To call “Talaash” a lazy and senseless thriller is again based on personal choice, but it's easily one of the best narratively crisp films with fewer glitches.

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The twist in Talaash doesn't come unannounced, yet is good enough to shake you from the comfortable slumber the build up to it puts you into, on th... read more

The twist in Talaash doesn't come unannounced, yet is good enough to shake you from the comfortable slumber the build up to it puts you into, on the way giving you more than a whodunnit, ensuring repeat views. For a thriller, Talaash is engrossing but lacks the urgency to grip you by the throat.

Surjan Shekhawat (amir) is a police officer investigating the death of a fiom star, while also coming to terms with his son's untimely death and the subsequent near collapse of his marriage with Roshni (Rani). He investigates the case with the help of an escort with a golden heart Rosy (Kareena) who also helps him come out his own personal misery. How the case solves itself takes you through an emotional ride that ends with a twist that is sure to divide the audience on its quality.

kagti and Zoya write a story that is delciously noir in its mood and aided with some amazing photography and understated background score by Ram Sampath, bring to the screen an atmosphere that is sullen, gloomy and introspective. Talaash forces you to go deep inside your own self, while the mind is still looking for red herrings to second guess the culprit. Mumbai is shown in a very different light, one emenating from its red light area, and relationships are delved into at lenght with sensitivity.

Director Kagti takes you through the story at her own pace, the mystery runs first, followed by the strong emotional parts which almost can make you forget it is a thriller you are watching, before merging the two threads in a not so entirely convincing climax. Both the story and the direction lack a sense of urgency and impending gloom that one associates with this genre, yet at some level this story couldnt have been told in a better manner.

What lacks in the story, is made up for in the performances. Nawazuddin as Taimur, the one legged man friday, is scintillating. Raj kumar proves that screen time is not an issue for an actor with the chops. Rani delivers a performance that is nuanced, amply displaying the wonders an actress can perform when not worried by the numbers game. Kareena on the other hand manages to do what two odd hours of non stop crying in heroine couldnt-wow you with her performance- she is kind, strong, lonesome and seductive at the same time as Rosy. Both the leading ladies comfortably fit into their roles and deliver a fine pitch perfect performance.

Amir on the other hand gives a new meaning to onscreen cops in times of muscled mustached Singhams and Rowdy Rathores. His Surjan is calm on the outside, seething with pain and guilt on the inside, longing for comfort and love. He manages to make Surjan believable and draws the audeince sympathy to him while smartly drawing attention away from the stories tell tale signs.

Talaash could have immensely benefited from a more layered screenplay. The film tells a moderately complex story simply, a tad too simplistic at times, making you enjoy the ride but forget it an hour later. This one definitely is intelligent cinema, falling short of being cerebral. Watch it for yourself and decide.

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The problem with Talaash like so many other mystery Hindi movies is that it gives no opportunity to the audience to piece together the puzzle befo... read more

The problem with Talaash like so many other mystery Hindi movies is that it gives no opportunity to the audience to piece together the puzzle before the big reveal in the end. Much like Kahaani earlier this year, the movie's flaw is in throwing up an unconvincing sudden reveal that might sound cool for about ten minutes after you've witnessed it, but the moment you go back and look at the larger picture, it feels like a cheat.

Aamir Khan plays a cop investigating the accidental death of an actor while coming to terms with the loss of a loved one. His relationship with his wife (Rani Mukherjee) is strained to say the least. The only real thing close to a confidant he has is a prostitute played by Kareena Kapoor who also might hold vital information to the case he's working on. An assortment of other characters and the deliciously shot city of Bombay to help along on the way, the movie moves towards its big reveal in the end.

Ram Sampath's hauntingly beautiful background score and the cinematography were honestly the top draw for me throughout. Aamir Khan is great as always but the two ladies are wasted in underwritten roles.

While I get the whole psychological angle of things and representation and metaphors, something about the movie feels less than genuine and tacked on. I somehow get the feeling that if not for Aamir Khan, then this would have been a full-blown unconvincing exercise.

I'm not saying this is a bad film, by no stretch of imagination, but something just seems off throughout, as if they are trying to hard to get the right tone, the right atmosphere. I'll probably need to watch it one more time, maybe I was expecting too much, but after the first watch this is my verdict.

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