This is an Indian movie not a Bollywood movie. I say this because many Indian directors and producers want to create “western” style movies. Movies that have dynamic, economical dialogue; sharp, clean, fast-moving action scenes; and classic dramatic tension between protagonists and antagonists with few to no songs, no dances, no multi-plots, and no comedic characters. This is considered a remake of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.
Criminals have planted bombs on two London trains and a game of cat and mouse with the authorities begins as one of the trains blows up as proof of their threat.
As the Railway Superintendent played by Boman Irani works to control the situation, a retired detective returns to lead the police investigation to catch the criminals and defuse the bomb.
What you don’t know is the purpose for the crime. There appears to be an underlying reason for their actions. It can’t be just for the money.
The criminals are three Indians. As the chase ensues, you learn they are illegals. Each has a story about how their illegal status destroyed their lives and hopes for the future.
In addition, legal Indians play major roles in the pursuit of the criminals and the movie shows the stress in their lives as they fight for acceptance in their new country.
Scenes are shot on the streets, waterways, trains, hospitals, garages, alleyways, malls and sewers of London with a wide mix of Indian and British actors.
Zayed Khan, Sameera Reddy and Ajay Devgan play the criminals, Aadil, Megha, and Aakaash respectively and admirably. While I felt that all the actors were excellent, Zayed Khan’s acting crackled. When Khan was in a scene, his energy oozed across the screen.
One by one, the first two are caught after many fast and fancy chase scenes on motorcycles, skateboards, speed boats, police cars, and helicopters cinematographically shot Tony Scott-like.
While the British police are shown in full force, the fire power seemed excessive.
As the detective, Arjun, played by Anil Kapoor, closes in on the last criminal, Aakaash, and the train speeds along the rails, tempers flare, and prejudice and pride erupt. You learn that the criminals wanted the ransom money for a brother’s eye operation and to put their lives back together.
Ajay as Aakaash is a man who has lost his family because his request for citizenship was denied.
The contest of wills between Aakaash and Arjun is central to the story as both present sympathetic characters with matching intelligence and skills. Arjun’s professional experience gives him an edge. Yet, even as a legal citizen, he faces prejudice while doing his job trying to catch his fellow countrymen.
As Aakaash pleads for his life asking “Do you have any idea how many people and families have been ruined because they can not get citizenship? All I wanted was my wife, my child, my hopes, my future.
Director: Priyandarshan
Screenplay: Robin Bhatt
Producer: Sanchita Chatterjee
Cinematography: Riki Butland, S. Timu
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgan, Zayed Khan, Sameera Reddy, Boman Irani, Kangana Ranaut, and more.
Release date: April 2012
