My theory about modern crime thrillers is that the intrigue builds up to a point at which you know that it can then move in any direction. It reaches a crossroads point which can then make the film or mar it. If written well, it holds your interest by building up the suspense in a cogent manner. Beyond that point, a well written script can take it to greater heights. Hollow writing can never salvage it and no amount of star value or acting prowess can attempt redemption.
ASHOK’s FIVE reviews Director #VinilMathew’s new film on #Netflix… #HaseenDilruba. The movie begins with Rani Kashyap (#TaapseePannu) feeding mutton to street dogs outside her home and suddenly there is a gas cylinder explosion that kills her husband Rishu (#VikrantMassey). The story then goes into flashback and shows the couple getting married. They form a very unlikely couple. She is bold and has a lot of sass, while he is a government employee who practises homeopathy for a hobby. She moves to a fictitious small town Jwalapur on the banks of the Ganga but problems begin for the couple. She complains to her mom and relatives about how she is finding it tough to cope while he attempts to make it work by placating his mother. Things come to a head when Rishu’s cousin Neel (#HarshvardhanRane) lands up. He is dashing, wears his hair long, pumps iron and ferries tourists around on river rafting trips. The point of crossroads comes when Rani ventures into the kitchen to make tea for Neel. You wonder what turn the story will take from here!
Some scenes are delightful. That tea making scene, for example. On one hand Rani is flirting with Neel. On the other hand, Rishu sees her foray into the kitchen as making amends for their rocky relationship. He softens visibly and helps her out. Quite a few moments of humour as well in the first half as the couple get to know each other and try to adjust. #YaminiDas plays the mother-in-law and is brilliant in her portrayal of the woman who wears the pants in the household. #DayaShankarPandey plays Rishu’s father and subjects himself to makeovers by the daughter-in-law.
Writer #KanikaDhillon has her trademark firebrand women character in the story and Rani does make an impact. However, post that crossroads point, the narrative goes haywire and one finds it difficult to understand what gets the couple back together. Rani is inspired by the works of mystery-erotic writer Dinesh Pandit and the story plays out as per one of his books. #Aditya Srivastava plays the experienced cop who tries all his techniques to get her to confess. Her story is apparently so engrossing that the other cops in the station leave everything and crowd around the door. At one point, they support her much to the chagrin of Shrivastava.
The climax and the unfolding of what actually happened has some high points but the narrative has slipped too far down the abyss to keep viewer attention going.
#VinilMathew is clearly taking a risk here and hoping the bet pays off. I just felt that the story just doesnt land. Story telling of this nature has something called building the character arc. In this particular case, I did not quite get the arc that was laid out for Rishu. In spite of a fantastic portrayal of the character by #VikrantMassey, the film does not rise above the ordinary. Do watch out for the shots of the river and the multi-level house that the camera plays around with. I think some of those images are surely the highlight of this genre-bending film that shimmers to disappoint!
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