The #RashomonEffect in movies is the possibility of exploration of truth from multiple perspectives. I discovered an Indian film that does justice to this by playing out the same story three times and exploring three possible outcomes.
ASHOK’s FIVE reviews #MonsoonShootout featured on both #MUBI and #DisneyPlusHotstar and starring a brilliant #VijayVarma. Shot in Noir style with the Mumbai rains integrated beautifully, the cinematography by #RajeevRavi stands out. The movie is directed by #AmitKumar and stars #NeerajKabi, TannishthaChatterjee, NawazuddinSiddiqui and #FarhanMohammedHanifSheikh.
The standout feature of #MonsoonShootout is how well the Mumbai rains have been integrated into the narrative. There is the rookie cop, the dreaded gangster, the police boss who is a slave to the system and the dilemma in front of the cop. #VijayVarma puts in a spectacular performance as the rookie cop Adi who joins the force. His father’s advice rings in his ears - there are three paths one can take - the right path, the wrong path and the middle path.
On a dark, rainy night when the streets are flooded with slushy water, Adi has occasion to take down the gangster Shiva ( #NawazuddinSiddiqui). He can shoot him dead or let him go or take a middle path. The film at that juncture plays over three times with the story line tracking the sequence of events each time depending on the decision taken by Adi. To the director’s credit, the story lines are seamless and it is a tribute also to great writing that the sequences are not jarring.
I find #VijayVarma a very intriguing actor. The fact that he has oodles of talent is pretty much well known. Viewers will remember him in the double role in Mirzapur 2. I think this man will go places but it is a question of getting the right kind of roles.
A special mention for the roles played by #NeerajKabi and #TannishthaChatterjee. Both excel in their roles. Kabi is convincing in his role as the senior cop who has ‘settled’ down well into the ‘system’.
#MonsoonShootout is co-produced by #AnuragKashyap and was premiered in the Cannes International Film Festival in 2013. With its very competent cast and novel premise, it could have been developed into a really powerful film. Nonetheless, it is a taut thriller and definitely worth a one-time watch for the sheer brilliance of the craft and the performances.
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