The promo promised a lot. The music got you in. You knew that it had a stamp of Vishal Bhardwaj so you looked forward to this film. Eventually...it wasn't disappointing. Had a good time though one felt things should have been better.
The film shines because of two folks primarily - Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi. As mama-bhanja, they are an awesome sight with their mannerisms and characterization - you could go with them on a journey for quite a while.
The movie also has that great feel of the location, which also shines due to the characters that are portrayed in this UP setting. It's a fresh look and in this new world you do enjoy being there.
The two guys are on run after conning a friend (a don) and end up taking shelter in the house of a widow (Vidya Balan); things complicate with the don catching them and giving an ultimatum, which forces them to get into kidnapping as per the widow's wishes, but things turn worse and more complicated as both fall in love with the woman.
The challenge in doing a caper film is to keep the focus on the story especially when you are trying to have a good deal of fun with the characters. It's not an easy task and this is where Ishqiya doesn't do a great job of balancing.
It starts by creating two captivating (buddy) characters, sends them on a journey that is looking to be exciting but as they get into the middle act, the rising complications get into confusing one with Balan's character coming in. The idea is a good one and yet...it's her character that's not a solid one - she fluctuates too much. She is supposed to have sinister purpose but...there tends to be inconsistency, which makes the going tough.
As such when they enter the last act, the climax with excessive action and less focus on the protagonists it somewhat gets messy.
Abhishek Chaubey, the young director, who shares screenplay credit on films like Omkara and Kameeney does a pretty good job on debut and is a talent to watch for in the future.
Warsi shows how good he is and Naseer shows how brilliant he is. Together they make this film quite watchable.
Rating **1/2
Max Rating
[Viewed on Mac at Chembur on 25th March, 2010]
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