Kaminey (2009)

Kaminey is one of those Bollywood movies that does not want to follow the path of the typical movies that we see most days. Vishal Bharadwaj always makes such movies in which the viewers are forced to use their brains instead of leaving it at home. There are certain scenes that are reminiscent of Tarantino's movies - one particular scene involves a guy beating up others while some incongruous music is being played in the background. Shahid Kapoor plays a double role of the twin brothers, one of whom has a lisp while the other has a stutter. He does a commendable job in differentiating the two performances and is thoroughly convincing throughout. Priyanka Chopra is the female lead is decent but tends to be a tad over dramatic in certain moments. The music by the director Vishal Bharadwaj is one of the best with songs like Dhan Te Nan and Pehli Baar Mohabbat being the standout numbers. The main problem with the film is that it can be a bit difficult to understand the motives of the characters and to follow along with the plot. It is a different cinematic experience.

It's hard to tell if the original draft by Cajetan Boy (credited with the idea) explored the various facets of brotherhood. Given Bharadwaj's Shakespearean leanings, it is likely that they are his own. After multiple viewings, this aspect of Kaminey gains more prominence than any other and that includes the more exalted - Bharadwaj's TarantinoRitchiesque approach to the screenplay, Shahid Kapoor's research behind the execution of the speech defects, Amol Gupte, Priyanka Chopra and Dhan Ta Nan. The elderly Bengali brothers Mujeeb and 'Fumon' are avuncular in their adoration of Mikhail who prefers Charlie's company much like Charlie himself. The estranged twins, Charlie and Guddu must exorcise their childhood demons before they can patch up things between them. The cops Lobo and Lele are a Vega brothers-like (Tarantino's unfulfilled project with Travolta and Madsen playing their characters from Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs) couple, gun touting and cool in a crisis. Also, Lele's devotion seems matchless until it is tested. And then there's Bhope Bhau who inspires a fraternity that lasts as long as notions of lucrative gain remain with his 'baarat'.Vishal Bharadwaj's flair for dialogue that alternates between pithy modern-day aphorisms and poetry ("kare woh, bhare main") is evident here too, although it is much toned down in comparison to Maqbool and Omkara. 'Bhanwara aaya re ... phatak' and 'Pehli baar mohabbat ki hain' are examples of his musical and poetic abilities.

The plot may or may not be the most original - but the depiction and characterisation certainly is. It is violent but not gratuitously shown...it is funny (without being broad)...it is definitely a very stylishly put together movie...nothing is slammed in your face...its for you pick the nuances and enjoy it...Above all the writing of the individual characters is the best - charlie, guddu, sweety, dhope (my favourite of the lot), mikhail (great name for a bengali gangster!) and tashi... This movie is a directors movie - the acting is good but is really one in which vishal bharadwaj shows the sureness of his touch... this is the movie of a very good director - but also a director who has tasted success and does not feel the need to ensure success by adding moments for all - in short it is the movie of a very confident director... may his tribe increase

'Kaminey' follows Ram Gopal Verma's style of execution. Having worked with Gopal Verma, Vishal Bhardwaj has obviously adapted some of his style. This is very different from Bhardwaj's previous films and it certainly does not measure up to any of them. The story is not too different from any other gangster flick but it is treated well. It is perhaps Bhardwaj's most energetic film but at the same time it also follows a slow pace. The cinematography is competent. The songs are quite funny. Shahid Kapur and Priyanka Chopra are quite good but I liked Chandan Roy Sanyal the most as Charlie's wacky friend. Though I found 'Kaminey' to be enjoyable, it still lags behind when compared to Bhardwaj's previous films which are close to masterworks. To me 'Kaminey' had nothing new or much to offer. I suppose the director wanted to make something rather mainstream and he succeeds at that but what's next?