"Mithya" movie review

Well I finally caught Mithya. And just in time too. Finally because I have been reading good reviews about it on the internet and only last week a friend told me that he saw it and loved it. he also said Mithya is your kind of movie and you will love it. Just in time because even though it is a great movie, it is fast disappearing from the theaters.

So much for the intelligent movie goer in India or for that matter in urbane Mumbai. Here comes a great movie and even after great reviews, positive feedback and great word of mouth it really isn't pulling in crowds like it should. My feeling is that it didn't have item numbers (sad situation na?), not major undressing of the heroine(s) or the hero (as is the norm nowadays), and perhaps lack of front line stars. Anyway the movie has received critical acclaim, earned decent movie and given recognition to people like Rajat Kapoor, Ranvir Shorey, and even hot bod Neha Dhupia.

Now about the movie - a short review of Mithya.

The movie is awesome! The way the character of Ranvir Shorey is developed is great. The finer points, the nuances, the pettiness of the thugs, their take on their gruesome lives. All very well researched and thought out. Ranvir Shorey is obviously the star of the movie. Within minutes you feel for him and start sympathizing and empathizing with him. He is gullible, funny and a coward. Yet at times he is brave, street smart and brutal. Confusing? Mixed up? Isn't that how all of us are. At times fearful, at times brave.

Neha Dhupia has got a nice meaty role and she does competently. It does help that she is extremely easy on the eyes. She dresses like a wannabe actress and looks good in the role. She also is a gangsters moll and plays it well with style and bitterness well balanced in her performance. Naseer has a small role but is adequate. Vinay and his side-kick play their thug roles with aplomb. We also get to see former telly actress Irawati Harshe after a long time. And she looks delectable. She is attractive and charming as the don Raje's cute and understanding wife.

All in all engaging cinema and a great successful venture for Rajat Kapoor as a director. May he make many more films like this in the future. Also expected to do well in the coming week are films from Subhash Ghai, Black & White and a comic caper/gangster slapstick One Two Three which should be out in theaters soon.