The Rainmaker

Movie: Kaminey
Language : Hindi
Date : 15th Aug, 2009

Review
How far can a director compromise on the theme, presentation, script and screenplay of a movie to accommodate more span of the viewer population? Watching the movie 'Kaminey', you understand that Vishal has a somewhat clear answer to the above question. 'Kaminey' is a dark tale about the life, aspirations and misadventures of two distinctly unique characters who happen to be twins as well. The theme on the outset looks like a tried and tested formula in bollywood but Vishal makes a compelling depiction out of an oft repeated theme.

A Dark Thriller
'Kaminey' takes you on a ride along the thrilling lives of a gangster named 'Charlie' and an aspiring NGO activist named 'Guddu' whose follies make them encounter bigger goons, gangsters, dons and politicians. Their paths entwine in an interesting journey of mistaken identity, deceit, brotherhood and their past, along with the host of baddies breathing down their necks. What lacks in this ride, is that at many portions it takes its own sweet pace, which may irk you.

Performances
Shahid is stupendous as ‘Charlie’ and ‘Guddu’. His lisping and stammering takes on the twins, leave you in awe of this actor at a relatively young phase in his career. The mean, emotionless, dark and ambitious 'Charile' who pronounces every ‘S’ as ‘F’ is in stark contrast to the methodically aspiring, reserved, cute and romantic ‘Guddu’ who stammers. Shahid gets lot of help from the script which boasts of possibly the best conceived twins in recent times on screen. The characters have been sketched so distinctly that by the end, when the 2 characters come face to face, we almost feel that 2 actors are doing these roles. Shahid successfully negotiates the high adrenaline rush of Charile and the romantic scenes of Guddu.

Priyanka Chopra as ‘Sweety’ is loud and adds a lot of spunk, when she is on screen but frankly she has not much to do relatively.
The supporting cast has put in a good show with Amol Gupte being the pick of the lot.

Music Camera and Action
The cinematography is apt for a brooding gangster movie. Music goes well with the movie. The 'Dhan ta nan' song and the tune has been used well. The slow 'Pehli baar Mohabbat' is also nice but most of the tracks are ok for one time hear during the movie, as they flow well with the mood of it. Action scenes are shot well with a hollywoodisque touch.

Negatives
The major negative of 'Kaminey' is that it many times falters in pace. The proceedings till the interval look much better than what happens after it. The interval is a high point, though expected, but its a downward slope after that. Kaminey needs fair amount of patience to sit through. For majority of the commercial movie lovers, 'Kaminey' would not go down well with them. But from Vishal's point of view, he is just trying to tell the story in his own sweet time. But the question is does the majority of the audience think alike. Perhaps for a thriller, at many points a faster take was required.
Finally, 'Kaminey' is a good watch if you can keep aside your masala movie instincts and show some patience to take the ride along with the director, who wouldn't budge for many compromises.

Verdict : On a scale of 5, I would rate 'Kaminey' at 3.

My Opinion is "Good for the ones with Patience'.

Kaminey - A gut'f'y take!