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It rises above the run-of-the-mill thriller primarily because of clever narration of the story designed to keep the audience guessing till the final denouement.

By Jivraj Burman  3 Stars
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2 stars Director Nair, who earlier impressed with Ahista Ahista gets the classic feel right, but his direction gets monotonous and unexciting, and the overly placid, passionless pace makes every plot turn predictable. - Jahan Bakshi    Fri, 05 Dec 2008
It's aged and vintage like fine scotch, and as old fashioned as an HMT watch. Shivam Nair's Maharathi based on Uttam Gada's acclaimed Gujarati play, and irrespective of the story, it really couldn't be more aptly titled- especially when it stars the likes of Paresh Rawal, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Boman Irani. It's sad then, that this noiree- soirée doesn't quite live up to the tease.

This was a script crying out for a better cinematic adaptation, and while the film begins with great promise, director Nair impeccably setting the mood for a riveting, enticing and blackly funny film, Maharathi soon begins to get inexcusably dull and boring, the initial lure of surprise turning out to be a never ending exercise in cinematic foreplay. Perhaps Gada, who also has adapted the play for the screen, ought to have collaborated with a good screenwriter to give Maharathi a little more verve and momentum. As last year's Manorama Six Feet Under showed us, a moody thriller need not be all about speed, but there's nothing more tedious than a crime caper that moves as slowly as a Rath Yatra- really.

In fact, talking of being cinematic, it's also disappointing to see the staged feel to the proceedings, only partially salvaged by the stalwarts lending their talents to this film, though hardly anyone is really outstandingly good here. Naseeruddin Shah keeps you glued to the film with sheer charm and charisma while he's there, and this is perhaps the best and most assured performance of the lot. Paresh Rawal is good, except that he is just too- well, himself, and while it a pleasure to see him playing the lead with much enthusiasm, there is too much familiarity and just not enough flair in his act. Neha Dhupia is peculiarly grating, while Boman Irani again goes slam-bam with a heavy dose of salami and ham. Om Puri- well, he comes and goes without impact and with haste, and makes us squirm yet again to see an actor of his caliber undergoing such waste.

Director Nair, who earlier impressed with Ahista Ahista gets the classic feel right, but his direction gets monotonous and unexciting, and the overly placid, passionless pace makes every plot turn predictable, as by the time it arrives, you have already guessed it. You keep waiting for the carpet to be pulled from under your feet, but by the end, all you feel is an unpleasant, cold thud.


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