By Martin D'Souza, Bollywood Trade News Network
Within a span of 12 months, two directors have tried to 'reincarnate' KARZ. First, it was Farah Khan with OM SHANTI OM last Diwali, and now Satish Kaushik with a few more Zs to the name KARZZZZ. While trade reports have labeled OSO a 'Super Hit', KARZZZ will not be far behind as I'm sure it will rake in the moolah within the first week itself and in the overseas market, it will come back with a huge roar!
I'm talking purely in terms of the monetary benefits for the makers because film-making is a business and at the end of the day it is the balance sheet that counts and T-Series have made a wise investment in remaking this Subhash Ghai Classic. With a tight script in place, there was absolutely no room for a flop show here, save for the gamble they took with Himesh Reshamiya to play Monty, a role immortalised by the legendary Rishi Kapoor. I will come to Himesh later.
If the audience took to OSO, I see no reason why KARZZZZ will not make it big. For one, it has good production values; the cinematography, lighting, sound, choreography, sets are extremely appealing not to forget the Himesh touch to the music. And if you are willing to suspend common sense, you can actually sit through this movie. It's not a torture after all, like some recent films that have made their way to the theatres, boasting of huge star cast and big banners.
The movie begins well and keeps you glued to the screen even though you know what will happen. Full marks to Satish Kaushik here. But it is only towards the interval and beyond that the loose ends begin to show. Foremost among them being Urmila Matondkar, who plays Princess Kamini who has killed Ravi Varma. Twenty-five years later, when Ravi Varma is reborn as Monty, Kamini has not aged a single day. In fact she looks as old, if not younger than Himesh! May be she got her hands on the magic potion that Riz Raizada was trying to seize from DRONA a few weeks ago!
As for Himesh, he has improved since AAP KA SUROOR. Last year, I had mentioned he had just one set of expression throughout and just one tone. No voice modulation, no body language. He had that same well-rehearsed look he gives in all his music videos from under his cap. Surprisingly, he has a much better performance here. He has worked on his shortcomings, there are many more expressions and he has also worked on his body language. I mean, he is no Amitabh Bachchan, but you can't help but notice the extra effort he has put. So you cannot really ignore that aspect.
Newcomer Shweta Kumar reminds one of yesteryear singer Preeti Sagar. She has not much of a role. The roles of Danny Denzongpa and Raj Babbar, mercifully are not over the top. As for Urmila, she gets a huge canvass after a long lay-off to show off her oomph. Dino, too surprises in his cameo.
For the newer generation who have no inkling of the original, KARZZZZ is all about love, betrayal, murder, reincarnation and revenge.
This film is nowhere near the original, neither is it path-breaking cinema. To put it plainly, it is a good entertainer in the SINGH IS KINNG bracket.
Himesh fans I'm sure will let out a roar of approval!
