The forbidden zone

Nonika Singh

Indian men and their sexual escapades...an ideal subject for sociological research perhaps. But when the same gets reflected in a film it should either be a roaring sex comedy or a deep insight. Sadly Hunterrr is neither. If the fun quotient of the film is disappointing so is its ability to delve deep into forbidden matters of sex. 

Going back and forth in time as intercepts read—two months later, one year after and similar such time lags, it’s not only the timeline that throws you off track. The director too seems lost. As he takes us on a voyeuristic ride into the sex life of Mandar (Gulshan Devaiah), who chases anything and everything, not just in a skirt, even a saree, jeans; in short, the female form itself is enough to have him salivating. Sure for a while you are keen to know how he will hunt and target his next conquest. But as it goes on and on, in no time you lose interest. To keep you engaged there are some side characters and their tales too. 

Actually, the film begins as a story of three cousins who go through the motions of growing up as well as relieving themselves together. As is the wont with growing up boys and grown up men too, girls and sex are uppermost in their minds. Mandar, despite his average looks, it seems has mastered the art of pataoing the fair sex. His mantra goes thus—always aim for the second best and you will have her. 

Of course, if you are a feminist you might take issues not just with this assertion but also the way the camera lingers on women’s curves and more. As it also takes into its fold the sexually frustrated wives (there is a Savita bhabhi too) and a heroine (Radhika Apte) with a colourful past, you so hope for a deeper reflection on the intimate lives of men and women in question. Alas, the film goes on a different tangent and finally moves on to incorporate the noble emotion of love.

 Sex comes out of the closet alright but goes right back where good Indians believe it belongs— in the institution of marriage.

Sexuality, repressed or otherwise, rarely finds its way in Hindi cinema. Only as it does in Hunterrr how you wish the film had used its dare to bare to say something significant or at least impactful. Of course, actors do make an impact. Gulshan Devaiah as the sex crazed man despite flaws in the film, is incredibly good. And with each film, lovely Radhika Apte (last seen in Badlapur) is proving to be a revelation. So are they good enough for you to warrant a dekho? As they say read the following rider carefully. 

If you are the squeamish kind who get fidgety with shades of grey... keep a safe distance. However, if you are brave enough to brave such discomfiting issues... or you are the lascivious sort like our unconventional hero who keeps calling himself Vasu (a derivative of vassna) go ahead. Only do not expect any resolutions. But then as Mandar says in the film–— sex is a biological need, no more no less. The film, however, is unlikely to satiate any of yours, especially if you are the female of the species. Though sleazy in good measure it skirts the real issue and stays on the surface.