Nonika Singh
once upon a time there was a classic called Saheb Biwi Aur Gulam. One evening two friends, producer Rahul Mittra and director Tigmanshu Dhulia, sat together reminiscing about their favourite Guru Dutt film. Creative juices flowed and thus was born the very riveting Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster set in the modern times, both inspired by and turning the original on its head.
The sequel too was engaging enough and had enough fire power to keep us invested in the unethical ways of its sahebs, biwis and gangster. Alas, in its third outing the makers have missed more than a step. Third time unlucky, they may not be, but on the count of creativity and imagination the film falls way short.
Indeed, the prototype is the same; decaying vestiges of royalty, Machiavellian tactics, scheming men and more importantly cunning women. Taking off from its prequels, there is no sati savitri nari here, but sassy and impertinent Madhavi (Mahie Gill) gunning for her piece of pie which she wants to have and eat it too.
In fact, titular parts from previous franchises both Madhavi and Saheb (Jimmy Sheirgill) are very much there. For value addition there is Sanjay Dutt, portraying a disgraced member of another royal family. Unnecessarily saddled with a bad marriage, and then a love angle and goodness gracious, even songs, it’s not a part cut out for the Sanjay of today. The most jarring note in his character build up is struck by the silly one-liner ‘lo aa gaya tumhara baap’ that plays loud and grating in the background each time the director feels it befitting to announce the presence of Sanju baba. Wish the director had thought of some more inventive ways to drive home Sanju baba’s arrival onscreen. This one hardly helps to buttress him or his character.
In contrast, Jimmy Sheirgill and Mahie Gill stand tall. Even in the understated shades, they convey all the emotions; frustration, malice and vile most correctly. Chitrangada Singh looks lovely and the first few scenes where she is all fire and ice mislead you into believing she has a meaty part. But her love story with Sanjay Dutt doesn’t quite gel. And it’s not just her, a host of other actors Kabir Bedi, Nafisa Ali and Soha Ali Khan too are wasted. Besides, there are some unwanted connections, residues of the past, especially the daughter of the family faithful which don’t fit in and fall flat. There are many missing links and loose ends too. Indeed, there is an attempt to hike up the intrigue quotient. To add to the lure of mystery, Russian Roulette figures prime time and not only finds mention with royal gleam and pride in the beginning but also is the climactic point of the film. As you brace for some adrenaline rushing action to rescue the film from plumbing into deep morass, especially when the lead actors take on each other, the drama acquires a bloodier hue. Only, the ensuing blood bath leaves your completely drained. Not to say that the movie doesn’t hold you in parts, the husband-wife enmity, in particular, is devilishly delectable. But the overall fare is anything but satiating.
A pity, for Dhulia is one director who truly knows his craft. Only if he hadn’t been bitten by sequelitis bug and knew when to put a stop to his inspiration, we would not have to put up with this complex mess.
nonikasingh@tribunemail.com
