Movie Review | Neeyat: Whodunit an outlier in Bollywood, but A for effort
Well intended, but it could have been crafted with greater skill. The temptation to be distracted by cliches can often contribute to the undoing of a film. Anu Menon, for whatever reason, prefers a few needless cliches and robs the film part of its credibility. There is also the feeling that he could have baked his script longer and tidier. He seems to have rushed into making the film without a final script — the backbone of a good whodunit. However, it must be said to his credit that this is not a jellyfish.
The content is obviously Agatha Christie, but the style, faltering. Our filmmakers are relative strangers to the genre, which invariably robs them of the opportunity to get in melodies, gardens, chiffon saris and the likes of Lata to Shreya in the background, a reliable prop. With this missing, our filmmakers are inhibited in space: Yes, we have ‘Gumnaam’ as a contra indicator. In that case, Raja Nawathe sold the murder mystery alongside the everlasting melodies of Shanker Jaikishan. Today, the grammar is more distinct. Our filmmakers would be tempted to have a song in ‘The Orient Express’! Anu Menon eschews such temptation and builds a reasonably watch-worthy thriller.
Over to the picturesque, if deserted, high grave castle in Scotland, its owner Ashish Kapoor (Ram Kapoor) and his event manager Tanveer (Danesh Razvi) are busy inviting a motley group of dysfunctional social butterflies to a birthday bash. Ashish Kapoor is inspired by Vijay Mallya. The fugitive on the run may be panned by the electronic media in India but is living life king-size in Scotland. His birthday celebrations coincide with the arrival of the storm Irene. Therefore, the guests at the birthday party are marooned and bound to stay back.
Tanveer ensures that the viewers have a peep into the guest list. We have Dr Neeraj Kabi (Sanjay Suri), a debarred doctor, his wife Noor (Dipannita Sharma) their adolescent son (Madhav Devar). Arriving at the party, AK’s lady friend Lisa (Shahana Goswami) tags along with her relative (Ishika Mehra). Another important guest is tarot reader Zara (Nikki Walia). There is also AK’s half-son Ryan (Shashank Arora), a drug addict, and AK’s brother-in-law Jimmy Mistry (Rahul Bose). Ryan’s girlfriend Gigi (Prajakta Koli) is in attendance and so is AK’s secretary Kay (Amrita Puri). Joining the dozen is CBI officer Mira Rao (Vidya Balan).
Very early into the film, AK announces: brace yourself for a cold, dark and stormy night. What he doesn’t add is it could also be an intriguing fatal night. An amateur attempt on the life of AK includes the crash-landing of a chandelier and the death of a dog. While AK grandly announces that he is proud to be amid his kith and kin, he also in private complains that nobody deceives you more than your kith.
Even as the party is reaching high spirits, an attempt is made on the CBI officer. Mira Rao, by now, is probing into the goings-on. The high-decibel dance floor is silenced. At the dinner table, AK, much to the disappointment of one and all, announces that he would surrender to the police, explaining the presence of Mira Rao at the birthday party. However, events move thick and fast, leading to the plummeting of the hopes of many guests. Every one of the invitees has their axes to grind and skeletons in their cupboard to hide.
Quickly after the grandiose announcement the dozen are witnessed to AK jumping down a cliff, leaving behind a suicide note. Death catches up before the slumbered Indian police. This is also where we reach half-time.
While the rest are engrossed in the sudden tragedy, Mira declares that it was a murder and not a suicide. The stage is now set for the thriller and to solve the mystery of who killed the fugitive and why. As she probes, she deals with each individual and finds an ‘elementary Watson’ scenario as she moves from one suspect to another.
There is her grandiose declaration – “Aap ka motive clear hai”, To those who are busy coming to conclusions about the culprit of whodunit, a statement from Mira comes as good advice. She says “It is dangerous when you start believing your own bullshit”. The needle of suspicion moves swiftly and fast pointing at every invitee but settles nowhere. However, this is not Murder on the Orient Express.
The narrative must necessarily stop here to ensure the viewer's interest, not to mention box office prospects. Suffice it to state that there are interesting twists and unexpected turns to happenings that would keep the viewer engrossed. There is a final manoeuvring in the tale that makes the entire film in retrospect far more interesting than others.
The talented assembly of actors, notwithstanding many of them, do not live up to their repute as good actors. For instance, Shahana Goswami has a cardboard cut-out role and suffers at the hands of the script. Rahul Bose makes a valiant attempt to play a vibrant Shammi Kapoor and fails; sobriety is his strength. Girvani Dhyani, Advaita Kala and Priya Venkatraman, who joined the director in scripting the film, fall into predictable potholes. They introduce contemporary popular props such as the dumb-wit secretary and a gay man, the adulterous woman and the live-in girlfriend, all of which are too template stricken. The likes of Sanjay Suri, Shashank Arora, and Amrita Puri are all delivery conscious rather than script engaging. If only the foursome in charge of the script had flashed their character with a little more effort, 'Neeyat' would have been a far better watch.
To a whodunit, a tight script is as important as the characters go in distracting the views and suspicion of the culprit. When these characters turn very linear, there is a certain yawn element that creeps into the story and robes it of credibility. To reiterate, this withstanding, 'Neeyat' is indeed well-intentioned.
Two Important performances nudge the film upwards. It is now clear that Vidya Balan habitually adds value with acting powers to any film. She is a different investigating officer in this outing and her display of a calm exterior and non-aggressive stance throughout is well augmented by the story line. The other important character in the film that contributes largely to the authenticity of the film is how Ram Kapoor plays the role of AK.
An interesting cameo from an unannounced actor turning the table adds credibility and also the possibility of a sequel to Neeyat. A hundred and forty minutes initially seem a tad dreary, but Anu Menon ensures he catches the eyeballs of the viewer post the interval. ‘Neeyat’ may have its faults and its sketchy moments. But if you go to this Scotland castle, you are unlikely to crib about the effort.
Cast: Vidya Balan, Ram Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Dipannita Sharma
Direction: Anu Menon