Kaminey - A Review

They say it is very difficult to recognize contemporary genius. True, the likes of kill bill and fight club were instantly recognized for the genius they were, but not many others. Kaminey might be the genius that many would find difficult to recognize.

The fact that I get to talk of genius when it comes to a Hindi movie is refreshing. For starters, intelligence becomes a pre-requisite, and in the world of the KJs, Vishal Bhardwaj's work stands out. To put it in the form of an exasperated reaction, the immediate quip after watching the movie was 'don't the "popular-ist Indian directors" want to commit suicide when they see movies like this'!

Getting to the movie itself, Kaminey creates a world that keeps the entire audience completely enthralled for the duration of the movie. True, the entire world can draw parallels between Tarentino and Bhardwaj, but the "lead" characters in the Kaminey world are more real world than the likes of Bill and the Bride. This is just one of the many factors that will give the movie universal acceptance with the Indian audiences. One understands that the movie is very different from the usual spoonfeeding genre of Hindi thrillers that we have become used to. One understands this when for the first few minutes, one finds it difficult to come to terms with the variety and the pace of the movie as one character is introduced after another. These characters are limitless, stupendously oddball in nature, and get their deserved limelight. The performances are wonderful, the wordplay is carefully scripted and the camerawork is just unparalleled. And that is merely the beginning of the accolades you can load on Kaminey.

Its like a fast paced thriller, really, Kaminey is. You are relentlessly turning the pages just to find out whats new on the next one, and the one after that, and so on. And then, its much more than being just a fast paced thriller. There are times when just before ending up in frenzied scene, the plot lapses into a slow (mundane by its own high standards, well done nevertheless) romantic sequence.

Its also got all the makings of a creative genius. The first sequence would find it easy to fit in with the best of the cult classics. "Fatack", a mainstream, peppy, typical Hindi movie number is much more than just that - while other directors would have spent a good portion of a half hour building the characters of Guddu and Sweety and spoonfeeding the audience with the sketch, Bhardwaj gives the audience a fitting message and the introduction at the same time. There are countless brilliant sequences throughout that leave you completely enthralled, ending in a wonderful "climax" - I would have to say that the entire movie moves like the climax of a conventional Hindi movie.

Kaminey is a rare thing in the world of Hindi movies. And there are many things that enable the movie to do this. Foremost is the script. Its complicated, and that means that Bhardwaj could have lost the plot in so many places. The fact that he keeps the line taut is praiseworthy, and a great feat. Then are the characters, and we can talk about the characters for hours, that add a whiff of fresh air. They are exceptionally scripted, and wonderfully portrayed. Another success mantra of the movie is the wit and the sense of humor, that manages to get dark and subtle at the same time. Most importantly, the great thing is that Bhardwaj does not let the audience understand the title very easily - and that is an overreaching theme throughout the movie. Kaminey wants you to think, and come to terms with everytning on your own.

My verdict: Awefome. Fpend your money and go watch it!