A Wednesday: Watch It! review

Share

Yasser Usman reviews Neeraj pandey's A Wednesday

This week is one of the very rare weeks in Hindi cinema for the simple reason that two wonderful films have been released which do not boast of the so-called 'Stars'. Both the films are being applauded for their content. Thankfully the content is not an item song but infact gripping storylines. 'Tahaan' and 'A Wednesday' competing with each other at the box office is definitely a good sign for Indian cinema.

'A Wednesday' is the story of a fateful Wednesday in the hours between 2 and 6 pm. A "common man" (Naseeruddin Shah) calls up the Commissioner Of Police, Mumbai ( Anupam Kher) and tells him that he has planted bombs in five places around Mumbai, set to go off at 6:30 p.m. If the cops want to find the bombs and diffuse them, they will have to agree to the caller's demand. The demand being that four dreaded militants, lodged in different jails should be set free and should be taken to a specified place. Telling the story beyond this point will take the joy out of this well directed thriller. The film ends with a very interesting twist.

One man makes all the difference- Naseeruddin Shah. It's not an extraordinary role but Shah with his brilliance takes it to another level. So strong is his portrayal of the angry common man that you almost empathize with his justification, his angst. You forget that he is just an actor mouthing lines given to him by the dialogue writer. Naseer becomes the character. That intensity in voice, that anger in eyes, those frail expressions of a middle-class existence in Mumbai are so apparent in Naseer's interpretation that you want to see more of him. And if the claps of audience in the theaters are anything to go by, the country's finest actor hits you really hard during his outburst in the climax of 'A Wednesday.'

Matching Naseer line by line, scene by scene is Anupam Kher. This is a memorable week for Kher as two of his finer films released this Friday (Tahaan and A Wednesday). In both the films he plays diametrically different roles but just look at his range. These films are a wakeup call for the filmmakers of Bollywood who criminally waste Kher in nonsensical roles. The confrontation scenes between Kher and Naseer (over phone, they just meet once in the climax) in 'A Wednesday' are a treat. Complete "paisa-wasool" ;-)

Other actors have also performed well- Jimi Shergill and Aamir Bashir are good. Deepal Shaw had nothing important to do.

'A Wednesday' is a very brave film and debutant director Neeraj Pandey should be applauded for the effort. It's not an offbeat film but a completely commercial film with a message...and to make a "commercial" film with Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher and without any song-dance routine is not an easy job. However, the film has major flaws at the script level. It never justifies how a common man get hold of the finest gadgets that even the entire Mumbai police and intelligence agencies look completely naïve. But the screenplay and the editing cover up for the flaws. You are just glued to the seat watching twist after twist for 100 minutes ( yes..and it is promoted as '100 minutes of thrill- no songs, no dances, no sub plots).

Fuwad Khan's cinematography is excellent for the simple reason that in Naseer's role, there was no action happening but the camera was in action throughout and that too brilliantly. The background music is not outstanding but supports the mood of the film.

This is undoubtedly a good week for Hindi cinema. 'A Wednesday' may not be a potential blockbuster but times are changing for sure. Watch it for the outstanding performances of Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher. I assure you will not be disappointed.

[rating:3.5]

Watch A Wednesday trailer:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI3E1jneWvg[/youtube]