Ghanchakkar Movie Review

Read the Exclusive Ghanchakkar Movie Review by Niyatee Sharma

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Star-Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, Rajesh Sharma, Namit Das

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Director: Rajkumar Gupta

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Producer: Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapur

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Duration: 2 hrs 18 mins

Memory loss is a well honed concept in Bollywood, but it’s never been used in a movie like this! Aamir Khan was obviously faking it in Andaz Apna Apna and he really had lost his nut in Ghajini. But Ghanchakkar will leave you stumped and keep you guessing till the very last minute!

Going into the movie, I knew it’ll be a crazy ride if the trailers were any indication. The opening credits were a genius way to introduce us to the main characters. Emraan Hashmi, the epitome of a lazy husband, and Vidya Balan, an exaggerated caricature of a Punjabi wife. They’re retired thieves who are now trying to live a normal life with a chemistry that will remind you of Bunty aur Babli i.e very very hot indeed. The roller coaster ride starts when Emraan receives an offer he cannot refuse. Rajesh Sharma, who plays an oily slacker of a man ironically named Pandit, and his sidekick, a good for nothing gun wielding Idris (Namit Das). They rob a bank in the most hilarious manner possible with “guest appearances” from Amitabh Bachchan, Dharamendra and a very confused Utpal Dutt . Emraan Hashmi is asked to keep the money in a safe place for three months.

Simple enough? But yeh Bollywood hai bhai! The fun begins and chaos ensues, which is all well and good till the first half. Somewhere along the way, all this confusion and uncertainty starts to take a toll on you. The high you felt in the beginning of the interval completely fades towards the climax of the movie. The ending is rushed, abrupt and leaves you dissatisfied. A typical Rajkumar Gupta stunt which we’ve seen in his films Aamir and No One Killed Jessica.

That being said, there are plenty of LOL moments in this movie. The witty one liners will leave the entire hall in throes of laughter. Sharma and Das play a dysfunction duo of petty thieves to a t! And Oh My God – hats off to Vidya Balan, her clothes and the “hain?”. She is brilliant (yet again) and supports our very dazed and confused hero superbly. Emraan Hashmi justified his standing as an A list actor.

Amit Trivedi can do no wrong! I was humming “Lazy Lad” long after I had left the theatre. The quirkiness of the music plays up the strange mix of mystery and comedy that is Ghanchakkar. A unique take on a cliqued concept - a movie as awesome as this, deserved a better ending. I’d still call it a must watch because when it’s good, it’s bloody brilliant!

Overall Review Verdict: A unique mix of comedy and thriller with a brilliant story line, star cast and direction. A must watch even if it does end on a low note.
Ratings: 3.5/5