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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Once Upon a Time In Mumbai

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Ajay Devgan, Imran Hashmi, Randeep Hooda, Kangana Ranaut, Prachi Desai
Director : Milan Lutharia

Music : Pritam, Sandeep Shirodhkar (bg score)

Right from the olden days, we have seen many movies having gangster themes told in the backdrop of Mumbai. There are many examples
right from Ramesh Sippy's 'Deewaar' to Ramgopal Varma's 'Company'. Milan Lutharia, the director of movies like 'Kache Dhage', 'Chori Chori', 'Taxi No 9211' etc had come up with his new project that tell the gangsters lived in olden Mumbai titled, 'Once Upon a Time In Mumbai'. Rajat Arora, who worked with the same director in a couple of his previous projects like 'Hattrick' and 'Taxi No 9211', has written the script of this movie. It is produced by Ekta Kapoor, under the banner of Balaji Films. Most of the actors who comes in lead roles have got experience before in doing these kinds of movies like Ajay Devgan (in 'Company'), Randeep Hooda (in 'D'), Imraan Hashmi and Kangana Ranaut (both in 'Gangster').

As the title tells, the story of the movie happens in Mumbai in the earlier 70's. It is being unfold by the police chief, Angel Wilson (Randeep Hooda). On the week of the Mumbai blasts of 93, he is giving his olden memories where the rise of a gangster named Sultan Mirza (Ajay Devgan) has been shown. Being brought up in the city, he has got a suffering child hood days. when grown up, he also became a popular factor among the people as far the metro is concerned. He calls on a meeting, where he divides the city to four others for carrying out their illegal activites. He used the sea traffic for smuggling activities. He is fond of Rehana (Kangana Ranaut), a bollywood actress, later both of them started loving each other. Shoaib Khan (Imran Hashmi), son of a police man, is being involved in small kinds of robberies right from his childhood days. When came to know about Sultan, he started imitating the former's style. Shoaib also wanted to become a don one day, that rules the city of Bombay. Soon he got a chance to meet Sultan and thus he joined the latter's gang. How Shoaib achieves his dream and whether Sultan allows him to do so are shown in the later portions.

The movie that tells the story of the Mumbai almost 35 years before, had been neatly handled by the director. The buildings, costly cars, roads, studios, hotels, police officers, hundred rupee note etc has been projected as it is happened in those days. Art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai had lot of work to do in that area. The costumes and the make up department (evident in the case of Imran Hashmi), did their job well. The lead characters had got the shades of real life characters Haji Mustan, Dawood Ibrahim, Mandakini (actress) etc that lived in the city in olden days. The theater showing the old blockbuster 'Bobby' and the rise of stardom of Amitabh Bachan through the heroine's words, substantiates the period well. The dialogues used in the movie needs special mentioning. Unlike other movies, here you have got an abrupt ending, which won't be easily digest for us. The character of Emran Hashmi hass got shades of Ram's role in telugu movie 'Jagadam', directed by Sukumar.

Ajay Devgan had done the lead role in a lovable way. The romantic boy Imran Hashmi has got a different job to do, he is good in the rough and tough appearance. As always, Kangana Ranaut performed well. Randeep Hooda is also notable in the police officer's suits. Pritam's songs goes with the story, Sandeep Shirodhkar gave an excellent bg score. Cinematography by Aseem Misra is excellent and editor Akiv Ali also did his job well.


'Once Upon a Time In Mumbai' is yet another gangster movie told in the backdrop of Mumbai. Those who love such subjects, should certainly watch it.


Rating : 7 / 10

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