A review of Talaash

In Reema Kagti’s Talaash the opening sequence shows Bombay at night. Brilliant and beautiful, it sets the mood for what’s to follow. 

 A Bollywood actor gets killed in an accident on Bombay’s Sea-face road. Inspector Suraj Singh Shekhawat (Aamir Khan) investigates the case and the viewer is taken to seedy Mumbai alleys where crime and prostitution is a way of life. Shekhawat is fighting his own inner demons, with a depressed wife Roshni at home (brilliantly played by Rani Mukherjee). Suraj is unable to sleep at night and in one of his nocturnal outings, comes across sex worker Rosie (Kareena Kapoor), who takes him deeper into the mystery.

It is a brilliant, gripping story and the viewer is forever trying to catch up. Also, I it does not play at a frenetic pace, which worked well for me. Reema Kagti is always in control and the pace never slackens and the twist when it comes, will take you by total surprise. The cinematography by Mohanan is praiseworthy. Right from the opening sequence, I was in awe of his work. The music by Ram Sampath is also above average and luckily all songs are in the background and this works terribly well.

Both the leading ladies are excellent. Rani Mukherjee shines as the housewife. We can see her freckles as clearly as the pain in her eyes. She knows her craft. Kareena Kapoor also gives out a good performance as the girl with the golden heart.  Nawazuddin Siddiqui appears in a prominent role and he is super. But my highest praise goes to Aamir Khan. I think somewhere along the line, as he essayed his role as Inspector Shekhawat I forgot that he was Aamir Khan. Suraj’s grief , anguish, grit and weariness were brought to life brilliantly by Aamir. This movie just shows how good an actor we have in Aamir Khan.

The verdict – Talaash is brilliant, have never seen a Hindi thriller of such quality and definitely worth watching.