What is it all about?
Suspending the run of the mill believe of a b-town revenge drama. Mohit Suri's `Ek Villain' is brutal and lyrical game changer for all concerned. An intensely probing cinematic experience `Ek Villain' is armed by startling twist, terrific performances, stirring emotional and spiritual undercurrents making this `Villain' a `hero' at the ticket window. Destined to open big this highly awaited revenge thriller has the required ingredients to keep the audience buzzing for long.
The Story
So is it a lift from the sensational "I Saw The Devil' by the Korean master filmmaker Kim Jee-Woon.. No. the only resemblance is the serial killer being hunted by one of his victim's close one. Otherwise Tushar Hiranandani and Milap Zaveri twine this story with a probing theory of good and evil where Guru (Sidharth Malhotra) is a no mercy, ruthless goon breaking bones and killing people in Goa for Caesar(Remo Fernandes). One day Guru meets Aisha (Shraddha Kapoor) she is god's gift of life. Aisha transforms Guru from a brooding hooligan to a caring husband just when Guru and Aisha's dreams are coming true an unholy invasion catastrophes everything leaving Aisha dead and Guru menacingly furious in his hunt for the evil who destroyed his dreams and while doing so Guru finds himself standing in between his past and future unable to answer the questions time is throwing at him.
What to look out for
Mohit Suri's credentials as a story teller are well established. But here the helmer excels himself in doing an incredible job. He makes the audience feel the power of the evil but at the same time transforms his characters into villain and hero at will opening up the debate on good v/s bad brilliantly.
Tushar Hiranandani and Milap Zaveri script establishes the characters aptly connecting them with the audience instantly. Providing proper structure to the proceedings the movie travels smoothly taking dramatic, thrilling, romantic, atmospheric and spiritual turns. Having its own language to speak the writer and the director remarkably display the villain and the hero in every single character that comes on screen. Amazing.
Though the debate on good and evil is between the protagonist and antagonist the movie mesmerizes the audience when they figure out the shades of hero and villain amongst the character artiste as well.
Certainly this one has the novelty and the courage to bite the audience nails throughout. There is violence but it hardly gets gory or falls prey to sadisms as it happens with thrillers involving serial killers.
Technically a notch above where Vishnu Rao lense work is just beautiful. Raju Singh's background is an important character in the film and he does well. Deven Murudeshwar editing is sharp. Milap Zaveri's dialogues are meaningful.
Music is another star in this project Ankit Tiwari, Mithoon and Soch (Band) deliver to the hilt. The soundtrack is already a rage `Galliyan', 'Banjaara', 'Zaroorat' and 'Awari' all are soothing to the core but `Galliyan' manages to stay along for long.
Ek Villain is not only a game changer in B-town genre of revenge thriller it is a diary of revelation for its actors.
Riteish Deshmukh - He is a class act. Casting his spell with such menacing ease and finesse. Truly Riteish spreads his wings beyond from an entertainer he turns into a serious performer demanding respect as an artiste.
Sidharth Malhotra is outstanding. Till now known for his good chocolate boy image. This role will be his hallmark for years to come. Student of the year introduced this talent to us Ek Villain discovers the talent and introduces a no nonsense actor in Sidharth to all of us. Tough job well done. Bravo.
Shraddha Kapoor is mesmerizing right from frame one. Charming and oozing with life Shraddha gives a winning performance.
Aamna Shariff as Riteish wife is superb. Remo Fernandes is quite good. Shaad Randhawa is fine. Kamaal R. Khan does his part very well. Prachi Desai oozes oomph in 'Awari'.
What not
It is not for everyone those looking for routine masala may be disappointed.
Conclusion: `Ek Villain' is a laudable game changer of b-town revenge sagas. Its intense, probing, terrifically performed mesmerizing cult amalgamation of style with substance. Missing this will be `evil'.
Rating ****
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