Review: A Wednesday (Hindi)

2009 Sept 6th

Title: A Wednesday (Hindi)
Starring: Anupam Kher, Nasiruddin Shah,
Directed by: Neeraj Pande

Score: 7.5 out of 10

Here is yet another tightly spun movie with good police work, suspense and some excellent acting. Having Anupam Kher and Nasiruddin Shah in the lead leaves no doubt that the performance of these two veteran actors would be nothing but mature. The act of casting these two actors in the lead role itself shows that the director is doing something different. This is a movie which has conscisioslly shunned all the Bollywood Cliches and in the process bring along a freshness which the Hindi movie industry need in large doses. I cant help contrast this decent movie with that pathetic excuse for a crime thriller called "Gajini". While Gajini was utterly unbelievable, A Wednesday is very convincing. The realistic treatment given to it by the director ensure we take the movie, the roles and the director seriously.

The movie starts off with a phone call to the Mumbai Police headkuarters that bombs have been placed in a police station itself. The way the charceters are introduced sets up the story kuite well. The retired police chief Anupam Kher being brought a chair to sit on the beach side by a Police man shows how powerful he is. Similarly the director uses good tricks to play on the audience. What follows next is the negotiations between the Police chief and the terrorists about what is the give and take. This makes for an exciting movie.

It was nice to see that the Indian police atleast in Mumbai have at their disposal some sophisticated computers and other technology and they do use it to track down the terrorists. At the same time it is scary to see that Mumbai is such an attractive target for terrorists. The cops have to been always careful not to allow any slipups. It is reassuring to see that the Police department has excellent personnel who are ready to give their life for the sake of the country. They are decisive and responsible.

I liked this movie simply for its honesty and adherence to realistic portrayal. Anupam Kher and Nasiruddin Shah simple dominate the whole movie with their nuanced performance. Shah has some really juicy lines and he delivers them well.

The makers of this movie should be commended for their brave attempt. It is entertaining, fresh and well made.

I give it 7.5 out of 10.