Aitraaz Movie Review

Actors Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal, Annu Kapoor
Director Abbas-Mustan
Producer Subhash Ghai
Music Himesh Reshammiya
Rating: 3/5

Movie Review

Aitraaz is the new thriller from the stables of Abbas-Mustan. The director due have given us hits like Baazigar, Khilaadi etc. It’s no hidden fact that they lift the subject of several Hollywood flicks to make their film. But that works for Bollywood. Everyone lifts themes. What’s special about this duo is that they know how to blend the Hollywood theme into a pot-puri that works for Indians.

So, people won’t be surprised if told that Aitraaz is a rip-off or inspired by ‘Disclosure’, a film starring ‘Michael Douglas’ and ‘Demi Moore’. The theme was too bold, even for the bowels of foreign audience and Abbas-Mustan took a very dangerous path this time. A slightest temptation and the movie can easily change into a sleaze show. But the talented director duo handles the screenplay and the execution with un-presented maturity. The outcome is a bold story told in a fashion that Indian family can identify with the three our act.

The movie starts off as a routine love story between Raj Malhotra (Akshay Kumar) and Priya (Kareena Kapoor). Two picture perfect couple who are madly in love with each other. Professionally Raj is a businessman with un-tarnished image. He is the rising star of the telecom industry. He works for Ranjit Roy (Amrish Puri) and is expecting to be promoted soon till something comes that changes everything - Sonia (Priyanka Chopra).

Raj has a past not many know about. Years ago he used to love a girl named Sonia, an aspiring model with big ambitions. A complete manipulator, she lives life by her rules. She gets what she wants. But she isn’t able to manipulate Raj who turns his back on her. Raj later meets and marries Priya. Sonia can’t see herself loose and she is back to seek what should have been hers’- Raj.

Ranjit Roy completely smitten by Sonia’s charms appoints her as Raj’s senior, the post that should have been his. Raj swallows his pride and takes this in his stride. After re-entering Raj’s life, Sonia is desperate to reclaim him once again. Her possessive personality takes over but Raj keeps rejecting her advances. However one fine day she does manage to almost seduce him…although the plans are ruined when Raj spots his wife’s locket and changes his mind. After a heated exchange of words, he leaves.

Later Sonia accuses Raj of raping her and Ranjit Roy seconds her. Raj is given the option of leaving the job or face charges in court. Raj has some evidence to prove that he is innocent. That evidence is present with his lawyer Ram Choitrani (Annu Kapoor), who is unfortunately bumped off and the prosecution lawyer Patel (Paresh Rawal) is now ready to win. Now Priya who had been silent all the while jumps into the fray. She was a law student who finished her law, but never practiced. She takes the side of her husband, as she trusts him. She loves her husband as well and is ready to bare all in a bid to prove his innocence. But can she beat all odds and save her husband?

What makes the narrative interesting is that it’s the woman who eyes the man, not vice-versa. And the interval point - the sexual altercation, with a furious Priyanka breathing fire - is the twist in the tale. Post interval we see both sides locking horns in court. The narrative picks up place after the confrontation between Sonia and Priya where Sonia tells Priya to send her husband to her and she will keep him as keep to finish the unfinished job. Woo! What a change for an actress image. Never has any actress been portrayed in such a bold role in Indian cinema. Another high point in the Kareena’s courtroom altercations with Priyanka in the court where she blows the latter’s story into titters.

The screenplay on whole is rock solid. The narrative becomes predictable at places but these are minor blemishes in an otherwise winning script. Director duo Abbas-Mustan deserves full marks to have the courage of handling a subject as coarse as Aitraaz in such commendable fashion.

On acting front the film will work wonders for Priyanka Chopra. It is her film from beginning to the end. She plays the perfect women scorned and vamp. This is a role which may get her the best villain Filmfare.

Kareena is all sugar coated till the end. She has courtroom scene to show her talent and she manages her task well. Akshay has got not much to do, he underplays his character well. Amrish Puri and Upasana Singh are okay types. Paresh Rawal is superb as prosecution lawyer and Annu Kapoor tries hard to match his footsteps.

Music by Himesh Reshammiya has nothing novel about it. People expect better fare Subhash Ghai films.

Aitraaz can be a good experience for people who don’t like mushy films like Veer Zaara. Go for it.