Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Prachi Desai.
Direction: Milan Luthria
Music: Pritam Chakraborty
Production: Balaji Motion Pictures
The one person behind Kachche Dhaage and Taxi No. 9211 is none other than Milan Luthria who now is out with a movie about gangsters that is set in the time of the late 70s and early 80s. There are high expectations towards this film especially that it’s set in Mumbai.
People who have seen the likes of Nayagan, Company and Satya will be frustrated most especially for those hoping it will be as brilliant as the said films. The movie drives the audience to a great start but there is still something that lacks as you watch the entire film.
As the title says, it is a film that is based in Mumbai and a gangster Sultan (Ajay Devgn) who once ruled the city with justice and passion. He is one man who had so much love for Mumbai which makes him as someone the locals look up to. This is all shaken when Shoaib Khan (Emraan Hashmi), a son of a police inspector, joins the gang and messes with Sultan’s principles. Because of the tension between these two, Mumbai becomes greatly affected.
The storyline of the movie is enthralling but it leaves audiences hanging at the end. Most of its part comes off as somewhat unfinished like the part about Agnel which left audiences asking what ever happened to him? The conflicts in the film as well as some parts of the movies are entertaining to the audience but still, it still comes out as half baked and is seemingly sped up to the climax.
The vigour of the film is undeniably with its casts who has definitely livened up the film. Ajay Devgn was able to rule in his role after all these time. He was able to internalize his character well. The villain Emraan Hashmi was convincingly bad. This talented man was able to make use of his emotional behaviour well and delivered it believably. The sterness of Randeep Hooda was pleasing to watch so with the female casts, Kangana and Prachi. This is definitely a group who is not at all shy to show off their talent.
The cinematography was done well, a job well done by the crew with Aseem Mishra in the lead. The art direction of Nitin Chandrakant Desai is magnificent and the editing of Akiv Ali is also something worth mentioning. Pritam’s music was well matched with the film. BGM did a good work over the years.