I went to watch Ishqiya after having seen every review in the business call it the best thing since sliced bread. The fact that Omkara was from the same production house raised my expectations still further. Was it worth the kudos? Well yes and no.
Lets look at the better aspects of the movie first. Three great performances make this movie happen. First up Arshad Warsi plays a slimy thief, Babban who shields his softer self by a crude garish mannerism. And he does this to the T. If it were not for his histrionics and witty one liners in the Bhopali accent, the film would not have been watchable. He lights up the proceedings in a way only Arshad Warsi can. And you are completely devoid of any nostalgia about his Munnabhai Mumbaiya character. Naseeruddin Shah plays Khaloojaan, a character at least 15 years younger than his actual age with amazing believability. He is a criminal with a Shayraana Mijaaz or with a childlike romanticism. The character's gullibility is reminiscent of his role in "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro". Vidya Balan plays Krishna, a widowed village girl/woman who uses her sexuality to get her ways. Now did Vidya Balan and sexuality come in the same sentence? They can now after this complete surprise of a performance. She looks like a million dollars and delivers a performance still more precious.
The music of the movie fits into the landscape and tone perfectly. It is never an impediment to the flow of the movie. The dialogues are rustic and remind us of Omkara. The term "Ch****** Sulphate" is definitely part of the mainstream lingo after this movie. The background score is efficient and veers towards the Kill Bill style trumpet once in a while, which comes across as an ode to the Quentin Tarantino brand than anything else. The cinematography and other technical details are good. Abhishek Chaubey does well in his first time directorial venture. Every frame seems to be thought out and well executed. The references to local UP politics is kept subtly intriguing, consciously not overtaking into the main storyline.
So what lets this movie down? I would say, the basic premise of the movie is simplistic. Krishna's motives do not seem to completely justify the means or the extremities involved. The ending leaves the viewer confused as to what happens to the main characters. The biggest drawback of the movie is the fact that the audience does not feel for and is not moved by any of the characters. The movie is worth a watch, but it does not find a place in the Home DVD collection. It does not have any reason for someone to watch it again, unless you are a die hard Vidya Balan fan. All in all go watch Ishqiya. It is definitely worth a $ 8 ticket. I give it 3 outta 5 stars.
