Post the success of AASHIQUI 2, director Mohit Suri has been a roll. After directing successful thriller films before such as, MURDER 2, the expectations from EK VILLAIN are high. So the big question is, does it live up to the expectations? YES It does indeed!
Without giving much away, the story is about Guru (Siddharth Malhotra) the quiet, angry and fierce assassin who possesses a dark secret and works for gang-lord, Caesar (Remo Fernandes). Then enter Aisha (Shraddha Kapoor) a bubbly, happy-go-lucky girl who falls in love with Guru. At this point, all seems well, until Aisha is killed with the serial killer on the loose. So after-all who plays the villain in this love story? Watch the film to find out!
The strongest point of EK VILLAIN, is it’s novel concept. The story is very different. It is not like a typical revenge or a typical thriller love story, like GHAJINI. In fact, EK VILLAIN is on a different league all together! There are moments where the audience smiles at the charming chemistry of Sid and Shraddha, and there are nail-biting moments when the brutal murders are taking place. The psychotic killer (not going to reveal who!) is absolutely menacing and sinister, due to their simplicity and ordinary outlook. I hardly sympathise with villains. But in this movie, the audience seems to hate and empathise with the villain at the same time. Their creepy persona reminds one of Bob Biswas from Vidya Balan’s KAHAANI, and would definitely keep you at the edge of your seat!
One of the major factors that contributed to the success of AASHIQUI 2 was the melodious and superb soundtrack. Mohit Suri, the director again ropes in Mithoon and Ankit Tiwari for composing the tracks for this movie. The songs: Galliyan, Banjaara and Zaroorat are already chartbusters. In fact, the sequences in Galliyan are a visual treat, that just pleases the audience. When I first heard the track Awari, composed by Soch, I was not initially impressed. After watching Prachi Desai’s scintillating performance on this song, and the depiction of the song, It has become one of my favourite tracks from the movie. Also, a special mention here to Raju Singh, who composed the background music, which is absolutely captivating. When the villain enters, there is a drilling-like sound, which sounds harrowing and ominous.
Another strong factor of EK VILLAIN is the performances. Firstly, now not-so-newbie, Siddharth Malhotra successfully portrays Guru, a character which is completely different to what he’s portrayed so far in his career. Playing a serious, quiet and merciless assassin, there is a consistency in his character. Even when he falls in love with Aisha, the quietness and seriousness is maintained throughout the movie. Secondly, Shraddha Kapoor impressed everyone with her acting skills in AASHIQUI 2, impresses more with her performance as Aisha. She just makes you fall in love. In fact, her and Sid’s chemistry is so powerful, that it no longer seems fictional.
Thirdly, Riteish Deshmukh essays the role of Rakesh, an ordinary middle-class man, frustrated with his nagging and demanding wife, Sulochana (Aamna Sharif). He impresses thoroughly, since he is essaying a more serious role than some of his previous comical roles. Apart from these, the performances of the supporting cast are also brilliant.
On the other hand, I believe the only glitch of EK VILLAIN is it’s pacing. Although it was not slow, I still feel that had the pacing sped up a little bit, it would have been the icing on the cake. Nevertheless, there was not a moment in the movie when I got bored. My eyes were glued to the screen to see what happens next.
On the whole, EK VILLAIN is definitely a wholesome thriller. There are moments which you ‘aww’ and moments where you scream ‘ouch’. The power packed performances, the chartbuster tracks are sufficient to keep you entertained for the next 2 hours and 9 minutes. It is a thriller, with a completely new concept for Bollywood. Deserves a watch? YES it does!
* * * * (4/5 stars)
