Katputtli
Bollywood has had its share of thrillers. But an
edge-of-the-seat mystery fare always attracts lovers of this genre. KATPUTTLI,
directed by Sanjay Khanna, also opts for a theme that sounds novel for Indian
moviegoers.
Frankly, KATPUTTLI bears a slight resemblance to director Wolfgang Peterson''s
Hollywood flick SHATTERED 1991; starring Tom Berenger, Greta Scacchi, Bob
Hoskins, which was attempted in Hindi as YAKEEN 2005; Arjun Rampal, Priyanka
Chopra. There''s a bit of SHARMILEE Shashi Kapoor, Raakhee too.
Although you may walk into the theatre with zilch expectations, KATPUTTLI
surprises you because it manages to keep your attention arrested intermittently.
The protagonist tries to recapture the incidents she has lost her memory and the
events that unfurl are quite appealing.
But the problem with most thrillers is that once the secret is out, you either
clap with glee or have a frown on your face. With KATPUTTLI, it''s the latter.
Just when you thought that the director had finally got it right, the climax
acts like one spoilsport.
Another factor that goes against the film -- this is strictly from the business
point of view -- is that the film has had an unsung release. Released with as
good as nil promotion and zero hype, KATPUTTLI faces no chances of survival.
Sad, since the subject had some potential!
Lisa Mink is walking on the roads of Mumbai and forgets who she is. All she has
is a dress full of blood and a whole lot of cash in her trench coat.
Lisa had everything she could ream of -- a loving husband, a successful
marriage, a beautiful house and apparently is the owner of one of the biggest
and finest hospitals in the city. Lisa''s husband Arjun Milind Soman, a well
reputed surgeon, makes every effort to get her memory back.
But there are questions? What happened that night? Why did she lose her memory
if her life was a fairytale? Why is she haunted by repeated flashes of blood and
money? Arjun doesn''t seem to know much and neither does Anju Yukta Mookhey, the
sweet neighbour, who somehow is always around to make sure that Lisa is
comfortable. Or was it Arjun who kept her in close quarters? Like Celina Shikha
Shekhar, the sensuous nurse he hired for Lisa''s help.
Dev Sameer Dharmadhikari, a Naval officer, Anju''s husband, Lisa''s friend since
college, makes an entry. On his return after a gap, he finds his best friend''s
life twisted beyond belief. Dev decides that he isn''t going to sit idle and
wait for Lisa''s memory to come back to find answers?
Even though KATPUTTLI has been produced by an actor Mink, who enacts the central
role in the film, the narrative focuses on several characters, right from the
husband to the neighbour to the nurse hello, what is she wearing? to the Naval
officer. In fact, the needle of suspicion keeps gyrating from one character to
another and that''s why the film holds your attention.
But not everything goes right! The sequence of events unfolds at a lethargic
pace in the initial reels. In fact, you expect incidents to unravel rapidly and
take the story forward, but the writing is quite loose, devoting too much time
to individual sequences. Besides, you actually question the abilities of the
writer who shows the protagonist as a millionaire, but makes her live in a
palatial mansion without one domestic help. This cinematic liberty is difficult
to absorb. Also, after reaching the crescendo, you expect the climax to come as
a shocker, but it doesn''t. In fact, the end is quite tame and, frankly, you can
guess the culmination beforehand.
Sanjay Khanna''s direction is better than his previous attempts. There''s not
much scope for music Bapi-Tutul, Punnu Brar, Ishq Bector in the film and the
songs that flow in seem unwarranted. Cinematography Najeeb Khan is functional.
KATPUTTLI belongs to Mink, who leaves an impact. The actress never got the due
in her earlier films, but gets a role that displays her talent this time. She''s
good. Milind Soman is effective. Sameer Dharmadhikari is natural. Yukta Mookhey
is pleasant. Seema Biswas is efficient. Shifa Shekhar looks apt for the vampish
part. Aseem Merchant is alright. Ashmit Patel is fair. Ruby Bhatia and Sudesh
Berry are able.
On the whole, KATPUTTLI has had an unsung release. With no hype or promotion to
support it, its fate at the ticket window is anybody''s guess.
|
