Ittefaq Hindi Movie Review

Film maker Abhay Chopra is out to prove that the laws of Genetics do not go wrong often. Like Grand Pa BR and his bro Yash – he is a story teller who keeps his reading on the pulse of the viewer with concern and informed efficiency. Ittefaq in its original avatar (perhaps the last time Yash worked for the BR banner) had many things going in its favour. It was after all Yash’s song less swan song. It was a super hit that rode efficiently on the charisma of the phenomenon Rajesh Khanna and cashed wonderfully on the real-life image of its heroine Nanda. That short and crisp film kept the audience glued to their seats RGV revisited the tale with his signature style in Kaun. So, this is the third outing truly speaking. This, notwithstanding young Abhay shows talent and promise.
The tale is the same but the scope and treatment is completely different and thus it is more inspired by the earlier film with the said title than it is a remake. The earlier film for instance moved completely between the principal suspects. Here the narrative has others walking into the script to place the murder mystery in perspective and yes, it is ends in a novel fashion.
Vikram (Sid Malhotra) is a famous novelist who is recovering from his bad second book. After a crisp chase and a race, he dashes into a house where the hostess Maya (Sonakshi) has her own cupboard o skeletons to hide. Two murders occur. One of Vikram’s wife Katherine (Kimberly Louisa) and the other of Shekar, Maya’s husband. In walks the investigating officer Dev (Akshaye Khanna) He finds the two-tales narrated parallelly in the course of the investigation to have credible inputs and also suspect loop holes. However, things work out and as the mystery gets solved and you are about to rise and move out there is the final twist, that tells the tale a tad different from the one earlier said.
The film’s editing is what works truly in its favour. The parallel set of narratives by the two suspects is told to sustain interest and intrigue. The film moves away from the single flat in which Nanda and Rajesh Khanna were locked on that eventful night. Here the story moves out and in and also to the police station. Siddharth Malhotra is stiff but then what do you expect of a guy who is facing a tough investigation and is the prime suspect in the murder of his wife. Sonakshi disappoints. She had a chance to take her Lootere repute further. She simply does not have the advantage that Nanda had to keep suspicion away from her. Her role and moves only complicate the credibility. The last minute change to her character lacks conviction.
Akshayee returns with a full fledged role after a while and shows that he has not collected much dust in the mean while. He keeps the film well anchored and gets central to the film. Not the most gripping film in the genre but at least it is smooth is flow and does not question your intelligence. The film maker may add to the nepotism in the industry debate, but then he sure is a welcome addition.

L. Ravichander.