Dum Maaro Dum Movie Reviews

Amidst fighting numerous legal battles that one could ever imagine for a film; first of so many for a Bollywood film and finally over-coming the hassles Dum Maaro Dum released today. The film in a way is very important to Abhishek Bachchan’s career as his last three outings at the BO failed dismally.

In the film, Vishnu Kamat (Abhishek), a self-destructive police officer fleeing from his own past, has been asked to wipe out the local and international drug mafia operating in Goa. As he steps into the murky world, he is greeted with shocks and surprises.

Lorry (Prateik) is keen to accompany his girlfriend to a US University, but his life threatens to spiral out of control after his scholarship gets rejected. Then he meets a smooth talking hustler who promises to fix things up for him.

And local musician DJ Joki (Rana) is a mute spectator of what is happening around him. He drifts aimlessly through his life after an encounter with drug mafia cost him everything he loved. He meets Zoe (Bipasha), an aspiring airhostess whose dreams turn into dust.

And Lorsa Biscuita (Aditya) is the linked to all as a ruthless businessman who has his hands on every Goan pie, legal or illegal. He is the link between all the drug mafia operating in Goa. However, he finds himself pushed to extreme limit with Kamath's arrival. And the ultimate drug kingpin whom no one knows. Overall the film is a cat and mouse game between Vishnu Kamat and Lorsa.

The interesting point of Dum Maaro Dum is that it is very refreshing and engaging. Set on the backdrop of Goa though with all the illegal activities surrounding it DMD strikes the right chord with audiences from the very beginning. ACP Kamat sets out his own rules in trying to make Goa a better place after he is asked by a politician as you see in the promos. The first half of the film moves at a slicky pace with every character being introduced in a manner that an amateur filmmaker can learn from Sippy Jr.

ACP Kamat, Joki, Lorry, Biscuita, Zoe are well established by the maker during the starting part of the film by suggesting that they have a role in the film. Sippy scores a point over here as it is a difficult proposition to make all characters weaven together to one line but Sippy with the help of excellent writing does it effortlessly. Fast paced, stylized taking, slick editing and excellent characterizations make DMD quite a watch in the first half.

As always with regards to many films from India it is the second half that never leaves upto the riveting first half experience. Though it has its moments in the second half it never matches up to the hype that is generated from the former half. Writing should have been tight considering it being a thriller but no disrespect to the writer’s talent.

Though Sippy wanted to make the film look real, some reality elements cant be digested especially the scene where Abhishek injects drugs into thugs to extract information, the brutal killings, stabbing syringes into the neck, twisting necks etc too much reality in the offering and the pain was evidently felt. Rana’s efforts so much so that he puts his love at stake weren’t clearly explained.

When every one thinks that the protagonist will be the saving grace during the end of the film it is one of the supporting characters who spring surprise. Though the climax has its surprise element pre-climax falls apart but due to the performances of the lead cast the film on the whole will stand tall. Second half is a way bit long considering the genre of the film.

Abhishek who chose the role of ACP Kamat instead of Joki that was offered to him initially by Rohan suggested that he has an edge when it comes to playing cops, remember Dhoom franchise. He does an excellent job in the film, one of his finest performance post Guru. His mannerisms, whacky behaviour, dialogue rendition, perfectly fits the bill of Vishnu Kamat. A special mentioning should be made to his attire in the film as it gives him the desired look.

First timer Rana Daggubati minus expressions delivers a credible and natural performance. He is here to stay in Bollywood. His beach romance with Bipasha is captured beautifully and obviously the chemistry works. Prateik in search of his love Anaitha Nair leaves out his impression. Aditya Pancholi as the king pin behind the every illegal business in Goa delivers according to the script. Bips in her role as Zoe has a realistic outing, her hair stays salon-styled provided she is in jail, wondering how? On the whole it is Jr Bachchan who’ll walkway with the acting laurels.

Pritam’s compositions prove an asset to the film. Background score by Midival Punditz lifts the tempo of the film. Amit Roy does an extraordinary job in capturing Goa and the character variations. Yes, Deepika’s item number will pump the volume despite the fact that it has objectionable lyrics. Thayn Thayn’s placement is questionable. Nonetheless Rohan Sippy should be applauded on bringing everyone together on one platform after believing Sridhar Raghavan’s script.

On the whole although Dum Maaro Dum loses the plot slightly in the second half it is worth a watch. Watch out for the camaraderie between Vishnu Kamat and his team.