Movie Review: Saheb Biwi aur Gangster…all three keep you interested

While it doesn’t boast any big names, Saheb Biwi aur Gangster does manage to hold your attention pretty much all through out the 2 hour period of its runtime. The start of the movie is particularly impressive and despite the unfamiliar and fairly dated period that the movie seems to be set up in one gets quite interested as the plot begins to build up

You get introduced to the three central characters one after the other and most of your time goes in trying to understand these characters, unravelling their many layers and complexities.

Then, just when things seem to be getting interesting, the thread is broken with a completely unnecessary song. Unfortunately, this happens five times in a two hour movie. I have till date been unable to understand or relate to the need to have songs in a movie that just doesn’t seem to require them. The answers don’t seem to be in the offing any time soon either.

Anyways, in this case it just spoils otherwise decent movie fare and at a time when the plot should actually gather pace, it only slows down further. The movie intervals at the worst possible juncture, leaving the audience bewildered as to whether it got ill-timed altogether and wondering if there’s anything in the movie worth returning to.

Thankfully, there is and in spite of the songs, the second half keeps you engaged. As the action heats up towards what might be presumed to be a predictable climax, little twists keep you guessing. The writing and dialogues are also better than average and lend a distinct sheen to the movie. Overall the package offered is quite satisfactory and you come out of the hall, satisfied, though wishing that it could have been even better. There are shades of Omkara to this movie, what with a similar setting and very distinct characters. However, don’t even think of comparing this to that masterpiece of a movie…it would just be unfair

No complaints in terms of acting and all three leads have put in a commendable performance. Though Mahie Gill is unconvincing in some scenes, she’s equally overwhelming in others so that balances out. Jimmy Shergill could’ve probably done more since his character has perhaps the maximum airtime but its not a bad performance per se. That said, one wonders what the real stalwarts could’ve done with a movie like this (I am thinking, Irrfan Khan, Saif in a Landa Tyagi kind of avatar etc.)

Still, as it stands Saheb Biwi aur Gangster is definitely watchable movie fare…now if only you can figure out a way to fast forward songs in a movie theater…