Sponsor PFCOne
(13 votes, average: 4.31 out of 5)
Loading ...
JOHNNY GADDAR — A Preview
Evil is the ultimate ambiguity. When handled with insouciant dexterity, it can reach this delicious plateau that Simone Weil described as ‘the monotony of evil’, condemned to a false infinity. The world thus painted is so saturated with the mutating snowballing nature of evil that it becomes palpable and no one really needs to call it by name. And the ‘good’ man, the ‘natural’ man trapped in this world hopes to reach a point at which evil turns into innocence. Sriram Raghavan’s ‘Johnny Gaddar’ carves a blazing trail of evil and the demiurge. Of Crime and its Punishment.
On an uncharacteristically quiet afternoon, a couple of weeks ago, I got a call from Sriram wanting to know if I could recommend a writer who would do English subtitles for ‘Johnny Gaddar’. I said I did know a writer who knew passable English. Me. I don’t think I really gave him any chance to counter me or turn me down. He asked me if I was free to watch the movie the next morning. I was.
Having leapt before looking, like I am always wont to, I began to wonder if I hadn’t been too impetuous. Thrillers aren’t exactly my favorite movie genre. How would I tackle that? Secondly, I am very wary of attending trials and previews. I can perhaps count the number of times I’ve watched a movie at one of them in the fingers of one hand, and still have a few to spare. It is very difficult to have any degree of detachment or objectivity when you’re watching a movie and its creator who’s a giant ball of nerves and excitement and hopefulness, and is diffusing all his energies into the chilly air of the preview theater/ edit suite. How do you tell this heart-breakingly vulnerable person what you really thought of his creation, how can you tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
With these trepidations and some safe lines rehearsed, I accompanied Sanjay Routray, Sriram’s EP to their office. And allowed the dark to engulf me. ‘Johnny Gaddar’ unraveled. On the AVID machine, the audio playing the pilot track, some of the dubbing was still in progress, I think. In this far-from-perfect setting, and no popcorn (more than a few cups of awesome tea, though), I watched the movie. It was the best two-and-half hours spent watching a movie in a long time, twenty-odd-inch flickering flames and tinny sound notwithstanding.
The general perception is that ‘Johnny Gaddar’ is a film about a heist gone wrong. The perception is not necessarily correct. Of course a ‘one-line’ (that favourite dreaded hyphenated word that all filmmakers wholeheartedly loathe) might crystallize the essence of ‘Johnny…’ to this crime-goes-awry précis. But that isn’t all. It is a story about endless desire with a strangely meditative quality. It’s an example of despair that’s as deceitful as hope is. And it exhilaratingly releases you from the crystal-bitter or sugar-faceted voice we’ve seen crime movies usually adopt.
I am not a reviewer, I do not possess the requisite knowledge, experience or command over the medium to analyse or interpret any movie, leave alone one that is so radiant with bright white hope. Considering there are still a few days until release, I don’t know what to speak of, and where to exhibit restraint. I only hope I do justice to this wonderful movie, when I talk of these elements that have stayed with me, two-and-half weeks later.
Should I remark about the narrative that insidiously unfolds itself like an accomplished temptress, all the while holding something of herself back, that she’ll reveal only at will? Do I talk of the unusual and refreshingly simple manner in which one learns of and the alarming ease with which one almost becomes part of the skewed greedy world that the protagonists inhabit? (Ref: ‘The Monotony of evil’, in the flesh.) Shall I talk about the incredibly charismatic and loveable Dharmendra, the too clever-for-his-own-good Vinay Pathak and the brilliant ensemble cast? Shall I let on about the remarkable retro feel, the constant throwback to the 70s, the amazing nostalgia that the images evoke without seeming to try too hard? Do I allow myself to rave and rave on about the exquisitely good-looking Neil Mukesh, such a treat for the eyes that you’d easily forgive if he wasn’t really a great actor, but he doesn’t need the concession? If Dostoevsky’s Raskolnikov had a face, this would be it – at once vulnerable and remote, gleeful and guilt-ridden. Should I comment about the stunning end that I kept anticipating and yet never managed to predict until it blew into the face?
In ‘The Moon and Sixpence’, Somerset Maugham says and I paraphrase, ‘…A man’s work reveals him… In his book or his pictures, the real man delivers himself defenseless.’ With ‘Johnny Gaddar’, Sriram is seen for the person he is. It isn’t just about his unflinching command over his craft, his ability to look at a visual and show it to you in a way you’ve never seen it before, or the way he’s made evil lie its way to the truth… Truly, Johnny Gaddar delivers the incredibly gifted Sriram compellingly, potently and powerfully defenseless.
I’m waiting now for Friday.
71 Responses to “JOHNNY GADDAR — A Preview”
Leave a Reply
Our Comments Policy : The following kinds of comments are troll capped, blocked and/or commenter's identity reported publicly: Verbal abuse, personal attacks, hate statements, spam, trolls, advertising. Please assist us in keeping the comments clean. Use the contact form to let us know if you find unwarranted comments on PFC. Thank you.
WOW:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d
looking forward to it on big screen..saturday night show
is there some secret plan going on at PFC Bombay to jalaaooing (Hinglish: burnooing) PFC USA and its readers… !!! No sign of Johnny Gaddaar releasing in the US!!!
friday night definitely. have been waiting for this to release. after this post it’s inevitable. really looking forward to this one.
waiting for friday…..:)
Same here!
johnhy gaddar is not releasing overseas??
lack of star cast does it ???
if thats so , its sad..
so far no news aj… and for those on the West Coast, I think there’s further bad news that Adlabs may have some kind of a friction going on with the Naz chain of theaters… so :-?? and we can only [-o<
grrrr…. down under is defnitely not a place to stay!
i m in bombay so personally it doenst mak emuch of a diff to me ..but its sad if someone like adlabs who can put a heavy muscle into the marketing of their films decide not to release their film just cos its not a love story or doesnt have a star driven cast . thats really sad.
waiting for the film. The news that it is not releasing in Uk because the NRI janta there does not support non star films is depressing. but i am sure we back home will make the film rock.
Arre bhai hum Dil dosti etc. ka bhi wait kar rehe hai…
eagerly waiting for Johney gaddar and dil dosti etc ….
Its really sad to know Adlabs is not even thinking of releasing JG in UK because of Ramzan and non-star movie (with A certificate as indiafm states). Hope it releases in US.
@ Bhavani, why such a long gap in your posts? Missed your writing. Please write as often as possible.:)
have been hooked, and i do mean HOOKED as in 8-} @-) :d/ to the soundtrack.. and the wait to see the only film i’ve actually looked forward to now for a while is killing me.. if it doesn’t release in the US, i may just have to buy a ticket to bombay…
this friday for Johnny Gaddar for sure
dil dosti etc b hai.
Gotto catch both.
Awesome Bhavani…Looking forward to see it on big screen. And this post of yours came after a long time…Keep writing as you write so well.
waiting for the release…once sriram had come for the kalaghoda fest..this is when Ek Hasina Thi had just released..one of the ans an audience member wanted to know was the ‘Hasina” in Ek Hasina Thi..hope sriram doesnt have to face such a stupid situation again..maybe this time somebody might ask him who’s the Gaddar?
loved the sounndtrack of the film… waiting for friday…”yeh zindagi ke raaste hain haseen”. the voice and singing of swanand kirkire transported me to nasir hussain films of the 70’s.
thanx for superb write up on the flick.
it seemed like a taut and well crafted print-trailor of the movie. :d
PS: ‘Dostoevsky
Bhavani, after a long time!! have been waiting to watch it since forever i guess
hubba hubba hubba.. can’t wait to see. btw, memsaab, long time no see?
Like they say there are two theories in art… you either record an incident, or you interpret it…
I think this movie(from what the trailers seem to suggest) is more of an effort to record an incident than interpret it… Which is what seems to be working for it..(From the preview reports that we hear)… there is this zing to the way it is shot which seems to push it to the “thriller” genre..
but like Bhavani has mentioned here… there seems to be this meditative quality to it(which the soundtrack also seems to inherit) that really makes it something worth looking 4ward to…
Vivek, Rajiv, Gopi… thanks for the ‘welcome back’. Been licking my wounds, truth be told. But simply had to write this post. Do watch it, it’s a great ride. Gopi, Neil is quite the surprise packet, and his first film too.
Suchita, hello. Trust me you’ll enjoy the film.
wb… memsaab?!!! makes me feel like a posh diamond-dripping socialite, not bad! Hubba hubba indeed.
Sreehari, I think the film is even better than the music.
“Should I remark about the narrative that insidiously unfolds itself like an accomplished temptress, all the while holding something of herself back, that she
http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/09/24/10152/index.html
“Wise Move Indeed”
Stupidity …
How for god’s bloody sake will not releasing the movie improve the movie’s prospects???
VC,
Indeed. They are numpties! They do not do any research! The reasons are so lame!
Well UK audiences are kinda Johar-Chopra et al fixated anyway, so dunno how much difference it would have made… But obviously now v few in UK will even know such a film exists. At least if it had a theatrical release it might have garnered some curiousity, at least with the teens-20s bracket.
Guys,
especially PFcites… the entire plot revelas around a character called Diesel which Miss Bhavani Iyer has happily choose to ignore…
None the less, Lets wait and watch LOL….
yes yes.. do watch out for surendra hiwarale’s acting debut in Johnny G as well folks! congrats surya bhai =D>
ZOOOOOORYAAAA you in Johnny Gaddaar!!!!!! :o:o:o
BHAVANI - URGENT!!!
Fistly below is the theater listing of your movie, jsut got this from ADLABS in USA:
1 AMC South Barrington 30 South Barrington IL 847-765-7262 http://www.amctheaters.com
2 Novi Town Center 8 Novi MI 248-465-7469 http://www.novitowncenter8.com
3 Regal Hadley Theater 16 South Plainfield NJ 908-668-6943 http://www.regalcinemas.com
4 Funasia Richardson TX 972-889-8000 http://www.funasia.net
5 Bollywood 6 Funasia Houston TX 972-889-8000 http://www.funasia.net
6 Loehmann Twin Cinemas Falls Church VA 703-573-5774 http://www.bollywooddc.com
7 Naz 8 Cinema Fremont CA 510-797-2000 http://www.naz8.com
8 Naz 8 Cinema Lakewood CA 562-866-2444 http://www.naz8.com
CANADA
9 Woodside Cinemas Agincourt Ontario 416-299-3456 http://www.albioncinemas.com
SECONDLY IF YOU ARE WILLING TO DO AN EMAIL OR TELEPHONIC INTERVIEW WITH SAAFA CO FOUNDER POOJA BHARDWAJ DO LET ME KNOW. SHE WRITES FOR A BUNCH OF MAINSTREAM NEWSLETTERS IN THE BAY AREA. REFER SOME OF HER INTERVIEWS HERE:
Some addl write up’s by her:
http://www.mv-voice.com/story.php?story_id=2567
http://www.mv-voice.com/morguepdf/2007/2007_03_23.mvv.section2.pdf
http://www.mv-voice.com/story.php?story_id=2900
let me know ASAP
Vivek, I didn’t write Johnny Gaddar, I’m not creatively associated with it in any way. I’ve known Sriram for a while, so wrote this. Shall pass on your suggestion to him, though.
Is there PFC Bay area? :)
Planning to watch it this Friday at Freemont Naz
Thanks Bhavani, yes please pass it on to Sriram. Was he the same guy who made Ek Hasina Thi? Then that will be great cause Pooja is a great fan of that movie.
Ankit would have loved to see it, but am part of a 5 person Movie Club and their next outing is on Oct first week, but have fun and eat the special in Masala Grill next door…Chicken Achari…for some reason it has been a special since 2005…told the guy to move it to the main menu….but like RGV he does not listen!!!!
Striker,
Thanks…
OZ,
Bhai ur brother is everywhere… i was in ek haseena thi also LOL…:d
Did a voice over in Naach…
Plan A B C D to Zeeee everything has to be ready… :d/
surya, is baar thobda dekhna mangta hai [this time wanting to see face]
Striker - this time u will see his face … He’s wearing a Black “Diesel” T Shirt … specs … and has long hair … watch him in Vinay pathak’s introduction scene
dhat tere ki Machcha achcha yaad rakhkha bachcha…
Striker what do u mean??? Main tera vodka pee jaunga saale… only people like sriram raghavan recognize my talent, ahem ahem!!!!
Onir, some of the poor NRI audience DOES accept such films but we are voiceless!!
Maybe i could make a film on film distribution???? And the problems certain films face abroad??
But it realy annoys me that the general idea is that we are not interested at all.
Sadly, we might be outnumbered by those who don’t wish to see this kinda cinema, but the distributors dont really help either!!!!
Will frustratingly wait for the dvd.
Pirate no doubt!!!
aaarrgh…the first paragraph had me tied up in knots. what was that again? Ah, me so dumb.
am watching the movie, though first day first show. want to see “evil lie its way to the truth.” Now, that was lip-smackingly delicious.
Great post…cant wait to watch the film!!
rocking film. must watch!!
From what I have seen in the UK for the past 18 months or so, audiences here are totally crazy about the Yash Chopra - Karan Johar brand of movies.
I saw Omkara in a theatre here and the only thing people were talking of at the end of it were the gaalis :((
Guess I will have to add this movie in the ‘to do’ list.
But this (pre)review is such a work of art in itself! It’s almost too good for a review. I ended up wanting to read more of it rather than watch the movie!
http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/sep/27slde1.htm
previous link was from the 2nd slide
drupad quoting sriram raghavan from that rediff thing
“There’s a difference between stealing and getting inspired. I mean, nobody can inspire my wallet on a local train. But I can steal a line I hear from a commuter. ”
well said.
A wonderful movie. My only complain is that he should have paid homage to Tarantino too in opening credits. After all, many of the scenes seem to be inspired from Pulp Fiction and RD.
hey bhavani
long time no see? but i agree with you.. Jhonny Gadar really rocks..
gautam buragohain
Dear Bhavani,
I wish my words could do as much justice to my thoughts. Maybe you feel the same as well. But I wish I had the prowess and ease you have with words.
That apart, I have put up my feelings after watching JG on my blog (address mentioned above). I would be very grateful if you could please forward it to the man himself, or please send me his id at kartics@gmail.com.
Being an outsider to the industry, I have very few means to source his email id. The only reason I would like to send this to him is to get closure from this film. I’ve waited for this film, pitched it to my friends and hoped and prayed it would live up to all those expectations as if it was my own film, for too long now for me to let go off it without this communique to its maker.
That said, please keep writing. I shall not urge you to write more often because somehow the time in between makes every piece that much more valuable. While your words take me to doorstep of ecstasy, its a deeply painful experience at the same time. Its like someone digs out every atom of insecurity, desperation, inability, frustration and fear, and puts it all together in a picture which one, by oneself, could lay down a life to paint, but can never quite.
Thank you.
very good movie … brilliant storytelling ..:d/
Mr Iyer
I wish the film was as interesting as your preview. You say that you are not a film reviewer and I am tempted to agree (no offence meant). You get carried away by your own gushing prose. My problem with your preview is also somewhat my problem with the film. Your language and references are erudite, but to an extent that they create ideas that are not there in the film. The ‘monotony of evil’ is what one ‘hopes for’ but does not see. And since I have seen raghavan’s talent in Ek Haseena Thi, I can only blame the actor Neil Mukesh, who was supposed to act both evil and innocent but ends up looking only confused. And I can not be dishonestly generous to Dharmendra- a man with a Punjabi accent called Sheshadri! There was no need for him to speak English. As to the film references, we (you and I) may not be film critics, but we do understand a little bit of cinema language and grammar, don
Apologies for the typing error, should have been Ms Iyer:)
Post script:)
Would like to start a discussion on the scene where Dharmendra takes in five bullets, refuses to succumb, walks to the tape recorder, switches it on and dies sideways facing the camera.
@tuhina…dharmendra scene..a tribute by Sriram to Hindi cinema.(never ending dying sequence)
Hi!
Wats it about Johnny Gaddar … I went to see the film just becoz I loved Ek Hasina Thi, Sriram’s first film … I was pretty disappointed with Johnny … none of the dramatic moments looked dramatic … the opening sequence of the police jeep … the audience couldn’t take it n enjoy it … after I came out of the thetare, I really didn’t know what I have seen … a few moments were good … on the whole, it was a convoluted thing … too much of inspiration and influence only leads to PLAGIARISM.
Jack
Dear Sriram Raghavan (if you’re reading this),
Wanted to catch Johnny G first day, first show. That’s how eagerly I was looking forward to it. But somehow, I got to see it only yesterday. So did I love it?
Well, let me just say that it fell a little short of my expectations. After Ek Hasina Thi, I expected far, far more. If it was any other director debuting, I would have said “Brilliant”. But you’re not any other director, you’re Sriram and I believe you’re one of the best things to have happened to Bollywood. There are just a handful of directors like you in this industry and I’m not naming them here because this is about you.
So let me just tell you what I loved about the film and what I felt could have been improved.
1. The retro style - loved it. Starting with the titles, the introduction of each memeber of the gang, the whole feel of the film was a treat.
2. The performances - superb. Everyone has done a good job. But Dharmendra’s dying scene was a little too much to digest. I realise you were pulling Bollywood’s leg there, but it looked like a joke turned sour. Not many among the audience would ‘get it’.
3. Background score - excellent. Most film makers don’t realise what a good score can do to a film. Would Jaws be the same without John Williams haunting theme? Godfather, without Nino Rota’s stirring compositions? Sholay, without the ‘Swing’ music that seemed to ooze Gabbar’s menace?
4. Inspired moments. Some scenes stick out for their cleverness. I particularly loved the scene where Johnny G gets his name. That was a wink at the audience, “Now you know why we chose such a title”. Smart, very smart.
Then the scene where Shardul comes to know about his wife’s affair with Vikram. Too late for him, but too good for us.
Then of course, is the last twist in the tale. Great, I never expected it. But, a little crisper editing there would have made us all go “Oh, my God”. Remember Usual Suspects? Bryan Singer somehow ended it (I’m talking about when the end credits come up) with a flourish that left the audience gasping.
That said, I must now confess what, according to me, might have not worked with the general audience.
1. The audience likes a character it can root for. Be it a good guy or a bad guy. We felt elated when Hannibal escapes in The Silence of the Lambs. For such a response, the character has to have a very strong personality. I’m not saying that Vikram came across as a wimp, so. What I’m saying is that most of the time, Vikram just gets lucky survive a situation.
Of course, in your Ek Hasina Thi, Urmila was a character anybody would root for. (Still can’t understand why it failed - maybe it was way ahead of it’s time. It could have succeeded today?)
2. It takes some time before the film gathers momentum. That’s of course, when the caper begins.
3. Dharmendra listening to his wife’s tape. Again, I could sense the audience getting a little restless here.
4. I could feel the audience really perking up when Kalyan, Sheshadri’s friend from Bangalore pays the gang a visit. Something to think about there?
I guess that’s about it.
All said and done, I salute you for making such a brave attempt. Johnny G is definitely a film that should be seen by anyone who loves good cinema. I expected more from you, that’s my problem. It’s just like after seeing Shindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan, I expected much more from Spielberg than a Minority Report or Munich.
Towards greater achievements, then, Sriram. More power to your megaphone.
johnny g is a great movie. The way the story unfolded was fabulous. i wish the song ‘Move your body’ was played totally. it started off well but it would have been great had the complete song was played. all the actors did justice to their parts esp vinay pathak and the one who played sheladri. Neil’s acting is good. all in all movie was complete paisa vasool and it keeps the hope that indian cinema with ‘meaning’ and ‘content’ is alive. Great going SR.
I ve only one word, its rocks.
Amazing movie, amazing script, amazing editing.
All together worth watching.
New comer Nitin did complete justice to his role.
Must watch movie for movie freaks.
HEY, WHATS THE FUSS ALL ABOUT? PEOPLE WHO ARE COMPLAINING AFTER WATCHING IT SHOULD KNOW THAT THERE’S NOTHING CALLED ‘ABSOLUTE PERFECTION’, PLUS, IT MAY NOT BE THEIR ‘TYPE’ ALSO..
MY RATING (OUT OF 10) -
DIRECTION - 9 (CLOSE TO FLAWLESS)
STORY - 9 (INSPIRED YET ORIGINAL)
ACTING - 8 (NEIL LACKS A BIT OF EXPRESSION)
OVERALL - 8.5
DONT MISS SUCH A GOOD FILM…
I WILL BE GRATEFUL IF SOMEONE CAN MAIL ME THE DIRECTOR’S EMAIL ID..
RAHULICON_99@REDIFFMAIL.COM
THANK YOU…:)
Venyz,
Johnny Gaddar hasn’t failed with the audience.. but it just failed to find the audience.. Poor Promotion I must say.. most of the people who have watched the film liked the movie.. (I got reactions from friends and relatives (regular cinegoers) like.. “never heard the name I just got in because other shows were housefull (Dhol and Dhamaal.. but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise”)..
(Skip the following para if you have yet to see it)
Neil was awkward at placed but the awkwardness suited to the character.. Being a Share Market consultant he always feels he is too smart and one up than others and will get away easily yet others (and life) always remains one up than him.. he always gets caught (by Daya, Dharmendra, Govind), still gets away yet we find he is just a puppet in the hands of the situations.. and that results into a very convincing climax..
Pavan
saw johnny gaddar …well its not as great as people are making it out to be , it is good, an above average caper but thats about it …performances are ok . it works and i dont agree with pavan above me that people were not aware of the movie and thats why they didnt come , alright it wasnt marketed like a big movie but it had SLE at the music and featuring in a video , i felt they could have come up with better promos . it needed an established actor in the main lead , besides neil mukesh doesnt look very convincing in his role . the twists catch you unaware , stylised direction but there are a few places where the screenplay loses grip .
if i were to rate it i would give it 3 out of 5 .
to be honest i liked ek hasina thee more (atleast the first time i saw it)
p.s.
all said and done i feel the movie deserves a better show at the box office. and its far better than an average hindi film.
aj,
I mean it.. I am not talking about a few percentage of people who walk, talk and live cinema.. I mean the average cine goers, families who visits cinema for weekend pleasures.. My cousin in Pune told me he got in to see Johnny Gaddar only because they could not get tickets for Dhol and Dhamaal in that plex.. Yesterday I got a call from another friend, that he has got the movie and he wanted to check if it can be seen with the family.. another friend told me that he wanted to see the film after a single paragraph review in the local news paper.. but his wife persisted for Dhol that got 4 star and a relief film.. Also I could saw few posters of MSFU a couple of weeks back but cant recall if I noticed any poster of Johnny Gaddar in my town (There could be a few in the town.. but not even on a regular scale)..
BTW I was having a friendly chat with a local distributor and he told me he had not lost any money on the film as they had a different arrangement(?).. not asked details as its not my business… He told me it simply had no cast to carry the film, however great storytelling it is and there was no buzz about it..
and yes I agree… its not a great film but I didn’t find myself disappointed after seeing the film.. In the end I could not take the film with me to home, as Sriram Raghwan has clearly drawn his characters and events and all justifications and does not play with Viewer’s intelligence on Why and How…
PLZ PLZ PLZ!! CANT ANYONE HERE GIVE ME THE DIRECTOR’S EMAIL ADDRESS?? :((:((
nowayjose@kickass.com
its not ‘baaton ke seb’ its ‘baaton ke ser’
what is
@ OZ
THANK YOU !! :)
Hi Bhawani,
Jusr surfing along. Came across your review. I saw the film some time back and had similar thought. could never quiet put them in words like you did.
Best wishes
Suri
Hi Bhavani..
I wanted to know the name of the song which Dharmendra’s late wife sings in the recordings, the one he keeps listening to ??