7 Khoon Maaf - Movie Review

Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan, John Abraham, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Naseeruddin Shah, Anu Kapoor, Aleksandr Dyachenko, Vivaan Shah

Director: Vishal Bhardwaj

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala, Vishal Bhardwaj

Rating: ***

Vishal Bhardwaj has never disappointed as a filmmaker and his films always deliver a certain aesthetic appeal. His latest, '7 Khoon Maaf', a black comedy based on Ruskin Bond's short story 'Susanna's Seven Husbands' ends up being a film that will be more remembered for terrific performances by its ensemble cast and a few superbly executed moments rather than a film as a whole.

'7 Khoon Maaf' is Susanna's (Priyanka Chopra) long journey of quest for true love that sees her getting married six times. However, each of her hubbies – the dominating and cruel Major Rodriques (Neil Nitin Mukesh), junkie rock star Jimmy (John Abraham), poet with a sadomasochistic streak Wasiullah (Irrfan Khan), bigamous Russian double agent Vronsky (Aleksandr Dyachenko), Viagra popping lusty investigating officer Keemat (Anu Kapoor) and bankrupt naturist Dr Tarafdar (Naseeruddin Shah) end up dying under mysterious circumstances. The orphan house help at Susanna's place, Arun Kumar (Vivaan Shah) who always nursed a huge crush on her narrates Susanna's tale to his wife (Konkona Sen Sharma).

Quirky, extremely dark yet poignant, '7 Khoon Maaf' is not everyone's cup of tea. Without taking a moralistic stand, Vishal involves an interesting and unique narrative structure that keeps you hooked for quite some time. It is to the credit of Vishal and his co-script writer Mathew Robbins that never once Susanna ends up looking like a blood thirsty psychopath. Vishal continues unearthing superb new talent in strong character roles. So we see Shashi Malviya (Gunga), Harish Khanna (Ghalib) and singer Usha Uthup (Maggie Aunty) playing Susanna's loyal servant trio cum her accomplices in murders. If one wonders why Susanna didn't walk out of any of her marriages, there is a superb short back story narrated by her Butler, Ghalib (Harish Khanna) which rests all doubts about Susanna's motives. While the exact period setting is never directly established, subtle hints are intelligently dropped to showcase the passage of time by means of indirect discussions on Operation Blue Star, VP Singh Government's fall, Berlin wall's fall, IC 814 hijack and the 26/11 terrorists attack in Mumbai.

The narrative wastes no time in transition from one marriage into the next one. But then this also runs the risk of not giving enough moments for Susanna's chemistry to develop with her prospective grooms. We don't really feel big sympathy for her character. Also during the last 20 minutes, the pace drops completely and you keep waiting for the film to end. The end also doesn't quite achieve the 'high' that one keeps anticipating it would. It is almost as if Vishal loses the grip on his narrative during those moments. Inconsistencies in makeup jar. The old Priyanka's makeup and Vivaan Shah's middle aged look appear over done.

The stable fight with hunters between Gunga and Major Rodrigues is pure thrill and its credit goes to action director Shyam Kaushal. Vishal continues with his use of shaky camerawork and cinematographer Ranjan Palit delivers superb work despite most of the film being shot in the dark. Sreekar Prasad's editing is inconsistent. The Vishal – Gulzar combo weaves musical magic together, yet again. While their 'Darrling' turns out to be the best track, 'Bekaraan' shot in Kashmir is pure bliss. But one of the best songs of the album, 'Tere Liye' is sorely missed.

Priyanka Chopra gets the role of her lifetime and she utilises this opportunity to her optimum. Playing a role that spans from being a 20 something to a mid 50s one, Priyanka is simply marvellous. Neil Nitin Mukesh springs a surprise with his menacingly good act as the dictatorial Major. Ever dependable Irrfan Khan and Naseeruddin Shah shine yet again. Russian actor Aleksandr Dyachenko is perfectly cast. John Abraham is very good. Naseeruddin Shah's son Vivaan in his debut role displays rare maturity. Anu Kapoor is simply excellent and evokes the maximum laughs.

'7 Khoon Maaf' is Vishal's most audacious film till date. Do watch it if dark humour excites you, or you relish unusual fare.

By Abhijit Mhamunkar / Sanskriti Media & Entertainment