Beyond the myth... Lies Mumbai's greatest betrayal
And that’s what DCP Agnel Wilson (Randeep Hooda) thinks he is to blame for. Its that guilt that leads him to attempt suicide. He believes that he gave up a chance when he had the best one. Unfortunately his attempted suicide fails and he finds himself in front of the commissioner of police explaining himself and the story of Sultan Mirza (Ajay Devgn) and Shoaib Khan (Emraan Hashmi).
Sultan Mirza comes to Mumbai after a flood in Chennai forces him out of the city. He would not be more than 10 years old when he starts working in the dockyard. At an early age he starts showing people that he cares. He makes just 4 annas (25p) every day (mind you it’s a really long time back) but gives away 1 anna to a beggar when she asks him to. All he says is, “Dua mein yaad rakhna” (remember me in your prayers). He starts doing odd jobs for the local goons and gains their trust and over time starts controlling the docks. The other gospel truth that he lives by, “Jab Dost banake kaam ho sakta hai to Dushman kyon banaye” (When one can get work done by making friends then why make enemies). Realising that there is no point in fighting with rival gangs, he calls the 4 big players – Vishnu, Pathan, Vardhan and Verghese – where he successfully suggests the division of Mumbai into clear territories for each one. In the bargain he retains control of the 5 territory – the sea.
Enter Shoaib Khan. Son of Inspector Khan who reports into ACP Agnel Wilson (at that time). He has always been severely stubborn and convinced that there is no point in following the right path. He keeps indulging in petty crimes to make a living. On the insistence of Inspector Khan, Sultan provides Shoaib with an opportunity to start a small electronics store. But when he gets caught for some of his past crimes, Sultan has no other choice but to induct him to the core business i.e. Smuggling. Patrick (Naved Aslam), Sultan’s right hand man, is not comfortable with the idea but lets it pass.
In between all of this, Sultan’s love life comes alive thanks to him sweeping leading actress Rihana (Kangana Ranaut) off her feet with some sheer persistence. Also, the only piece of furniture in the movie, Mumtaz (Prachi Desai) makes her appearance as Shoaib’s love interest. Rihana and Sultan share a publicly known relationship but aren’t married. However, when Rihana is diaganosed with Congenital Heart Disease (Hole in the heart) he decides to get out of managing the core business to a more supervisory role (read politician). When he goes to meet the home minister, he leaves the responsibility of the business with Shoaib.
OUATIM is a well made period movie which deals with one of the favourite topics for most audiences – gangsters. The similarities between the story of Haji Mastan and Dawood are unmistakable – no matter how much the producers may put a disclaimer. But at the end of the day that’s what rakes in the moolah I guess. The fact that the movie has been around for over 4 weeks now and running fairly successfuly is a fair indicator that the crowds like it.
All in all, I think Milan Luthria does a good job with the direction. There are some gaffes that could have been managed well like the nice 21st Century heels that Ms. Desai wears in the song “Pee Loon” under her Sharara. This could have been hidden better I thought. Also, Sultan and Rihana are seen having dinner or lunch @ the Renaissance which I am quite sure didn’t exist in the 70s. Could have gone in for a more relevant location, especially since the map of Mumbai very clearly calls out only greater Mumbai. Now how did they get to Powai when it didn’t exist. And then there is the cigarette that Shoaib smokes which clearly is a B&H – wonder if they were around at that time in India. These kind of eliminate the overall good attention to detail in aspects such as costumes which are very well designed and apt for the period. If only the finishing at the cutting table was better.
Ajay Devgn comes in with yet another stand out performance. Yes its true that actors mature with age. One cant imagine that this was the same “Charsi” looking face that hit the screens with Phool Aur Kaante nearly 20 years back. Mr. Devgn (without the a) – you have definitely come a long way. And the dropping of “a” seems to have helped too. Emraan Hashmi needs to drop his constipated looks which he believes makes him look like an “Angry Young Man” and stick what he does best – kissing his leading ladies. Prachi Desai is furniture and if it hadn’t been for the controversial love making scene that her family seems to be extremely upset about, she would have been relegated to furniture. Surprisingly, Kangana looks extremely stunning. Brilliant work with the make up I must say. This is the best I have seen Kangana and in all fairness, one cannot take eyes off her.
The movie keeps you quite involved all the way through. Narration is strong enough to keep audiences interested. Overall a 6 on 10. Must take time out to watch if not done yet.
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