Maximum

Over the past few weeks, we have seen several debates about movies being really slow. The confusion has always been on whether the movie is slow or intense. For my money’s worth, Shanghai and Gangs of Wasseypur were supremely intense movies and not to be confused with being slow. Maximum on the other hand is a movie that can qualify to be called “Really Slow”!!!!

For once, I have seen some stalwarts of Indian cinema act on screen bereft of any intent or commitment to the role whatsoever. That, the likes of Naseeruddin Shah still does a great job is credit to the man’s talent. However, for the first time, I have seen the likes of Vinay Pathak fall flat – really flat. As if there were no reason for him to actually act in this movie. As if they were doing a favour on director Kabeer Kaushik or whoever was the producer involved – much like the story line which involves knowing the right people at the right places and calling in the right favours at the right time.

ACP Pratap Pandit (Sonu Sood) is by his own admission a problem child. It is the year 2003 and Mumbai Police is probably at its peak thanks to the initiatives taken between Pratap Pandit and his boss. However, the team which keeps Mumbai safe is being divided between Pandit’s Boss – Subodh Singh and his counter part in Anti Terrorism – Khanna. There is a turf war building up and Subodh and Khanna have both got their pawns ready in the form of Pandit and Pandit’s ex mentor – Arun Inamdar (Naseeruddin Shah).

Maximum follows the two war horses butting heads in a battle to gain the maximum power that is possible given the circumstances – just so that one can stay a step ahead of the other at all times. A battle that rages over 8 years and results first in the rise of Pandit and then the gradual fall as he keeps losing ground. The movie however, also clearly shows as to how the department lands up being the eventual “Biggest Loser”.

Other than the main performances from the expected faces which flatter to deceive, Maximum is littered with more lackadiscal acting from Sonu Sood & Neha Dhupia. Only two people come up with really solid performances – Mohan Agashe and Rajendra Gupta. Why the rest fail to come up with committed performances will remain a mystery to me for sure.

Even the raunchy Hazel Keech – replete with love handles which could put Good Year out of business (with competition only from Vidya Balan as on date) – belting out Aa Ante Amalapuram doesn’t do much to raise the movie’s tempo. And Anjana Sukhani’s presence is all but irrelevant. Disappointing @ 4 on 10. Definitely expected more.

Watch the movie on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InO-XttE2yc