Table No. 21

Vivaan (Rajeev Khandelwal) and Siya Agasthi (Tena Desae) are an apparently happily married couple who win a trip to the magical islands that Vijay Singh (the ace golfer) calls his home. For those who are unaware of where Vijay Singh comes from it would be the Polynesian island country of Fiji.

On their last day, they are invited for their anniversary lunch to a hotel owned by Abdul Razzaq Khan (Paresh Rawal) who seems to be a man of means to put it mildly. Now Vivaan and Siya are in trouble back home because Vivaan doesn’t have a job. Khan has come to the table with just the solution that they want. Something that will solve all their problems.

At stake is a nominal sum of Rs. 21 crores. That’s Rs. 210 million for the non Indians or $4 million. What would you be willing to do to get that amount into your bank account? Lets rephrase that question. What would be willing to do that is considered legal and have that amount in your bank account in about 3 to 4 weeks?

My guess would be – A LOT. Well Vivaan and Siya have to play a game which is Mr. Khan’s version of Sach Ka Saamna (Moment of Truth) & Who Dares Wins put together. Ironically Rajeev Khandelwal is the host of Sach Ka Saamna in real life. But in reel life as the poster calls out (very cornily of course) – IF YOU LIE – YOU DIE!!! (guttural laughter follows. Similar to the one from MJs Thriller video).

Khandelwal’s choice of movies has typically been good to date. Aamir, Shaitan & Soundtrack to name a few. And if you would look @ Tena Desae’s career, she has had a few bit parts in some good movies and has done a decent job in them. Some of them have been Hollywood hits as well. And as for Paresh Rawal – all of us are aware of his prowess as an actor.

So Table No. 21 should have been a good, safe bet right? If I consider the storyline then yes. It is a safe bet. In fact an interesting story. But that would not say much because, standing in your way of what could have been a really good movie is one Aditya Datt. Aditya’s direction can be best described to that of a cat that has been cornered by a few dogs and it doesn’t know where to go or how to escape.

A topic / story like this needed to be handled with far more intensity and attention to detail. The make up is all over the place. There is unnecessary use of songs / music in the wrong places. At least 20 minutes could have been chopped off. Just a few ways that Aditya could have made this really worth it.

Amongst the new crop of directors, someone like Bejoy Nambiar would have probably got these missing elements in. But then Bejoy is due to release David in 4 weeks. Lets hope that makes up for the weak start to 2013. 5 on 10.

Trailer on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsC1MI9NvSs