Talaash (2012)

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Director: Reema Kagti

Story: Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar

Cast: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji

Music:  Ram Sampath

Time: 139 minutes

Bottom-line: An engrossing neo-noir with brilliant acting

Reema Kagti’s neo-noir drama stars Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles. Along with Yavarum Nalam, Talaash also makes it to my list of “smart” supernatural films. The film was critically and commercially successful, and is easily one of Aamir’s most challenging roles.

 

Aamir as Surjan

Mumbai: On a deserted road late at night, actor Armaan Kapoor swerves his car and crashes into the sea for no apparent reason, leading to his death. Senior police inspector Surjan Shekhawat (Aamir) and his assistant, Devrath (Rajkummar Rao) take charge of the case. Surjan comes to know that Armaan had been travelling with 2 million rupees in cash that he owed to a pimp, Shashi. When Shashi’s friend, Tehmur (Nawasuddin Siddiqui) informs him about Armaan’s death, Shashi takes off with the money. As Surjan continues to investigate, a prostitute, Rosie (Kareena) offers to help him. When Shashi is murdered, Tehmur uses the chance to blackmail Armaan’s friend, Sanjay, pinning the murder on him. What’s the real story behind Armaan’s “accident”? What’s with the seemingly unrelated track of Surjan’s trauma?

 

Kareena as Rosie

With 139 minutes of screen time, Talaash keeps the masala to a minimum. With the opening song taking you right into the underbelly of Mumbai – with thugs, brothels and crime – the story unfurls at a fast pace right from the start. Every scene plays a role by taking us closer to getting the mystery solved. While the story involving Surjan’s wife (Mukerji) and the medium neighbour might seem irrelevant, it will all make sense towards the climax. The twist ending will hit you with a bang – be prepared for it! The best part is when you (and Surjan) realise all the subtle clues that were dropped along the way that you failed to connect (or if you did, well done!).

 

Mukerji as Roshni, Surjan's wife

Aamir’s moustache gives him a much more menacing look, I think, and that suits him perfectly well for this role. Tough, smart and also delusional and depressed at the same time, his complex character is portrayed superbly. Nawasuddin Siddiqui plays the catalytic character – the manipulating crook, Tehmur – and as always, delivers another sublime performance. The real highlight is Kareena, who will definitely mesmerise you with that smile and get you ogling. Rani Mukerji has a smaller role, but the scene where she lashes out at Surjan for distancing himself from her is Mukerji’s high point in the film.

 

Siddiqui as Tehmur

With plot twists around every corner, Talaash masterfully blends drama, mystery and supernatural elements, all against the backdrop of Mumbai’s underbelly. As the lines of the opening song go: Muskaanein Jhooti Hai, Pehchanein Jhooti Hai (the smiles are fake, the identities are fake), Surjan must wade his way through falsities and lies to find his way to the truth, while also confronting his personal trauma. A neo-noir with a considerable amount of emotional content, Talaash is a sure-shot entertainer.

My Rating: 4/5