CORPORATE – UNETHICAL GAMES COMPANIES PLAY TO STAY AHEAD

Rating:- * * 1/2

Obviously, prompted by the thought that variety is the spice of life, Madhukar Bhandarkar has tried to make a film on an altogether different kind of subject. Business rivalry.The film tells the story of two leading industrialist families led by Vinay Sehgal [Rajat Kapoor], Managing Director of Sehgal Group of Industries and Dharmesh Marwah [Raj Babbar], Managing Director of Marwah International P. Ltd.

Among the hordes of hard working people working for the rival companies, there is also Nishigandha [Bipasha Basu], a businesswoman with high aspirations and hunger to make it big.

When the battle for supremacy begins, moral codes thrown to the winds, and success and prestige take precedence over everything else. And people are driven to the brink of insanity. The film also peeps into the mindset of the powerful people and attempts to find out what makes them tick. It explores the nexus between the corporate world and the political and follows the trail of sex and corruption that hides behind a glittering and glassy exterior.

The initial portions of the flick throws light on the power games that the high and mighty play , games with which the common is hardly interested upto a point. Yet, there are several characters in the film with which you identify with instantly. Like, for instance, the scheming politician or the lecherous CEO of a company, who has sex on his mind all the time.

If the first half does not impress the cinegoer, no great harm done. The second half does. The story takes a somersault with which the commoners can identify. The twist in the tale -- when Bipasha is used as a pawn in the game -- sends a shiver down one’s spine.

It’s in the post-interval portion that shows Madhur’s competence, as a writer [screenplay: Madhur, Manoj Tyagi] and director.

Music by Shamir Tandon is not really a strong point of the the film.Nevertheless, two or three tracks are quite tuneful. 'O Sikandar' and 'Lamha Lamha Zindagi Hai' are appropriate and only take the story forward. The background score [Raju Singh] is in sync with the theme. Dialogues [Aje Monga, Manoj Tyagi] are pithy.

As for performances, the character who breathes life into her role and emerges trumps is Bipasha. Kay Kay too comes into form and Rajat Kapoor is excellent as the shrewd industrialist. Raj Babbar underplays his part beautifully. Harsh Chhaya is first-rate. Sandeep Mehta [as the lusty CEO] is an actor to watch. Vinay Apte is superb as the corrupt minister. Payal Rohatgi is alright.

On the whole, the film may not prove to be another “Chandni Bar” or “Page 3”, but it is likely to do pretty well, more so because “Krrish” has already had its share of the windfall.