DHOKA
OF FARIYAD’S AND JEHAD’S
By Vishal Verma
Rating:- * * *
What is it?
Vow! Can you hit where it hurts, take a topical subject like terrorism, Jihad, secularism, pseudo secularism, and the plight of minorities due to all this factors at one go, Pooja Bhatt does this with ‘Dhoka’.
With ‘Dokha’, Pooja Bhatt makes a prolific attempt to recreate the soul –stirring magic of his father Mahesh Bhatt which was evident in films like ‘Saraansh, Zakhm and comes out with flying colors. The movie disturbs you, shocks you, and confronts you while delivering fodders for thought during the process. Quite Remarkable.
This thought –provoking flick is an eye-opener for those misguided youths who feel blood, bullets and explosions will serve their cause.
Shagufta Rafique’s writing deserves special mention. The unbiased screenplay doesn’t take anybody’s side and is well versed with hard-hitting dialogues packed with punches from time to time.
Muzammil Ibrahim’s debut is something to look out for.
Whats it all about?
Displays the reality of terrorism and its incalculable spiritual costs. It demonstrates a profound understanding of what can seem impossible to understand.
Zaid Ahmed (Muzamil Ibrahim) bright, young Muslim police officer in Mumbai who discovers to live with the violence and the chaos that plagues his city. On the night of a deadly bombing at the New Century club, works tirelessly to help the shocked and shattered patients brought to the hospital.
But this night of turmoil and death takes a horrifying personal turn. His wife's body, the beautiful mysterious Sarah (Tulip Joshi) is found amongst the dead. Things turn horrific when the police coldly announce that Sarah's injuries were typical of those found on fundamentalist suicide bombers. As evidence mounts that his wife, Sarah, was responsible for the catastrophic bombing, Zaid is torn between cherished memories of their years together and the inescapable realization that the beautiful, intelligent woman he loved had a life far removed from their comfortable, assimilated existence together.
Zaid becomes a target of the pseudo – mind set and politics and discovers a shocking truth about his wife. This was used by the so called proclaimers of religious protectors in making her a fidayeen.
He manages to find the real culprit and in the spell-binding climax manages to change the mind of his brother- in- law who is on a mission.
What to look out for?
A soul-stirring, thought-provoking narration backed by some inspired performances.
Pooja Bhatt’s narration is obvious after five minutes and never looses the tempo. The second half intensifies further.
Muzammil Ibrahim is the new face to look out for. He has the looks and expressions. Better grooming will make him a better actor. This is his first film so roughness is expected.
Tulip Joshi shines. After Saraansh, Anupam Kher comes up with another inspired performance, it seems the actor preserves his best for the Bhatt’s. Gulshan Grover, Ashutosh Rana are first rate.
Debutant Aushima Sawhney shows promise.
Cinematography by Anshuman Mahaley is outstanding.
Music by M M Kreem and Shiraz Uppal is in perfect sync, the songs come at the right time.
Production values are first-rate.What Not?
The discussion between the Maulvi and Muzammil is lengthy and far stretched. And the same logic is shared by Muzammil in front of his seniors later on.
Ashutosh Rana’s arrest comes quicker than a fired bullet.