KIDNAP
Loaded with some captivating moments
by Vishal Verma

Banner: Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd
Genre: Thriller
Director: Sanjay Gadhavi
Target Audience: General
Star Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Minissha Lamba, Imran Khan, Vidya Malvade, Rahul Dev, Reema Lagoo, Sophie Choudry & Malaika Arora ( Special Appearance), Raj Zutshi(Friendly Appereance),
Cinematography: Bobby Singh
Editor: Rameshwar S Bhagat
Story / Writer: Shibani Bathija
Action: Allan Amin
Sound: Dwarak Warrier
Background Music: Raju Singh
Choreography: Remo
Lyricist: Sandeep Vyas, Sanjeev Vyas & Mayur Puri
Music Director: Sandeep Vyas, Sanjeev Vyas & Pritam Chakraborty
Singers: Sandeep Vyas, Suzy Q, Shreya Ghosal, Adnan Sami, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sukhwinder Singh & Akruti Kakkar.
Publicity Designs: Himanshu Nanda & Rahul Nanda
Media Relations: Parag Desai

Technical Analysis
After the sweet success of ‘Jab We Met’ Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision joins hands with Sanjay Gadhavi – the man who created enough noise at the B.O.  with the ‘Dhoom’ series and brings us ‘Kidnap’. So does ‘Kidnap’ is able to hold the audience captive for the entire 16 reel. Well the answer is Yes but to an extant.

Sanjay though starts well and crisply narrates the first 15 odd minutes but afterwards the screenplay fails to move forward and starts playing games with the audience, Shibani’s writing fails to maintain the tempo and the pace which results in an just an above average thriller.

If the writer would have cared for some more edge of the seat moments and thrills then ‘Kidnap’ would have been a perfect ID bonanza for the audience.

The movie does rise above the mundane in its finale and the self inventory and guilt consciousness is duly explained but unfortunately by then the audience had already given a test of their patient.

But anyway, ‘Kidnap’ is an effort which should be applauded for 2 reasons, one for the confidence shown by Imran in enacting the difficult role which had negative shades in which he comes out with flying colours and another for the twist in the tale in the end which lifts the film and gives this ordinary thriller a meaning.  

The movie is well captured by Bobby where Sanjay once again proves his reliability and Minissha is likeable. Vidya Vidya Malvade & Rahul Dev are also noteworthy.

The Story
A reasonably captivating drama with some layers in the story by the end. Dr. Mallika (Vidya Malvade) is a divorcee with a daughter Sonia (MINISSHA LAMBA) Sonia tells her she wants her Dad. Vikrant Raina (SANJAY DUTT) for her birthday  Rebellious Sonia is hell-bent on meeting her dad, but Mallika does not want her to have anything to do with him. After a spat between mother and daughter, Sonia walks off in a huff and doesn't return.

Mallika panics when she gets a call from a stranger that he has kidnapped Sonia. The kidnapper, Kabir (IMRAN KHAN), has only one demand - that he will negotiate with nobody but Sonia's father - Vikrant Raina.

Reluctantly Mallika brings Vikrant back into their lives to save Sonia. But Vikrant Raina, one of the richest Indians in the world, with a net worth of 51.7 billion dollars, chokes at the thought of taking orders from a criminal.

But Kabir holds the trump card - he holds Sonia and Vikrant knows he has no option but to toe the line.

They are going to play a game - just the two of them. Vikrant has to play by the rules set by Kabir and he has to play alone. He has to play to save his daughter. If he even utters the words 'Hello Police', it will be Bye Bye for Sonia!

Because his daughter's life is at stake, a reluctant Vikrant agrees to obey Kabir's orders. Kabir sets him a series of daunting, time bound tasks. As Vikrant completes each task, he receives a clue that will bring him a step closer to finding Sonia.

Vikrant Raina chases elusive clues through impossible terrain, even as a hawk eyed Kabir keeps a watch on every step he takes.

Later in the end the story unfolds and it’s revealed why Kabir was doing all this.

Promotion
The movie is being promoted as Sanjay Gadhavi’s next after the success of Dhoom which has an emerging heartthrob Imran in a negative role. The promos are interesting and well targeted.

Media Awareness by Parag Desai has been reasonable.

Business Analysis
Promoted as the next from the Dhoom helmer, ‘Kidnap’ though captivating to some extant, lacks the punch and thrill of Dhoom. The movie also disappoints in the music department and there is no hit number to bring in more audience.

Imran’s negative role has generated some curiosity but the movie has to beat a tough competition. The movie has taken a better opening and is a front runner this Friday but that is not likely to sustain because of the lack of captivating moments and as a result ‘Kidnap’ will at the most will receive an average status at the B.O.

Star Status
Sanjay Dutt :  Sanjay Dutt first major release this year and the fate of the movie will not effect him in any way.

Imran Khan: After the fine success of ‘Jane Tu…., Imran’s second film is totally different and a challenge. The audience definitely will like him in the movie and it will make the actors position more solid.

Minissha Lamba : The actress is riding high after the success of ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ Kidnap is most likely to be average at the B.O.

Which means the actress will still end up her 2008 diary with some winning note.