Gayab   Producer: Ramgopal Varma / K Sera Sera Productions Director: Prawaal Raman Starring: Tusshaar Kapoor, Anatra Mali Music: Ajay-Atul, Amar Mohile Lyrics: Taabish Romani, Nitin Raikwar Recommended Audience: Parental Guidance Film Released on: 16 July 2004 Reviewed by: Shruti Bhasin  - Rating: 6.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Music Review

Every time a Ram Gopal Varma Production is about to realease, I get excited because I know I am in for something a little original and thoroughly entertaining. Unfortunately, this time around with his production house's latest, "Gayab", I was dissapointed.

So our story is set up immediately into the world of Vishnu Prasad (Tusshar). He has zero confidence (especially since he is a salesman) and is confused with his life. His mother nags him constantly while his father watches and does not defend his son in any way. Vishnu is no ladies’ man either. He loves a snobby girl named Mohini (Antara Mali), who already has a boyfriend named Sameer. To top it off, Vishnu does not have the respect of his friends or his peers. He is an all around loser.

One fine day, Vishnu winks at Mohini and jealous Sameer slaps him. Vishnu is very upset with his life and decides to wish if he would disappear and . . . poof! He is given the gift to be invisible. I think we all wished on our bad days to disappear, but it does not occur in real life.

The rest of the film contains the antics of Vishnu enjoying his invisibility and trying to win Mohini’s heart (with the insertion of a side-plot here and there).

The film has a wafer-thin plot that was lifted from Darna Mana Hai’s story: “STOP”. There is a definite difference in watching an extended version of a short story. Why? Because within a few minutes, you can somewhat predict what is going to happen and you become bored because since it is a hindi film, you know all must end on a high note. Doesn’t the good guy always wins the girl’s heart? D-uh!

There is nothing new to Gayab. The invisibility trick was more slick in Mr. India. In Hollow Man (2000), with Kevin Bacon, we saw the creepy invisible man. And with Bruce Almighty (2003), with Jim Carrey, we saw how mighty powers can get out of hand. So what does this film have to offer? I would say one thing: Tusshar’s acting. After Khakee, it was refreshing to see Tusshar in a different look. His new avatar and acting what makes Gayab worth watching at least once.

Of the other peformances in Gayab, Rasika Joshi and Raghuveer Yadav excel as Vishnu’s parents. Antara Mali is wasted as a background of Vishnu’s wildest fantasies.

Music by Ajay-Atul and Amar Mohile is average on audio, but in the film seem misplaced and slacken the pace. It is surprising that the promos for the film looked very appealing, but the final product leaves much to be desired.

Recommendation: Not the finest from RGV production team, but worth one watch to see Tusshar’s performance.