Naach   Producer: Varma Corp./Film Factory/K Sera Sera Director: Kiran Reddy and Ram Gopal Varma Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, Antara Mali, and Ritesh Deshmukh Music: Amar Mohile and Shailendra Swapnil Lyrics: Nitin Raikwar, Taabish Romani, Jaideep Sahni and M Genre: Drama Recommended Audience: Parental Guidance Film Released on: 12 November 2004 Reviewed by: Aniket Joshi  - Rating: 8.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Music Review

Often times it occurs that a film doesn’t really need a story to work. Well written, interesting characters, a few good twists, and classy execution is all a film needs to run - sometimes. These are the precise qualities that make Naach a film worth watching. Ram Gopal Varma hasn’t really attempted a love story after Rangeela until now. However, Naach is quite the opposite of Rangeela. If Rangeela was a breezy, humorous love story, then Naach is an intense, subtle, and mature love story. The only similarity between the two films is that they’re set against the backdrop of our very own Hindi film industry.

The movie revolves around the lives of two people, Abhi (Abhishek Bachchan) and Reva (Antara Mali). Abhi is a struggling actor who’s looking for that big break that will make him a star overnight. He accepts the fact that in order to earn fame and success in Hindi films, you sometimes have to do things which you might not agree with. Reva wants to bring her own unique style of choreography into Hindi movies. She firmly stands on her principles and never budges, even if it means losing out on a chance to get work. She wants to make it on her own and do quality, challenging work. Abhi and Reva’s lives cross paths and they fall in love with each other. However, their different ideologies and outlook have something else in store for both of them.

As one might except from all Ram Gopal Varma films, realism is a must. Naach is very different from the candy floss love stories we witness in Bollywood. Yes, there are songs, but even the songs are choreographed in a very different manner from your typical Bollywood movie. Then again, different and “out-there” are RGV’s nicknames. The film is very refreshing and though the pace is slow, Varma’s classy treatment makes the film work. Technically the film is very rich. Kiran Reddy’s camerawork is groundbreaking. Here’s another ace cameraman to come out of the Varma camp after Hemant Chaturvedi (Company). The major let down however comes in the music department. Indeed the soundtrack is unique. However, uniqueness doesn’t always mean success. And for a film whose backdrop is on songs/films, music needed to be catchier.

It seems Abhishek Bachchan is having a coming out party of sorts this year. After his brilliant performance in Yuva, Bachchan can also add this performance to his A-list. He fits his character and transforms himself into Abhi. Antara Mali probably gives the performance of her career, and one of the best of this year. The problem with Mali before this film I thought was that she used to go overboard sometimes. However, here she is very restrained. She also makes you forget that she is acting; she has lived the character of Reva in this film. Ritesh Deshmukh also leaves an impression in his small but significant role as Diwakar in the second half.

Though Naach is not outstanding, it is still one of the better films to come out this year. Naach is a must see for all the Bollywood fans who want to see a “real” love story. If you are a fan of realism and Ram Gopal Varma, this film won’t disappoint you.