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 “Once upon a time in Mumbai” (OUATIM) – it’s a longish title, but a good film nonetheless. My favorite genre, this is a crime thriller featuring the mafia, during the 1970s. So you have the tight churidaars and the big hair-dos, the almost Eastman color, and the sideburns. You also have Ajay Devgn in the genre he was born to play – the dark, brooding, principled gangster. An orphan, surviving on the streets of Mumbai, through his street-smarts, Devgn is Sultan Mirza. Resourceful Mirza learns the ways of the world and takes to smuggling. A born leader he stops small-time goons from fighting with each other and unites them against the law.
Along the way, he develops a relationship with beautiful film superstar Rehana (Kangana Ranaut). Also in his employ is Shoaib Khan(Emraan Hashmi), an ambitious young upstart of a goon, who wants to take Sultan’s place as the head of the Mumbai underworld. To make things a little more interesting we also have diligent policeman ACP Agnel Wilson (Randeep Hooda) who is hot on Mirza’s heels. Milan Luthria directs this film and handles it pretty well for the most part. The story is strong except for a few unfathomable turns, and it is multi-layered bringing in many interesting sub-plots, like that of Rihana’s dwindling filmi fortunes and Shoaib’s patient lover. On the negative side it suffers from some shoddy editing and falters a little on the pace, moving a tad slow. Thus it is not as crisp as Company (and I compare this with Company, since it is so strongly the same genre, and features the same lead protagonist), nor is it swift and smart like Maqbool. It is rather like a staid, plodding animal, but so devoted and intent on its purpose that you can’t help but pay attention to it.
There’s an item number for all you folks feeling left out of the mix. Model and wanna-be actress Gauhar Khan (last seen in "Rocket Singh") dances to the remixed-redone “Parda”. The music is melodious – “Pee Loon” by Mohit Chauhan has refrains of Sufi music, while “Babu Rao mast hai” by Mika has a happy-go-lucky effervescence. A high quality soundtrack, this one – Pritam strikes again. I wouldn’t recommend this film for kids under 13 because of all the violence, and some suggestive scenes, but for all you adults looking for a solid, story-based drama, this is a definite must-see.
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OUATIM features a great cast. Devgn gets full marks, and Hashmi who isn’t my favorite actor, does wonders, proving he can act when given direction. Ranaut looks very pretty in the overdone mascara and the humongous hair-buns, and acts her part very well. Now if only they could dub her weakling of a voice all would be well with the world! Prachi Desai in her lovelorn, domestic doormat avatar, as Shoaib’s love interest comes across with feeling. A fit and athletic Hooda suits the role of a policeman on the prowl.