MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Om Puri, Anupam Kher, Javed Jaffrey, Sonia Mehra, Preeti Jhangiani, Kamal Sadanah,Javed Jaffrey,Tora Khasgir, Rajesh Khera
Director: Anant Mahadevan
Producer: Kamal Sadanah
Music Director: Viju Shah
Lyricists: Asif Ali Beig, Varma Malik, Chandrashekhar Rajit, Indeevar
Editor: Sanjib Datta
Screenplay: Sunjiv Puri, Manoj Tyagi
EXCLUSIVE REVIEW BY HANUMANT BHANSALI
Directed by Anant Mahadevan, the cast of Victoria No. 203 comprises of industry’s talented actors like Jimmy Shergill, Om Puri, Anupam Kher, Javed Jaffrey, Sonia Mehra and Preeti Jhangiani in pivotal roles.
The plot of Victoria No. 203 revolves around a diamond heist and the involvement of various characters in quest of the 300 crores diamonds.
Bobby Bombata (Javed Jaffery), a rich businessman and his muse Devyani (Preeti Jhangiani) are in awe of the diamonds. After failing to acquire them from its owner, Bobby decides to get them stolen by lady burglar Tora (Tora Khasgir). Tora steals the diamonds in her own inevident style. She plans a double cross with her brother Karan (Rajesh Khera), but fails during the execution as the villainous Ranjit (Kamal Sadanah) stabs her with a knife.
Bleeding Tora falls next to Victoria No 203, a carriage. She hides the diamonds in it. Victoria driver Raman gets picked by the law keepers in the process of taking Tora to the hospital. Sara (Sonia Mehra), is forced to ride the Victoria as Raman, her father is convicted in Tora’s murder case.
Unaware of the hidden diamonds, Sara rides the Victoria around the city of Mumbai. Love creeps in as Jimmy (Jimmy Joseph) hires the carriage for a ride and falls for Sara. Jimmy is an expert on diamonds. Small time crooks Raja (Anupam Kher) and Rana (Om Puri) hear about the stolen diamonds and hope to acquire them.
Anant Mahadevan’s storytelling abilities fail to impress, making Victoria No. 203 a junky ride. The remake lacks the grasping effect which was evidently visible in the well made original.
It takes little over 30 minutes for the film to be declared a big mistake. The actors fail to the trendy changes in the plot and the tale lacks the finesse of a thriller.
The screenplay is a net of loop holes, so many that outcounts the number of positives in the thriller. Anant Mahadevan has failed to capture the chemistry of his actors, who look like plastics framed for a few expressions. Musically, there is nothing worth talking about as all the songs are dull and poorly shot.
Actors can do little when the director is happy with their portrayals. Om Puri graphs his character well. Anupam Kher is emotionless and irritates with his presence. Jimmy Shergill etches well in his role. Newcomer Soniya Mehra should go back to Anupam’s school of acting in the true sense. Javed Jaffrey is adequate. Preeti Jhangiani looks freshed up with her seductive moves. The other actors are wasted.
Poor direction complimented with invisible chemistry and faulty screenplay makes Victoria No. 203 a complete no – no for your entertainment quota.All thumbs down to this remake, which is bound to get bruised at the box office with the help of big films giving it a tough run.
Radiosargam Movie Rating: 3/10
Hanumant Bhansali
Part 1
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