Naksha – Unlock the mystery!

This is the latest movie to hit the screen and again I could not help but end up among the folks lining up to watch the preview. The trailers promised a good time and promotions hinged on this being a “different masala” kind of movie. This also marked the return of Sunny Deol after quite a hiatus.

First the story – Two archeologists, one good and one bad i.e. Bali (Jackie Shroff), are on a quest for a supernatural power. The good guy dies in order to avoid the map falling into the bad guy’s hand. 20 years down the line the son of the good guy Vicky (Viveik Oberoi) inadvertently gets the map. Realizing that this was his father’s dream he sets out to fulfill it. On the way, he gets into trouble as Jackie’s men attack and kidnap him for the map. His elder step-brother Veer (Sunny Deol) comes to his rescue. Veer has come to take him back home and Vicky is in no mood to relent. Vicky manages to convince Veer that this was their father’s dream and they ought to realize it. On the way, they realize that their father was not killed in an accident but by Bali who by now has managed to lay his hands on the map. Then starts a roller coaster ride to the destination and in the end the good triumphs over evil.

This film boasts of a very interesting concept. Such films are rarely made in India (the last such movie that you can think of is the Mackenna’s gold inspired Zalzala in the 80s). Just like you have seen/read concepts like Da Vinci Code/National Treasure which deal with mythology/history; the film successfully uses mythology (read Mahabharatha). But, interesting concept needs to be in efficient hands to make it into a good film. Such movies (maybe view might have been affected by watching similar kind of Hollywood movies) need to be going at breakneck speed, make your adrenaline pump; basically make you hooked onto the proceedings. This is where Naksha falters.

Notable scenes in the movie are:

1. The clues are well thought out and filmed
2. The chase through water is good
3. The final climax and especially the way they ended was good.

The director being a first timer could be a reason for this. Though some scenes have been handled well, Sachin Bajaj needs to improve on his story telling abilities. Editing doesn’t help its cause either. Looks like the editor took leave or fell in love with the visuals. The first half really tests your patience. All the songs prove to be speed breakers and should be chopped off as songs don’t have a place in such movies. Also, quite a number of scenes can be trimmed.

Technically the film is far above the “run of the mill” movies. The camerawork is just splendid. The picturesque locations in New Zealand have been captured vividly. Action, by Allan Amin, is another area which has some fantastic work. Some of the action sequences have been directly “inspired” by the Rock movie “Welcome to the Jungle” as also quite a number of scenes. No harm in that as long as you do justice to that and Allan Amin does do justice.

Background score by Salim-Suleiman is also very good. Music by Pritam is decent. The "U & I" number during the end titles stands out.

On the acting front, Sunny Deol is likeable as Veer. Given that his role is that of a strong guy, cant imagine others carrying it off convincingly. After a long time we see him in a non-patriotic/non-preachy kind of role and is a welcome change. He was his usual self in bashing up people, like only he can. His dancing was surprise though and looked like he thoroughly enjoyed himself in the “Jat Yamla” song, a far cry from his days of exercising in the name of dance (remember “Yaara O Yaara” from JeetJ).

Viveik Anand Oberoi, that’s what he calls himself now, might need to reevaluate his profession. The first 15-20 mins when he was showing himself as cool guy was irritating to say the least and the audience was praying for Sunny Deol to appear on screen (Actually the cheers were pretty loud when Sunny entered). Viveik was better off in the later parts but could have been better. No idea what happened to the promise he showed in his debut movie “Company”.

Sameera Reddy does not have anything to do and only once or twice mentions she was a journalist that’s it. Just there for singing and dancing.

Jackie is good as the villanious Bali and he does look sinister enough. A talented actor who nowadays does not do good enough movies shines here.

Mridula Chandrashekhar marks her debut as a moll and is utterly wooden. She does nothing noteworthy except bare her body which she does effectively. Others like Suhashini Mulay, Navni Parihar, Lilliput are all wasted in inconsequential roles.

Overall Naksha has an interesting, different plot and has its moments but makes you wonder how good it would have been with a compentent director and and some editor

Rating -- 2.5/5 (0.5 star for the plot/camerawork/action)