Madhoshi

Director: Tanveer Khan
Starring: Priyanshu Chatterjee, Bipasha Basu, John Abraham.
Music: Roopkumar Rathod

Ever wondered why all those gossip magazines have slowly disappeared from newsstands. Most of them who were making big benefits by mouth-watering gossips and titillating pictures have vanished from the scenes.

Only few have survived and that is because they have news content. It is a sign that film fans are losing interest in the personal life of the celebrities.

And they are more interested in filmmaking and its evolution as a new genre. So most of the films made recently with real life pair have flopped miserably barring only a few that can be counted on fingers.

If Aishwarya Rai could not bring fame for her friend Vivek Oberoi in 'Kyun Ho Gaya Naa', then it was Kareena Kapoor who could not bring luck to his close buddy Shahid Kapoor in 'Fida'.

Now, the same question looms large on Bipasha Basu. Will she be lucky once again for her boyfriend John Abraham in this new film of this week 'Madhoshi'? They have done wonders at the box office with soft-porn movie 'Jism' and got the slot of best selling hot pair.

The pair's credibility to sell a film on their shoulders is at risk in 'Madhoshi'. The outcome of the film is going to decide whether we are going to see more films of the pair or not? Also,

The fate of its director Tanveer Khan is at stake as he makes his debut with this film that is also the very first one made in this part of the continent on the 9/11 tragedy.

'Madhoshi' brings in the emotional saga of a tragedy that shook the world three years back. Bipasha Basu for the first time works in a film that walks and talks just about the character.

To work in a woman-centric film is not an easy job but Bipasha Basu who is otherwise only referred to as sex bomb has come out as a sensitive actress. She plays Anupama in 'Madhoshi', a girl whose life is shattered when her sister and brother-in-law become victims of September 11 tragedy in New York.

Her mental balance too suffers a major setback and she becomes seriously ill. Life becomes miserable for her parents (effectively played by Rajiv Verma and Smita Jaykar) seeing the conditions of their daughter, but the life moves on.

After some time, Anupama tries to recollect shackles of life and at this juncture of her life she is introduced to an ad world guy named Arpit (Priyanshu Chatterjee). They get engaged and both of them head for a happy family.

But once again the fate plays its part with Anupama. Arpit is on a tour for some important work and returns home. Anupama meets a handsome guy called Aman (John Abraham), working against the terrorists' outfits. Aman and Anupama find the chemistry between them and start running in a cozy relationship.

Arpit comes back and all the preparations for the marriage start but Anupama refuses to tie the knot with him. The drama takes another turn when Arpit sets about to find out who this guy in his fiancñš life really is.

'Madhoshi', earlier titled 'Mumkin', heavily relies on the hit pair of 'Jism', Bipasha Basu and John. John who is riding high these days post the success of Yashraj Films' 'Dhoom', brings in a lot of energy and mystery once again in this film.

But, his role comes a bit late in the film. 'Madhoshi' though made as a mystery film starts with any another masala flick from Bollywood. Too many songs and stupid situations may have created a light atmosphere before the actual drama sets in. But it works negavtively because people have come in with a pre-set mind to see the film.

The major portion in first half is wasted in creating a mood that does not get with the actual setting of the story plot. And, by the time actual drama starts setting in, viewers start feeling uneasy as to what the director is up to.

Tanveer, who has also written the film besides holding the megaphone, may have done intentionally to give a shock treatment to viewers. However, it fails to work in favor of the film. John and Bipasha's intimate scenes look repetitive. They are neither sensuous nor erotic.

Tanveer's debut film is a brave attempt to break away from the set mould of film making in Bollywood. But it needs a better screenplay if not the story. The casting is perfect but Priyanshu's character could have been more logical.

His appearances and then disappearance in the major portion of the film and then again his resurfacing in last scenes does not make a perfect impact on the plot. Priyanshu's career would have taken wings to fly like anything but his wrong selection of roles is taking him nowhere.

He is a good actor and a better orator than many but he is not getting right roles. Ghazal singer Roop Kumar Rathod doubles in this film as music director, but the music is not as impressive as his voice is.

Most of the songs in the film work as hindrance for the story progression and that mars the impact of the music. Some songs may be hummable but only at home not in theatres.

'Madhoshi' is a weak film loaded with strong performance by Bipasha Basu. If it fails at the box office, the fault lies with its director and not with the cast.