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Director: Hansal Mehta
Cast: Sikandar Kher, Neha Uberoi and Arbaaz Khan
Rating: **
With new-age Bollywood catering to varied tastes and experimenting with genres, the Hindi film hero has undergone change too. With immoral and money-lusting characters forming an integral part of films nowadays, the concept of the 'protagonist' has become a rarity in recent films; Race and Tashan are examples.
Woodstock Villa, the latest offering from Sanjay Gupta's White Feather Films, trods on similar terrain. The hero here is the 'I-won't-get-stuck-in-the-job-rut' youngster, He wants quick money,drink in the city's most happening nightspot and a hot girl in bed.
Sikandar Kher, making his debut as the smart, conniving anti-hero, is a welcome addition to Hindi filmdom. With a raw personality, impressive baritone and an easy going screen presence, Kher fits in comfortably into a complex first role and gives an impressive account of himself. Is the movie as good?
Sadly not. Woodstock Villa gets off to an impressive start and the first half somewhat manages to hold the viewer's attention. All that, however, gets undone post-interval, as unwanted twists, irritating songs and clichés galore ruin the overall impact. Also, the lack of strong content means director Hansal Mehta has padded the film with stylish cuts and different hues, which though impress in the initial reels, gets on your nerves later.
The story... well, there's not much to talk about. In filmi parlance, Woodstock has a 'one-line'. In dire need of money and out to make a quick buck, Sameer (Kher) agrees with Zara (Neha Uberoi) to fool her husband, businessman Kampani (Arbaaz Khan) into believing that she has been kidnapped. All he has to do is pretend to be the kidnapper and demand Rs50 lakhs as ransom from Kampani. What follows is, of course, a number of twists and turns - some wanted, some forced - most failing
to further the cause. In the end, the film leaves the viewer disappointed and wanting more, in spite of an interesting climax, by which time the audience is thoroughly bored.
Apart from Sikandar, the film boasts of non-actors in important roles - Neha Oberoi and Arbaaz Khan - and over-actors in supporting ones - Shakti Kapoor and Gulshan Grover. Director Hansal Mehta fails to bring in the raw energy of his Kay Kay starrer Chhal and the film ends up being another addition to Sanjay Gupta's archive of all-style,
no-substance potboilers.
As for Sikandar Kher, keep the easygoing charm and confident demeanor intact boy. Good times should follow soon.
