After Hrs review: 'Talaash'

Film: Talaash
Director: Reema Kagti 
Cast: Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Rating: ***

For those patient enough to sit through an unconventional narrative that unfolds at an unhurried pace, Talaash is worth a watch. The film ambles through dingy lanes and seedy hotels to weave a tale of love, loss, revenge and redemption. Along the way, we get absorbed into the personal and professional life of Surjan Singh Shekhawat (Aamir), a cop grappling with a personal tragedy.

His troubled wife Roshni (Rani) quietly deals with her own pain while Shekhawat is busy investigating the death of a superstar, who dies in a mysterious road accident. Soon, he comes across a pimp’s side-kick Temur (Nawazuddin) and a commercial sex worker Rosy (Kareena), who appear to have some clues.

As he tries to unravel the mystery, Shekhawat finds his real and perceived worlds intersecting. A constable insists there is some paranormal activity on the stretch of road where similar accidents have occurred in the past. Meanwhile, his neighbour claims to be a medium and says she has a message for him from the dead. Shekhawat’s quest takes him on an unexpected journey where it’s not clear what is true and what is imaginary.

Aamir is understated while Rani’s depressive act is heartbreakingly good. Kareena plays the sweet-talking sex worker well, while Nawazuddin shines as the crippled lackey. But the well-etched characters are just the icing on the cake. The real winner here is the engaging and well-told story.