'Murder 2' is darker and sleazier

Film: Murder 2 (A)
Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sudhanshu Pandey, Prashant Narayanan, Sulagna Panigrahi
Director: Mohit Suri
Rating: ***

Watching an erotic thriller in a single screen where most of the escapist crowd is more interested in the whose-whistle-is-louder game, you’re either 1) bound to lose out on the sleaze unfolding on screen or 2) be overjoyed by the very same unnecessary enhancements. With only 40 bucks for a ticket, such killjoy cacophony toh banta hai boss.

The Bhatt camp is here with the ‘sequel’ to the widely appreciated Murder (2004) which was a turning point in ‘serial kisser’ Emraan Hashmi’s career. Known for its story (never mind the inspiration), Mallika Sherawat and, of course, chartbuster ‘Bheegey Hont Tere’, Murder ushered in the bolder side of Hindi cinema.

Murder 2 isn’t exactly a sequel; it doesn’t take off from where Murder left and is definitely much darker, sinister, sleazier and, sadly, has no Mallika. To fill in that gaping void, there is Fernandez, who is more of a mannequin with least cover the script could do without.

But it’s the Murder franchise and the oomph factor being primal, we’re begged to be tolerant. Murder 2’s story (by Mahesh Bhatt) is fresh, while Shagufta Rafique’s screenplay isn’t staggering enough to garner praise. We’re purposely turning a deaf ear to news that it’s a rip-off of some Korean film (The Chaser).

Ex-cop-turned-rogue Arjun Bhagwat (Hashmi) is lonely, callous and has a hand in every criminal pie in scenic Goa. Sameer, a pimp, comes to Arjun to find out where and how his hookers have been disappearing while on calls. Taking upon himself to bust this suspected case of human trafficking, Arjun sets out on the streets of Goa (very well-captured by cinematographer Ravi Walia).

He manages to net deranged artist Dheeraj Pandey (Narayanan), a sadomasochist disowned by family and living a solitary life.

With almost no element of suspense (unlike its predecessor Murder), Murder 2 is very predictable. Even the entry of the college student Reshma (Panigrahi) driven to prostitution by poverty doesn’t make the proceedings compelling. All of Murder 2’s zenith points are driven by Narayanan, who rises above Shagufta Rafique’s loophole-ridden screenplay to portray a eunuch by choice.

Director Anurag Basu set a benchmark with Murder, Mohit Suri tries with partial success to measure up to it with Murder 2.

Minus all those steamy love-making scenes, Fernandez’s binge drinking and constant cribbing of loneliness, Murder 2 could have been crisper. You cannot enjoy a film like this one, but only appreciate the twists and turns while guessing what next? It’s gross and dark but also has enough skin show and sleaze to mellow it down (not always a welcome idea). Hashmi isn’t exceptional either. He broods, is rude and his intentions are not always clear. Lack of character depth is among the weak points of Murder 2.

Narayanan is the star of Murder 2. Edgy and exuding raw energy, he gets into the skin of Dheeraj Pandey beautifully (even though his character is anything but beautiful). Murder 2 has too many weaknesses but Narayanan’s performance more than makes up for them. After roles in recent releases Yeh Saali Zindagi and Bhindi Bazaar Inc, Bollywood may have got its quintessential baddie in Narayanan. Reshma is an important character played by Panigrahi with conviction. All those in cop roles are passable.

What Murder did to Hashmi’s career, Murder 2 will do to Narayanan’s. This one’s not for the weak-hearted. Watch it for the story and Narayanan’s extraordinary performance. You won’t miss Mallika too much. She wouldn’t have much to do even if she was part of this sleaze fest thriller.