Article Updated 11 December, 2004 05:18:19 AM IST   Musafir By Prema K. ©2004 Bollyvista.com   The film has too many twists in the tale. Lucky (Anil Kapoor) wants to bid adieu to his life of crime and wants to start life afresh. This is his last con-job with his girlfriend (Koena Mitra) as his aide and abettor in crime. Unfortunately for him there is betrayal. He is on a ruthless and money-hungry drug lord, Billa's (Sanjay Dutt), hit list. Billa makes a weird fashion statement with flashy clothes and jewelry, a spiky haircut and a stylish beard. He is also besotted with Hindi films. There is a shift of scene to Goa where Lucky goes to strike a drug deal in order to free himself. He pulls it off easily, chases a hot woman, Sam (Sameera Reddy), with a shocking past. He loses the drug lord's money again and is offered the same by Luka (Mahesh Manjrekar). Luka is a cheap guy and pervert who suspects his sexy wife, Sam, of being loose-charactered. He makes a deal with Lucky to kill Sam in exchange of money. To top it all, Lucky is also chased by a corrupt cop (Aditya Pancholi). Will Lucky emerge victorious and how? The film is well-paced in the first half but there is a drop in the second bit. The dialogues used for mass appeal are crude. Koena Mitra has no inhibitions about flaunting her well-toned body. But it would help her to realize that this is not what acting is all about unless she wants to follow in Mallika Sherawat's footsteps. Her number 'Woh Sharabi Kya Sharabi' is very erotic but will someone please tell Sameera to relax while doing her dance numbers and instead throw the energy into her acting. Some of her numbers and movements look like a desperate attempt to woo the masses. Tinu Verma's action is brilliant. Aditya Pancholi is first-rate; his mean look goes well with his character. Anil Kapoor is a bit of a disappointment. His role does not do justice to an actor of his caliber. Watching his rugged look in the film reminds one of his memorable 'Munna' role in 'Tezaab'. This one pales miserably in comparison. The background score, like the songs, is very loud and jarring! The dialogues are crass. The climax is a major disappointment, a common trait in Sanjay Gupta films. It is almost like a musician's signature tune! The only saving grace of the film is P S Vinod's camerawork that gives the film a foreign look. Not to forget Sanjay Dutt who unfortunately has an extended guest appearance in the film. He is the 'paisa vasool' element in the film and the masses are sure to love him, as usual. 'Musafir' is clearly inspired or rather ripped off from Oliver Stone's U-Turn. But the Indian actors don't really come up to the level of their foreign counterparts in the original. The film tries to ooze style at the cost of substance. Looks like Sanjay Gupta will never get over his Hollywood hangover. But how we wish he made his films classy like his inspirational source. Just slick presentation does not work! It would do him good to remember that. One remembers Gupta, the director, cribbing in the past about how his producers didn't give him the required freedom while making his films. After having turned producer himself, one wonders why he is producing mindless, corny and disappointing stuff in the name of entertainment! A film is said to reflect the maker’s mindset. 'Musafir' deals with infidelity, incest, ill luck, mistrust, murder, deception, and the mafia. So what was the maker thinking of while making the film? 'Musafir' could best be described as a journey you wouldn't regret missing! Overall Rating: **   close   Print this Article http://www.bollyvista.com   http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/29/3817