Talaash

Aamir Khan's 

Talaash - The Answer Lies Within

Review By Lt Col D Purushothaman Pillay (Retd)

Is a well crafted story of a guilt ridden cop's journey to redemption in the course of investigating a complicated murder mystery.
Noir-like Talaash, set in the crime-ridden underbelly of Mumbai, is certainly not the ultimate whodunit. Yet it is a compelling, well-performed tale that is multi-layered in its construct. On the primary level it is about the central protagonist battling grief and personal tragedy, yet on another level it is an engaging study of human relationships tested on the belief in the paranormal. Whispered gossip has it that this film has some similarities with an American crime thriller "Act of Providence", a novella written by Joseph Payne Brennan and Donald M Grant in 1975, with the story set in Rhode Island. Infact both the respective protagonists are investigators battling grave personal crisis at the time of investigating a crime involving a water body.
The mustachioed brooding Aamir with a permanent furrowed brow on a troubled face represses his emotions rather remarkably. It is rumoured his character draws heavily from Leonardo DiCaprio's Teddy Daniels of Scorsese's "Shutter Island", though that should not take away from his remarkable essay. The scene towards the end when he has an angst-releasing breakdown; by the lakeside, on reading the note purported to be from his son exonerating him from any guilt was brilliant, it is worth going miles to see that one scene.
Rani as the troubled wife and Kareena as the hooker deliver admirable performances. But then, Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the limping brothel-flunkey Taimur is absolutely terrific.
Mohanan's cinematography leaves one raptly engrossed and one can barely blink lest one should miss what is on screen.
Ram Sampath's ambivalent soundtrack with is multi-themed zesty renditions gets one seduced to its intense techno beat compositions drawing heavily on electronic sounds for its layering of moods. Javed Akhtar's lyrics are as good as it always was. Further, Kagti's unique hold on her craft ensures every song in the drama is perfect where it is placed, and serves to carry the suspense forward.

The Zoya-Reema team has served up yet another delectable fare, and it confirms this twosome as a formidable storytelling talent which would continue to engage and entertain us for a long time to come
You can’t miss this one. I quite liked it. Go for it!