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PostPosted: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:25 pm 
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Footpath

By Taran Adarsh

Tips Films and Mukesh Bhatt's FOOTPATH, directed by Vikram Bhatt, falls in the same genre as PARINDA, SATYA, VAASTAV and COMPANY, but it lacks the hammer-strong impact of the earlier films.

FOOTPATH is the story of three friends -- Arjun [Aftab Shivdasani], Raghu [Emraan Hashmi] and Shekhar [Rahul Dev]. All three have been born and brought up in Mumbai.

The happiness is shortlived when Arjun's father is murdered. His friends avenge the father's death, after which Arjun is forced to flee Mumbai and take refuge in Delhi.

But the police succeed in tracing Arjun and force him into a mission that is full of betrayal against his childhood friends.

FOOTPATH bears a striking similarity to the Mahesh Bhatt-directed ANGAARAY [Akshay, Nagarjuna, Irfan Kamal], which itself was inspired by the Hollywood flick ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES [1938; starring James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Pat O'Brien].

Director Vikram Bhatt has opted for a genre that may not be original, but it does have its share of some well-penned and well-executed sequences. Also, the filming and setting are all dark, unlike the colourful world of Bollywood flicks.

But the film is not without its share of failings. The killings and the cat-n-mouse game between the law-breakers and the law-keepers gets repetitive after a point, making you wonder why the narrative couldn't have been more precise.

Also, viewers who are not too well versed with the functioning of the Mumbai underworld, may not find this adventure captivating enough to identify with. The terminology is very Mumbaiyya, the ambience and overall setting is again so Mumbai-centric that those in Bihar or Punjab or Andhra may find it difficult to equate with.

The film starts off pretty well and the pace is maintained right through the first half-an-hour, but it runs out of steam the moment the heroes start romancing the heroines.

From the script point of view, every time a good scene ends, a song pops up without a valid situation, which gives you an impression that the writer [Mahesh Bhatt] and the makers wanted to incorporate all possible ingredients to woo the cinegoer.

Of course, the film has its share of some good scenes [the bonding between Aftab and Emraan can be singled out!], but they're far too less to undo the harm done by the songs and the romantic track.

Director Vikram Bhatt has handled a few dramatic scenes with ease, with the finale being the best part of the enterprise. But he should've gone in for an out-and-out realistic fare instead of trying to strike a balance between realism and formula-ridden clichéd stuff. It would've only benefited the project had it been a songless film.

Writer Mahesh Bhatt has come up with a half-baked script. It drags in the second half and offers nothing new to the viewer. Girish Dhamija's dialogues are power-packed and also the saving grace to an extent. Aftab's outburst in the climax can easily be singled out.

Nadeem-Shravan's music is a sore point. Practically all the tunes sound the same. Pravin Bhatt's camerawork is flawless. Action scenes are as usual.

Aftab Shivdasani does well in a role that is not everyone's cup of tea. He is at his best towards the latter part of the film. Rahul Dev is effective enough.

Debutante Emraan Hashmi [he has been given the same look as Vivek Oberoi in COMPANY!] carries off the role without resorting to being loud. A complete natural, given the right roles, directors and films, the youngster can work wonders.

Bipasha Basu has nothing to do other than look pretty. The only scene where she scores is the one when she reveals to Aftab that she is pregnant. Newcomer Aparna Tilak is quite good.

Irfan Khan is excellent in a cameo. Anupama Verma and Arif Zakaria don't get much scope. Anup Soni is first-rate.

On the whole, FOOTPATH is a routine fare that may not find many takers. At the box-office, the film will face an uphill task in the form of strong oppositions and also due to lack of an aggressive promotion, resulting in no buzz for the film.

Rating:- * ½.


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PostPosted: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:42 pm 
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Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2001 5:53 pm
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Rediff:

What is Footpath all about?

Anita Bora | August 15, 2003 19:32 IST


From the house of Mahesh Bhatt, Footpath promises to be a racy film about pain, friendship, love and betrayal.

Promises, as we all know, are meant to be broken.

Buoyed by the success of Jism, Bhatt tries to weave a complex tale of three friends driven apart during childhood by a murder committed by one of them. It is a tale of lovers reunited. Of shady drug deals in Mumbai's alleyways. Of corrupt police officials and a few good ones. Of the good guy who wants to change his friends. It's all been done before. So if you are looking for a fresh new script from Bhatt, you might be a tad disappointed.



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The story itself revolves around three young friends, Rahul Srivastav (Emraan), his brother Shekhar Srivastav (Rahul Dev) and Arjun Singh (Aftab Shivdasani), whose father is murdered in front of him. Rahul avenges the death of his friend's father, sealing their bond of friendship forever. Arjun is forced to run away and take refuge in Delhi to escape the police, leaving behind his childhood love Sanjana (Bipasha Basu).

After 12 years, the police trace Arjun in Delhi. They strike a deal where Arjun can avoid being arrested (for supposedly committing a crime when he was about 10?). He has to get back to Mumbai and infiltrate a drug gang find their supply source.

This gang is run by none other than his own friends Shekhar and Rahul. If Arjun does not agree, they will both be killed in a police encounter, says the good cop. Bound by his desire to save his friends, Arjun decides to cooperate with the police.

The biggest loophole is the fact that Arjun did not kill his father's murderer. He was about 10-12 years old. Why is he still scared of the police? But since the whole movie is based on this premise, we swallow that and move along. Sanjana bursts into a fit of hysteria when Arjun comes back. She is hot and bothered because Arjun left her when they were both in their diapers! Bringing us to the conclusion that life really seems to begin at 10.

A few of the movie's redeeming points: The one man who makes an impact is Emraan. His character, Rahul, lives his life on the streets, working with his brother, supplying drugs for money. As the bullied younger brother, who grows more aware of what he is doing, it is Emraan who endears himself with his mannerisms and dialogue. In his debut role, he gives a commendable performance, holding his own opposite the more experienced Rahul Dev and Aftab Shivdasani. Also, in her debut role is Rashmi Talik as the English teacher, who Emraan's character develops a soft spot for.

Rahul Dev as the gang lord, walks around in long sleek jackets, drives a flashy car but lives in a dingy flat. But overall, a good performance from him as a cold blooded dealer, trying his best to survive in the world of crime, even if it is having to take his brother's life.

Aftab, who is basically torn between loyalty to his friends and the police, conveys his confusion and hurt reasonably well. While his intention is taking his friends out of a life of crime, he is only sucked deeper into its labyrinth.

Bipasha, on her part, is either extremely angry (heaving bosom and tears) or extremely in love (heaving bosom and tears again). If you're looking for a repeat of Jism, then you've been warned -- it ain't gonna happen here. She doesn't do much except get into angry fits. As to chemistry, there's actually more of that happening between Aftab and Emraan.

This relationship forms the crux of the film. Some scenes make an impact. When Aftab and Emraan find each other after 12 years. When Emraan confesses having a soft corner for Rashmi. Emraan confessing to his elder brother that he is tired of life in the low lane. When Emraan finds out that Aftab is actually working for the police.

But despite some reasonably good performances, the whole result lacks the gripping element that a film in this genre should have contained. The ingredients are all there. The chef seems to have missed a step. Unfortunately, the story wanders in the first half, trying to tell too many stories. And that is what becomes the undoing of the film.

The music composed by Nadeem Shravan and Himesh Reshammiya, have a few hummable numbers starting off with a fast Soorat Pe Teri Pyaar Aave. But the music stays at an average level and not rising to any great heights. Another noticeable point in the film are locations of the road and outdoor scenes (a film set). There seems to be little or no thought given to these locations - Shekhar's house, the police briefing room, Bipasha's house (a very wealthy salesgirl obviously), the road scenes. Some looked downright shoddy. While some locations are overused.

The blood and gore, the violence and sometimes profane dialogue is all well to depict life in the streets. But it all seems wasted in the end when some basic questions remain unanswered. The climax is difficult to understand. If Shekhar killed his brother, what would stop him from killing Arjun? Why does Arjun think he will suddenly turn into a new leaf? That wasn't bravery, that was stupidity! And what did Arjun actually achieve in the end after all this bloodshed and subterfuge?

The answer is definitely not in the footpath!

CREDITS
Cast: Aftab Shivdasani, Rahul Dev, Emraan, Bipasha Basu, Rashmi Talik
Director: Vikram Bhatt
Producer: Vishesh Films
Music: Nadeem Shravan, Himesh Reshammiya

***Wash out for VIKRAM BHATT, the CHOR!!


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