Movie Review: Asambhav

Producer: Gulshan Rai
Director: Rajiv Rai
Starring: Arjun Rampal, Naseeruddin Shah, Priyanka Chopra, Mohan Agashe, Shawar Ali, Mukesh Rishi, Dippanita Sharma, Sharat Saxena, Tom Alter, Milind Gunaji, Arif Zakaria, Mumaut Khan.
Music: Viju Shah
Lyrics: Sameer

We have witnessed umpteen number of films that deal with Indo-Pak relations, Kashmir issue, ISI etc. and ASAMBHAV happens to be one among them. It deals with almost all issues pertaining to Pakistan and moreover, it also has some references to President Musharraf, Al Jazeera, the Americans, and the Afghanistan.

It is quite unfortunate that ASAMBHAV has come in a time when the relationship between the two neighboring countries is changing for better.

ASAMBHAV is set in Locarno [Switzerland]. Vir Pratap Singh [Dr. Mohan Agashe], the President of India, is visiting Locarno for a vacation with his daughter Kinjal [Dippanita Sharma], who studies in the U.S.

Mabros [Shawar Ali], an international terrorist, kidnaps the President and his daughter and keeps them hostage in an island-hotel. Actually the kidnap is planned and executed by ISI officials Ansari [Milind Gunaji], Gazi [Tej Sapru] and Hashmi [model Chetan Hansraj]. Another international terrorist group, Al-Hamas, led by Yuzan Baksh [Mukesh Rishi], is also involved in this kidnap.

The government of India entrusts the rescue operation to Captain Aadit Arya [Arjun Rampal]. The mission is called 'Mission Asambhav'.

In Locarno, Aadit meets Sam Hans [Naseeruddin Shah] and Brian [Tom Alter], who are associated with Ansari. Ansari's group is actively involved in drug trafficking and the drugs are brought to the country through a pop singer Alisha [Priyanka Chopra].

Arya acts as a journalist to investigate the matter. His investigation reveals him that someone in the Indian embassy in Switzerland is also involved in this conspiracy.

The rest of the story revolves around how Arya gets closer to the truth and rescue the President and his daughter.

Despite an exciting beginning - the initial scenes would keep you on edge - the film looses its grip as the movie goes on. The culprit is the script that lacks focus.

Following the brisk start, the film proceeds like a racing car. However the inclusion of too many characters has spoiled the film as the screenplay tries to do justification to a lot of characters and as a result looses its focus.

Instead of concentrating on Arjun Rampal's mission, the script introduces Priyanka Chopra, Naseeruddin Shah, Tom Alter and so on. The characters and the sup plots take toll on the focus and intensity of the film. Had Rajiv and Naeem, (scriptwriters) stick to straightforward narration ASAMBHAV could have come out as an engaging thriller dealing with espionage.

Director Rajiv Rai has disappointed his audience with a poor show. The film doesn't match any of his earlier films.

Viju Sha's music doesn't strike the right chord. Cinematography [Sukumar Jatania] has captured the beauty of the locales of Locarno spectacularly. Dialogues [Naeem Sha] are not worth mentioning.

Naseeruddin Shah steals the show among a horde of artists. He handles his role with amazing ease. Arjun Rampal gets minimal scope and hence remains ineffective. Priyanka Chopra does nothing more than adding glamour. Sharat Saxena, Mukesh Rishi and Tom Alter among others are okay.

ASAMBHAV is one of the finest products in terms of look and feel but the weak content and disoriented script make it a poor show. It is once again proved that substance is always important that the appearance.