Review

JOSH
Compelling performances,
engrossing treatment
DIRECTOR Mansoor Khan seems to have regained his lost touch, last seen in films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Joh Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, with his latest thriller, Venus Records and Tapes’ Josh. It’s a film which moves entirely on the performances of Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai. Though the film cannot boast of a strong storyline, the performance and the slick screenplay prove to be the saving grace. The director appears to be in full control of the film in the first half, but in the latter half, it appears to drag towards the end. Despite these drawbacks, the ability to narrate a wafer-thin storyline with conviction does emphatically prove what a good director Mansoor Khan is. It’s purely the treatment and the narrative technique that keep the audience engrossed in the plot.

The story revolves around siblings Max (Shah Rukh Khan) and Shirley (Aishwarya Rai) representing the Eagles gang in war against Prakash (Sharad Kapoor) and his gang of Bichhos. They have their own demarcated areas and there is confrontations throughout the film for straying into each others turf. Enter Rahul (Chandrachur Singh) with a catering degree from Mumbai. The cool-headed Rahul doesn’t like his brother’s penchant for unlawful business. He tries to reform him but with little success.

Rahul falls in love with Shirley and their love blossoms. Brother Max disapproves of this alliance and he bashes Rahul, too. In the meantime, Rahul accidentally gets to know about the antecedents of Max and Shirley’s parents. The film take a new twist from here. Prakash hatch a plan to eliminate Max in a bid to get his prime property of Vasco. But he is shot dead accidentally by Max in self defence. Max is sentenced and how Rahul and Shirley prove Max’s innocence forms the climax.
Performances by Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai tower above all others in the film. They are one of the major highlights of the film. Shah Rukh doesn’t have too many romantic scenes, but his action and konkani dialogue, more than suffice. Aishwarya essays the role of chirpy Goan girl with remarkable conviction and ease. It’s a major role for Sharad Kapoor and he doesn’t disappoint. Chandrachur Singh has major romantic interludes with Aishwarya and he appears quite at ease. Sadly though, Priya Gill is wasted and despite being Shah Rukh’s lady love, has very few scenes with him. Sharat Saxena excels in the cameo role of a police officer.

Production values are excellent and the set depicting Vasco town has been created with great imagination. Anu Malik’s music gels well with the film and is a major boost to its chances at the b-o. Cinematography by KV Anand needs special mention as his shot compositions speak for itself.

Padmaraj Nair