No hit so far in the New Year. Though, 'Page 3' is doing good business in metros, and exhibitors have added more prints for cinema halls, this does not qualify for a hit, as it has not met with the same results in interiors. The setting was perfect and people were ready for something exciting, hot and thrilling. It is where 'Blackmail' strikes at box office with Ajay Devgan returning with his brother Anil Devgan as a director after a long break from 'Raju Chacha'.
'Blackmail' also sees a reunion of two action heroes -- Ajay Devgan and Suniel Shetty after more than a decade. Last year, it was 'Dhoom' that clicked because of its fast pace, sharp editing and great music. Anil Devgan tries to repeat the genre in 'Blackmail'. He takes a great cast. Priyanka Chopra is there to bring in lot of oomph and the story of Chor-Police does have some brilliant action sequences. The competitor in 'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav' was weak. Though, both the films have Suniel Shetty as a common factor, their settings are poles apart.
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'Blackmail' is set in today's world where thieves are smarter than the police. So we have a smart hunk in Shekhar (Ajay Devgan) who is so brilliant in racing four wheelers that his speed makes people envy of him. But, instead of trying to make a name for himself in the rally world, he gets attracted to the bad world. He helps criminals run away from jail. Pitted against him by chance is ACP Rathod (Suniel Shetty) who is not too active. He has a sweet wife (Priyanka Chopra) and a smart son (Parth Dave).
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The life is cool but unless Shekhar strikes back. It was Rathod who was responsible for untimely death of Shekhar's love. Shekhar is loving lad of the dons and one of them (Mukesh Rishi) now wants him to take on with Rathod and teach him a lesson. Shekhar's memories are fast-forwarded and when the duo locks the horns. The battle between the good and the evil is not only limited to settling scores with each other, but it involves family members too. When a police officer has a beautiful and gorgeous wife, problems do come in many ways.
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'Blackmail' is heavily inspired from many Hollywood films not to name just one; and that too from shots to transition points to story line. Every aspect of the film relies heavily on Hollywood flicks. If points were to be awarded for inspiration, Anil Devgan must have won the trophy. But, viewers are too smart these days. Hence sorry, Ajay and Anil. The film has an excellent start but soon gets bumpy, as no one knows where they are heading. Anil Devgan has immense possibilities to make a slick director. He has amazing sense of camera movement and shot taking. His efforts show things materializing right from the word go in the film. However, in the middle comes a halt. The film comes to a standstill and the story seems to have stopped. Songs after songs come pouring and the viewers find it very difficult to keep their patience intact. These songs don't add any value on the screen.
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One person who can benefit from this film is Ajay Devgan. He has emerged victorious once again in a negative role, and this indeed required a lot of maturity to do this kind of role. The scenes where Ajay loses his love (Dia Mirza) is a winner. Had there been more such emotional sequences in the film with right dose and blending of the action, it would have been a sure hit. The film has excellent garnishment but the main ingredients are lacking. The backbone is weak. The film falls flat just before the interval.
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Suniel Shetty looks older to do these kinds of roles; a new comer like John Abraham or Dino Moreo would have been a more appropriate choice. Parth Dave is a revelation and this is probably for the first time that Dia gets her work noticed though in a short role lengthwise. And, yes there is Priyanka Chopra too, but not for a "I wanna make love to you…." number this time. She is just a loving and caring wife here. Her talent (the oomph factor) is missing and that will make her many fans disappointed. The overall rating is just about an average film, and may not fetch much money for its makers. Sad, though!
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