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By Taran
Adarsh, February 8, 2008 - 12:09 IST
 We're experiencing a whole new world in cinema. Themes
that were considered abstract and offbeat are slowly
making inroads into Bollywood. These films are a
complete contrast to what we've been experiencing thus
far. You could actually mistake it for European cinema
in general and French cinema in particular. MITHYA,
directed by Rajat Kapoor, is one of those films.
Conceal the faces of the actors and you'd never
believe it's a Hindi film.
In this case, MITHYA, you can't draw parallels with
any film, past or present. That's because something
like this has never been attempted before. And that
happens to be the flip side as well, for MITHYA is not
everyone's cup of tea, everyone's idea of
entertainment. It caters to a niche audience, those
with an appetite for 'different' cinema. It's for the
discerning viewer that wants a change, who wants to
watch a new story unravel on celluloid.
Seen individually, MITHYA is an experience you cannot
forget easily. It leaves a solid impact, especially if
you're receptive to out of the box experiences.
VK [Ranvir Shorey] has come to Mumbai, chasing big
film dreams, like thousands of others. When fate makes
him a pawn in a master game plan of the underworld, he
unknowingly gets drawn into a whirlpool of events that
will determine his future. Then an unexpected accident
turns the tables for everybody involved.
 Now begins a chase that won't stop at anything. VK is
too deep into it now to step back. Unknowingly, he has
become an imposter, an imposter who wasn't.
On script level, a film like MITHYA has layers and
more layers and is indeed a complex theme to handle.
Not everyone can attempt it, since a theme like this
has to be handled very, very carefully, else it may
boomerang. That's where an expert storyteller like
Rajat Kapoor steps in.
You get instantly sucked into the struggler's world
and gradually forget that you're a viewer. You become
a bystander. You feel it's happening right there in
front of your eyes, experiencing everything firsthand.
The best part of the script [writers: Saurabh Shukla,
Rajat Kapoor] is that you cannot predict the next
moment. Its unpredictability is its USP. The film
moves about in a serpentine manner and as it reaches
its culmination, you're emphathizing with the
struggler, who started somewhere else and ended at an
altogether different destination. That's destiny,
isn't it?
But the best part is the concluding moments. The
culmination to Ranvir's character -- the way it has
been filmed -- leaves you stunned, speechless and of
course, sad! Its execution cannot be described in mere
words.
Director Rajat Kapoor takes a giant leap as a
storyteller. If you understand cinema or are
associated with it, you'd realize that MITHYA is more
of a director's film, than an actor's. Although it's
premature to talk at this juncture, but MITHYA should
feature prominently in the 'Bests of 2008' when the
year draws to a close. The writing too is topnotch.
Ditto for the camerawork, which gives the film a cold,
gloomy look.
 Lavish praises must be reserved for Ranvir Shorey, who
delivers an extra-ordinary performance in the central
role. You've known him as a funster, now watch him in
a role that you could never place him in. A brilliant
performance! Naseeruddin Shah, as always, is hugely
competent. Neha Dhupia is one of the most under-rated
actors around. Watch her in this film as she slips
into a role with such effortless ease. She deserves
better roles for sure. Iravati is fantastic. Saurabh
Shukla is first-rate. Harsh Chhaya excels. Vinay
Pathak is relegated to the backseat this time; he's
good. Brijendra Kala is excellent.
On the whole, MITHYA has the courage to tell one of
the most novel stories we've ever watched on
celluloid. Sure, it caters to the multiplex junta, but
honestly, some films are beyond box-office and should
just be lauded for the sheer strength of taking Hindi
cinema beyond the stereotype.
Wait, here's a grievance. The promos give an
impression that it's a comic fare. You may also
believe that it's a laugh-riot in view of the fact
that MITHYA comes from the BHEJA FRY team. It's not!
The promos are misleading and ought to reflect the
content to tap its potential.
Rating: * * * 1/2
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