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By Taran
Adarsh, May 30, 2008 - 12:00 IST
 Hindi
cinema is slowly waking up to hardcore thrillers.
Earlier this year, Abbas-Mustan's RACE chartered a
totally novel path. The twists-n-turns in the plot
moved in a serpentine manner, with the viewer finding
it difficult to guess what the outcome would be.
WOODSTOCK VILLA, directed by Hansal Mehta, also leaves
the viewer guessing what's in store next. The twists
in this 12 reeler may not catch you by complete
surprise, but have ample shock value at times.
WOODSTOCK VILLA is treated more like a Hollywood
flick. The plotline, the sequence of events, the
execution of the subject, the hand-held/jerky camera
movements, the grainy look -- this is no
been-there-seen-that kind of a movie experience [at
least for Indian audiences]. But a film molded on the
lines of an English film should start and end without
any diversion. In this case, the obstacles are the
songs. Frankly, WOODSTOCK VILLA would've made a
stronger impact had it been a songless fare, since the
songs are like unwanted guests.
Overall, a decent fare that appeals more to those with
an appetite for hardcore thrillers.
A successful businessman's [Arbaaz Khan] wife [Neha
Uberoi] disappears one night. She has been kidnapped.
The captor [Sikandar] demands a heavy ransom, but
things go wrong as the wife is murdered. The captor
buries the body at a secluded spot. But the mystery
only deepens.
Director Hansal Mehta is in form after a long time [CHHAL
ranks as his finest work so far]. The USP of the film
is its plotline, which grabs your attention from the
very outset. A few situations may seem predictable,
but a number of scenes do catch you unaware.
But, as mentioned earlier, every time something
dramatic is about to occur or occurs, a new song pops
up from nowhere and the story comes to a grinding
halt. On one hand, the makers have had the courage to
choose an offbeat theme, but why contradict oneself by
bowing to market dictates? Were the songs really
required?
From the writing point of view, the climax should've
been stronger. There had to be a scene or two that
justified Neha's volte-face towards the end. Also, the
climax could've been more forceful. Somehow, you can
guess what the culmination would be!
Hansal Mehta has treated the subject well. He seems to
be almost there this time. The screenplay [Sanjay
Gupta, Rajiv Gopal and S. Farhan] have no glaring
flaws as such. Milap Zaveri's dialogues have punch at
places. Vikash Nowlakha's cinematography is topnotch.
Amar Mohile's background score is outstanding.
 Sikandar
makes an excellent debut. WOODSTOCK VILLA is no
song-n-dance routine and demands a powerful actor who
could carry off this complex role. Sikandar is an
actor to watch! Sure, he has screen presence, but
those who watch the film will applaud his performance
before they notice his looks.
Neha Uberoi is another talented actor. Oh yes, she
looks alluring, but beneath that attractive face lies
a gifted actor. Another newcomer with potential!
Arbaaz Khan is alright. Sachin Khedekar and
Dayashanker Pandey are wasted. Shakti Kapoor is
passable.
On the whole, WOODSTOCK VILLA has decent merits and
holds appeal for those with an appetite for hardcore
thrillers. But its release has coincided with the
climax of the IPL matches and that would really hit
the business of this film hard.
Rating * *
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