'Dum Maro Dum' Review: Drugs, Desires & Death…

Rating: 3/5
Banners: Ramesh Sippy Entertainment, Fox Star Studios
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Aditya Pancholi, Bipasha Basu, Rana Daggubati
Music: Pritam Chakraborty
Cinematography: Amit Roy
Director: Rohan Sippy
Producer: Ramesh Sippy
Release Date: April 22, 2011

While Abhishek Bachchan is taking his litmus test owing to his string of flops, it is also the debut of our Daggubati Rana in Bollywood. Let us see how much ‘Dum’ the film has got

Story:
Set on the backdrop of Goa, the story is about how drugs have taken over the paradise city and the increased presence of drug mafia.

Here comes ACP Vishnu Kamath (Abhishek) who decides to clean up the place. On the other hand, there is the social celebrity Lorsa Biscuita (Aditya Pancholi) who in the garb of social service runs a big drug cartel.

Caught in between the clash of Vishnu and Biscuit is DJ Joki (Rana) whose girlfriend Zoe (Bipasha) now stays with Biscuit, Lorie (Prateik) who aspires to go abroad and study but gets caught taking drugs. The search is on for one Michael Barbossa, the kingpin of this drug ring. Who is Michael Barbossa? What happens to everyone’s life forms the rest of the story.

Performances:
Abhishek Bachchan has come up with a strict performance and though there are those blank expressions, he makes his presence felt.

Daggubati Rana can be called the hero of the film. His screen time is longer than Abhishek, he has a significant role in the entire story and he gets to have the hot Bipasha. Performance wise, his stiff expressions still carry. He is yet to get that versatility of expressions on his face. Otherwise, his screen presence is good. He is worth getting another chance on Bollywood screen. 

Bipasha Basu is seductive as usual and she does her bit as required.

Aditya Pancholi was handsome as usual and though his presence as the baddie doesn’t give that impact, he has given a sincere performance.

Prateik Babbar was apt, Govind Namdeo was great, Gantois Gomes was neat, Anaitha Nair was sweet. Deepika Padukone’s item song was not up to the hype. Vidya Balan’s cameo was brief but graceful.

Highlights:

• Cinematography
• Dialogues
• First half
• Scene compositions

Drawbacks:

• Dragged second half
• Deepika’s item song was dull
• No impacting scenes
• No character has significance

Analysis:
The basic plot of the film reminds us of the exceptional thriller ‘Usual Suspects’. However, the makers were clever in switching the characters here and there, changing the script with additional characters.

On the good side, the film was stylish, glossy and attempts to give some reality bites of Goa. On the flip side, the film passes off without any gripping moments or sequences that can strike a chord with the hearts of the audience.

Editing was much needed during the second half and if the film was trimmed there, it would have created good impact. But still, the attempt was novel, the essence was appreciable, the presentation was effective. At the box office, this will appeal to the multiplex audience so if word of mouth publicity goes strong, it can reach profit zone.

Bottomline: Watchable but will not give you the ‘High’!!!