Rustom : Movie Review

The makers claim that it is inspired by true incidents, the 1959 case involving Naval officer KM Nanavati shooting his wife's paramour. However, this proves as a mere reference point as the story takes off on another course.

Rustom Pavri (Akshay Kumar) returns home earlier than expected only to find his wife, Cynthia (Ileana) away with her lover, Vikram (Arjan). Seething in anger, he decides to kill him. The deed done, he surrenders himself to the cops. Then begins the saga to prove he is innocent. Vipul K Rawal's narrative focuses more on his professional life and the legal wrangles involved. Though the reason for the crime was an extramarital affair, it is relegated to flashbacks, with the emphasis on how a decorated Naval officer wants to safeguard the interests of the nation.

Rustom, or Rusi as his wife refers to him, is shown as Parsi, but there is no Parsi touch to his character. The only time when you feel it is when newspaper editor Erach (Kumud Mishra for comic relief), who is sniffing for that sensational angle in Rustom's case. At one point, he exclaims 'ghelsappa'. Now only a true blue Parsi would know what it means: crazy. Moreover, there is no reference to Bombay of that era as the story unfolds mostly in the court room.

Akshay is yet again at his peak, choosing a film that gives him enormous scope to perform. Ileana's pink cheeks are on display throughout the film (make-up highlights or natural?) apart from that perpetual tear on her eyelashes. Arjan Bajwa is back on scene after a hiatus as the flamboyant lover. He will be looking at this film to put his career back on track. Esha goes overboard wih her cleavage show. With some tight editing, especially in the second half when the court scenes become a drag, it would have made for a more riveting watch. A great deal of attention has been paid to the detailing and production values, and that's commendable, and so is the direction.

Its a must watch movie.