[Movie Review] Talaash: Nothing Is What It Seems Like

Cast: Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor

Director:  Reema Kagti

Writer: Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap

Talaash is a poignant study of human pains when confronted with a loss. It contains an undercurrent of sentimental plots flowing betwixt its dexterous layers of suspense. To state a point, it is a nothing short of a triumph in mood setting and a silver lining for atmosphere driven cinema. But, the gloomy side of this coin is that it never reaches the heights its wings are capable of.

To sum the story without any spoilers, it is a salad of a distressed cop, a peculiar high profile murder mystery transpiring under inexplicable circumstances and coping with a monumental loss with a topping of glamour and suspense. If this seems less, we have an extra-marital affair and child issues to keep our plates full.


The spellbinding take on the murder, the livelihood of small thugs and some supernatural element peppered, makes it one dish to relish! Right from the wicked underbelly of Mumbai highlighted by the obscure neon lights to the tense screenplay, Reema Kagti, the director, creates an atmosphere which is hard to shake off. The movie starts slowly, but by the time you are munching away your corns, it had sunk its teeth deep inside your skin; then comes the second half with its incessant chills and beautiful imagery to blow you off the hook. 

But Alas! The party is short lived as the suspense is hampered by a hogwash climax which indulges in stereotyped spoon feeding of the events to the audience. The problem also lies in the sluggishness of the movie which borders on the brink of numbness. Yes, such a pace is needed to set the atmosphere right, but keeping a balance between the silence and the tight writing is mandatory to pull off a riveting thriller.

Apart from the skies and waters of Talaash, it is the charismatic acting of Aamir Khan that keeps the reel in taut position. His intensity of gaze and the plain black emotions upon his face are enough to relate with anybody upon which a tragedy had been incurred. He simply walks, frame by frame, chipping in a perfect combination of elegance and sentiments entwined by simplicity of a common man. Kareena Kapoor shines admirably in her glamorous role while Rani Mukerji, sans makeup, gives us a brilliant performance of a wretched wife in a distorted marriage.


Talaash is not everybody’s cup of tea, but those who savor a cerebral, intellectual ride should not skip it. Recommended!


Rating: 3.5 / 5

(first published in www.udaipurtimes.com | http://www.udaipurtimes.com/movie-review-talaash-nothing-is-what-it-seems-like/ )