Mumbai Meri Jaan - Review

Cast: Paresh Rawal, Madhavan, Soha Ali Khan, Irfan Khan, Kay Kay Menon
Direction: Nishikant Kamat
Rating: ****

Mumbai Meri Jaan explores the emotions of ordinary people on the aftermath of July 7 bomb blasts in Mumbai which killed over 50 people commuting in the metro trains. The timing of the movie is perfect as people are still recovering from numerous blasts across the country in the past few months. The movie does not focus on terrorism or the terrorists but how commoners would behave in a traumatic situation.

The movie revolves around 5 characters. Madhavan an environment conscious employee of a MNC who prefers travelling by trains than a car, Soha Ali Khan a journalist from the electronic media, Irfan Khan a tea seller on the railway stations, Kay kay menon an unemployed youth and Paresh Rawal a police constable who is on the verge of retirement.

Madhavan is shaken when he narrowly escapes from being a blast victim. Soha ali khan is traumatised further when her own news channel tries to sensationalize her grief on TV. Irfan Khan takes revenge on citizens who humiliate him. Kay Kay menon feels he should turn an investigator chasing suspicious muslim youths. The police constable Paresh Rawal mentoring his junior associate to handle pressure.

The director brings on screen the emotional trauma all the characters go through in simple and realistic situations. There is no cliched scene or cinematic dialogues throughout the film.
The most memorable character is played by Paresh Rawal as a level headed constable. Be it reasoning with Kay Kay Menon or the emotional farewell speech on his last day, Paresh is at his best and strikes a chord.

The entire city without any religious or regional barrier mourn for the blast victims in bon hommie during the climax of the film. Its the spirit of Mumbai that ultimately prevails.
For director Nishikant Kamat of Dombivili Fast(Marathi) and Evano Oruvan(Tamil) fame its another feather in his cap. Reviewers in CNN IBN and NDTV have given only 2 or 3 stars probably because of the scenes that take a dig at them in the movie. I would give it 4 stars for the impeccable narrative style of the director. Dont miss this movie thinking its a serious one, its defintely worth the money