The film revolves around John(John Abraham) an assasin who works for a mob boss named Captain(Bharat Dhabolkar).
On one mission, what seemed like an easy "hit" goes wrong and John ends up massacarring an entire innocent family including a little girl whose eyes continue to stare at him and haunt him as she dies...
Realisation hits John and he decides to leave the life of crime with his beautiful wife Shalini(Priyanka Chopra) and go far far away.
Captain is facing major threat from a rival don Yunuz(Vishwajeet Pradhan). Yunuz even attempts to kill Captain but fails and thats when Captain realises he must do something. Captain devises a plan where he wants the citys top industrialist, top film producer, commisioner of police and Yunuz himself all bumped off so no one ever dares to mess with Captain rule again.
In order to execute his plan Captain needs one man-John...the one man who can carry of this plan with utmost perfection...and the one man who has sworn never to pick up the gun again.
Captain kidnaps Johns wife and holds her hostage, in return John has 48 hours to kill 5 targets. What begins from this point on is a roller coaster ride of bullets, mayhem and carnage as John plans, kills, plots, double crosses and triple crosses anyone and everyone that gets in his path and the body count begins to grow....
A story about a reformed criminal who wants to stop his life of crime only to be drawn back for one last hit has been witnessed many a times before in Bollywood. Alsothe rivalry between underworld dons etc has been witnessed before-so what sets KARAM apart? The execution!
Story/Screenplay by Suparn Verma is just functional. One feels that a lot of sequences could have been penned a lot better and come across as confused as unwanted. The film starts off on very slow note capturing the mood and ambience of the film very well. The sequence where John kills the family accidentially has been written very well. Verma fails on 2 counts 1) To Induce something new into the story. The story has been witnessed time and time again and Verma fails to add a new touch to an old story. 2) The second half should have been penned a lot more tighter. The slow pace that was evident in the first half should have picked up in the second half when John goes out to do his 5 hits-but that doesn't happen. Also the 5 hits should have been written in a tight and exciting manner yet they appear ordinary and functional. Also the climax of the movie could've been chopped by 10 minutes as the movie starts dragging near the end-specially with the scene where Priyanka escapes from hospital.
As a director Sanjay.F.Gupta makes a good debut and shows that he has talent and is no doubt one of the FINEST cameramen we have in India at the moment. As a storyteller Gupta is let down by a shoddy story yet manages to retain the viewers interest for the most with his remarkable visuals and some thoroughly taut sequences. One just wishes he was able to keep the film moving at a tight knit pace throughout yet he falls prey to commercial conventions at times by having songs in the incorrect places, cliched scenes which have been witnessed before and some dull characters. I can see what Gupta was trying to do here---introduce the Hindi audience to the world of Japenses style blood soaked, gun ridden operatic violence ala KILL BILL, DESPERADOE etc but he only succeeds partially. He has the visuals, action sequences and casting of the lead pair correct but fails to get the story really MOVING and keep it consistent throughout.
Some scenes are etched in the viewers minds after the film finishes
*Opening credits with the cartoon sequence *The scene where John massacres a entire family * The scene where Priyankas finger gets cut off *The song TERA YEH KARAM which is just astounding with a mesmerising affect on the viewer
On the other hand there are scenes where the viewer feels completely let down including the murder of each of the people that John is meant to kill and the climax. I was expecting a kick ass samurai style sword fight here between John and Captain but ended up being a typical filmi fight with not much style.
Performance wise the film emerges a winner for the most as the lead pair deliver a brilliant account of themselves
John Abraham as the assassin who wants out from the life of killing is PERFECTLY cast and plays his part with utmost ease. His brooding looks, remorseful eyes, slick style makes him the ultimate action hero and John fits into his part like a glove. He clearly reminds one of Antonio Banderas in DESPERADOE at times with his style. Abraham manages to impress the viewer with a a restrained and controlled and he speaks volumes with his eyes and facial expressions. One can clearly see why Abraham has bagged all the big projects of late
Priyanka Chopra after a critically acclaimed performance in AITRAAZ proves that she is indeed a bundle of talent and not one film wonder. She plays the damsel in distress superbly and her emotional sequences hit the spot and are natural to the core. Her chemistry with John is sizzling as well.
Bharat Dhabolkar as Captain I found as the weakest link. His character didn't have the required impact that an over-the-top villan should and I felt someone like Danny would have been PERFECT for this role. Dhabolkars biggest is he isn't able to evoke any fear into the audience, his delivery is bland and the viewer has no connection with him at all which is one of the major faults in the movie. A film of this nature needs a villan who plays to the gallery!
Shiny Ahuja as the cop hot on Johns trail plays his part with conviction and leaves a impact.
Rest of the supporting cast play their roles as expected.
Musically Vishal-Shekar are great yet again althought he movie has to many songs. TINKA TINKA is hummable and well picturisied but the best song in the movie is TERA YEH KARAM which leaves an ASTOUNDING and MESMERISING affect on the viewer. The tepid visuals mixed with the rain and the pounding beats and lyrics elevates the movie to a new level.
The background music of the movie is also great.
Technically the film deserves a 9.5/10.0 in my view. Sanjay.F.Guptas camerawork is one of the most stylish pieces of work I have seen from Bollywood of late. Some may call it Hollywood inspired-I don't necessary see that as a bad thing. Each frame....each visual...is simply magnificent. Right from the colour scheme of the movie ranging from black and white to blue to colour Guptas camera work commands respect and attention throughout. The action scenes are choregraphed in a ballistic fashion which remind one of John Woos work.
Overall where does that leave KARAM? One would think I will say KARAM is a GREAT or EXCELENT film..but it's not! Its let down by its story and screenplay but one cannot deny that KARAM commands respect for its style even though its a case of style of substance. Whether you're a fan of the action genre, violence, John or Priyanka..give KARAM a dekkho once for its STYLE
Final Rating: * * * ½
