The movie revolves around an master con artist Karan(Ajay Devgan) who’s also referred to as “Doc” simply because it sounds cool and he’s the “doctor of crime”(if that makes any sense). Karan hires a set of top-notch robbers who all have their own weaknesses and strengths, Lucky (Ritiesh Deshmukh), Danny (Zayed Khan), Aditi (Dia Mirza) and Pooja (Esha Deol) to steal some very expensive diamonds in South Africa. Then group is up against a ruthless underworld don Angad (Suniel Shetty) who is after the same set of diamonds. Lastly there is Shania (a gorgeous Shamita Shetty) who is the head of security and also happens to be Karan’s girlfriend though she has no idea about his alternative lifestyle as she believes he’s a writer. So who gets the diamonds in the end (one wonders why the movie is called cash)? No twists or surprises there either.
Yash-Vinay’s story is a confused and convoluted mess. Before watching the movie I had adjusted my expectations based on what others had said, and instead of expecting a high-octane action-thriller I was happy to settle for a comic-laced crime caper with a few dazzling action pieces scattered throughout, however even in that respect the movie falls flat. The movie starts out in a confusing manner and one can tell that major portions of the movie have been snipped at the editing table. The introductions of the characters are done fine, and the pace gets rolling, only to come to a halt and not move any further. The rest of the movie stagnates in between some supposedly comic exchanges between the characters and rather over-the-top action sequenced forced in between. The screenplay is non existent after a point and leaves the viewer bored completely. The unfolding of crucial parts of the movie have been unfolded in a lazy manner. The few twists and turns there are so simply pathetic as they’re hardly a surprise.
As a director Anubhav Sinha must’ve been sleeping or not there and the movie was directed by his “chaiwala”. Stunning locales, a big cast etc doesn’t work unless the director manages to put all these ingredients together in right amounts to churn out an entertaining time-pass ride, and Sinha isn’t able to do that here. I love con films like the OCEANS series, THE SCORE etc, however Sinha forgets the key element to a movie like this is the cast and their chemistry, movies like these rely on the interludes, dialogue-baazi and chemistry between the cast and Sinha extracts some extremely dull performances from very sketchily characters. Technically the movie is slick, no doubt about that. The fast-cut editing and some very snazzy animation is all fine, but where is the content? This is truly a case of too much style with no substance at all what-so-ever. I would give Mr. Sinha the same advice I gave Mr. Varma recently…time for a serious re-think as this is just pure crap.
The movie had a pretty solid cast, and they too fail to deliver.
Ajay Devgan sleeps through his role. Granted there are a few scattered moments where he hits the right notes with some effortless comic sequences and dialogues, though overall he seems bored and extremely wooden at times. No doubt he looks smashing, and his funky looks brighten things up, but they certainly don’t make up for the lack of a dull character and uninspired performance.
Ritiesh Deshmukh is effective, though one just wishes that he was used better here. The Maharashtrian boy-wonder has been going from strength to strength and multi-starrer comedies like these are no doubt his forte, but here he the movie doesn’t do him justice. His get-up and style is fabulous, and he exudes a rather amiable presence and aura.
Zayed Khan is terrible. Absolutely terrible, and alongside Uday Chopra I urge Zayed Khan to gracefully leave Bollywood. He was barely tolerable in DUS, but that was because he played a complete contrast to Abhishek in the movie and managed to raise a few laughs. Here Sinha tries the same approach by showing a rivalry between him and Ritiesh (as well as chucking in a rather dull love triangle of sorts) but Zayeds monotone delivery, wooden facials and lack of interest dampens proceedings to a large extent as he hams to the hilt.
Esha Deol has nothing to do here, and one can see why she has gone on record to say she regrets doing this movie. I don’t agree with the notion that she wasn’t “aware” of what the movie had to offer her before hand, however she has less to do here than she did in films like DHOOM and DUS. Ouch! However she does looks very sexy and seems to have forgotten to take most of her wardrobe to South Africa;)
Shamita Shetty is the best thing about the movie. I kid you not! The girl gives a very sassy, confidence and admirable portrayal in a rather insipid character. She has great presence, and held her own against Devgan quiet well in their interludes.
Diya Mirza is just horrible here, though again like the other 2 girls she looks fabulous.
Lastly Suniel Shetty, I don’t mind Suniel in multi-starrers be it films like AWAARA PAAGAL DEEWANA or the likes of KAANTE and SHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALA. But here he is just plain irritating. His character ends up being the main villain in the end, but again this is just such a poorly etched character you don’t care.
Ayesha Takia is her usual self in rather strange “special appearance”.
Technically the movie is top-notch. Ravi Walia’s camerawork is very very slick, often mesmerising as he captures the stunning locales of South Africa with élan. Editor Amarjeet Singh has done a splendid job too. The action sequences by Anthony Stone are akin to Hollywood and executed well on such a large scale, though with the basis of no story these really leave no impact. Also they appear to be so “staged” that they come across somewhat artificial.
I feel sorry for Vishal-Shekhar. They tend to choose some pretty bad movies ( SEE YOU) and CASH is no different, though their music here is pretty good as well as some eye-catching picturisations, the songs don’t do much else. My pick of the lot is the title track which is extremely infectious.
The best way to describe CASH would be to call it a “poor mans DHOOM 2”. I have a high tolerance for crap movies, however bardaasht ki bhi hudd hoti hai….
Final Rating: ½
