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'Strangers' - An engrossing thriller

By Nikhil Kumar
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

Inspiration from a Hollywood classic apart, director Aanand Rai’s film ‘Strangers’ is a fairly engrossing thriller with a riveting denouement.

Only in parts does the film remind of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Strangers On A Train’. Mostly, Rai’s film chugs on a slightly different track and has a thrilling departure from the original after the two strangers in the story decide to become stranglers.

The

movie follows a non-linear narrative approach – its story flits back and forth. In the very beginning the film catches you off-guard with the arrest of one of the protagonists for murder. From there on the story is developed at different reference points and the dots are connected in the last 30 minutes of this thriller.

Two strangers share their life-stories while traveling together on a train in England.

Sanjiv Rai ( Kay Kay Menon ) is a businessman and a frustrated husband who feels tethered to a depressed wife ( Sonali Kulkarni ) who keeps ruminating over the death of their only son. Rahul ( Jimmy Shergill ) is a failed writer whose marriage with his gorgeous wife ( Nandana Sen ) is on the rocks over the issue of having a baby.

Both the men are harried and tired of their wives and want to get rid of them. That is when one of them tosses an idea: they should kill each other’s wives. In this way the finger of suspicion would not point at them.

What follows from then on makes for an interesting watch.

Director Aanand Rai deserves credit for maintaining a tight grip over the movie’s pace and direction. ‘Strangers’ has a very Hollywoodish look, and a lion’s share of credit for this should go to the cinematographer (Manoj Gupta) and the editor (Sanjay Sankla).

Another good thing about the film is that its story is told in such a way that your interest does not wane throughout the film’s running time. The most gripping, rather riveting, are the last 30 minutes. The finale leaves you with your jaw dropped in surprise.

‘Strangers’ features good performances from its starcast. Kay Kay Menon, dependable as ever, brings about an interesting mix of suave and sinister in his character. Jimmy Shergill holds his place with flamboyance and maturity, playing a troubled and suspicious husband.

Nandana Sen looks gorgeous in a role that doesn’t put huge demands on her acting skills. Sonali Kulkarni has a small role but still she leaves an impression with her simmering intensity.

‘Strangers’ is one of those less-publicized films that catch you by surprise. In all likelihood, box-office will find few takers for this film. But if you are a lover of thrillers, you will enjoy the time and money spent on ‘Strangers’. Just don’t go expecting the moon.

Rating: **1/2

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