Clearly the most eagerly awaited film after Devdas (and also the most controversial), 'Kaante' moves on to newer pastures, keeping pace with Hollywood standards. In simple words, - 'a Bollywood movie with a Hollywood feel.'

With the star cast comprising of some biggies, the movie is slated to bail out the sagging morale of the industry. And it does achieve to an extent.

Revolving around a robbery, you get to see Amitabh Bachchan spearheading a second bank dacoit in recent times (on-screen, of course). And this is no 'sarkari' bank in a remote rural area with lathi-weilding guards, and the biggest resistance for the robbers, being the cops' malfunctioning 'desi' revolvers. But hey, this one involves a high-tech bank on foreign shores (Los Angeles).


The movie starts with a boom, exploring the petty criminal records of a bunch of Indians who are pulled up every now and then, for questioning by the police. Fed-up of constant harassment, they team up to teach the law-enforcers a lesson, by hatching a plan to rob the very bank, in which the cops have their accounts (Service American Bank, ..Just in case you wanted to know).

Well, there's Major (Amitabh Bachchan) in the lead, with gang members including 'The Bouncer' (Sunil Shetty), 'Ajju' (Sanjay Dutt), 'Andy' (Kumar Gaurav), 'Baali' (Mahesh Manjrekar) and 'Mak' (Lucky Ali).

Almost all have some genuine reason to commit the crime. Major, nursing a bed-ridden wife (Rati Agnihotri), 'The Bouncer' wanting to keep her girlfriend (Malaika) off performing in bars and Andy trying hard to save his marriage.

The plot, jotted down to the minutest detail, leaving barely any loopholes. And till the interval, the crime is already executed, without any hitches.

But…BUT… Barely had they left the bank, they face the police. And what follows if bloodshed. In the crossfire, one among the gang is injured, but all manage to escape to their hideout using different sources.

They now face a grim reality - "Who amongst them tipped the police?" The whole second half is spent in knowing the 'thorn' in the flesh, as the gang turns against each other in mistrust.

The director makes you think at times, thereby achieving what he set out to. But he should also shoulder the blame for making the film drag a lot in the second half.

The high points include a tight screenplay in the first half, and the brilliant camerawork, aided by the eye-catching dance numbers.

Of the cast, Amitabh Bachchan stands out (as usual). Sunil Shetty is competent, whereas Sanjay Dutt is simply menacing, playing the second-in-command to Bachchan. Lucky Ali is o.k. and Kumar Gaurav, as the computer-savvy hacker, displays a wooden self all along. And lastly, Mahesh Manjrekar has done a commendable job playing the 'good-for-nothing' type, with an eye for women. He is the sole comic relief in the otherwise serious action.

Just one more point… Everybody knows that there is an undercover cop who plays spoilsport. But take this - Everybody die towards the end. Except one. Guess who?.. Think again. He's not the cop. Then who?… Hey, a tricky one, right? (Self-service man, go watch it for yourself).

VERDICT: All in all, a good effort there, by the 'Kaante' team. Will someone follow suit?