"Earn money the hard way. Steal it" rings the tagline to Anubhav Sinha's Cash, but he's going to have to work much harder than this to get his hands on the audience's hard-earned money. Sadly, the visually rich opening (complete with Pulp Fiction-esque title track) doesn't lead to much, as this action-packed multi-starrer unfolds. Set in South Africa, the story is so complex that Danny (Zayed Khan) is forced to narrate what's happening to Rhia (Ayesha Takia), but to paraphrase "even after explaining it all, you still don't understand".
Karan (Ajay Devgan) enlists the services of Danny (Zayed Khan), Lucky (Ritesh Deshmukh) and Pooja (Esha Deol) to steal a set of historic diamonds. Angad (Suneil Shetty) is after the same diamonds, along with his loyal girlfriend and accomplice, Aditi (Dia Mirza). Meanwhile, Karan's girlfriend, Shania (Shamita Shetty) has the unenviable task of guarding this much sought-after booty for the government. And so begins an elaborate but ultimately mind-numbing story. Luckily, the lack of plausibility raises such questions as: how can a boat still remain afloat after having a hole cut in it from underneath? And whatever happens to the painting that's stolen in one of the film's many action-packed sequences.
"SHORT-CHANGED ON STORY"
A large cast list, jaw-dropping stunts and animated gimmicks haven't helped this film at all, whereas investing in a better screenplay could have made Cash a sure-fire money spinner. Deshmukh is very watchable as chancer Lucky, and it is left to him and Mirza to provide the film's only note-worthy characters. Devgan is unconvincing and Deol is simply lost. Although visually striking, Cash gives value for money on stunts but will leave you short-changed on story.
Cash is out in the UK on 3rd August 2007.
...India FM...
Okay, Anubhav Sinha unleashes his heist saga today -- CASH. Come to think of it, CASH is very similar to DUS. A plethora of stars, stunning locales/visuals, an energetic musical score and stylized action. CASH goes a step further -- it has animation too!Sinha has mastered the craft and garnishes CASH well, but as you begin to savor the taste, you realize that the recipe isn't perfect. Perhaps, writers Yash-Vinay had the right intentions of making a chor-sipahi kahani, but the writing is just not convincing. Where does the problem lie? Not with Anubhav Sinha, for the director is, without doubt, one of the most stylish narrators in Bollywood. The choice of subject is also right, but the writing lacks the meat to mesmerize the viewer. Clearly, the screenplay is the villain here!
Write your own movie review of CashTo sum up, you expect a sangam of style and substance in CASH, but what you eventually get is style, style and only style! CASH is a thriller set in Cape Town, South Africa. The film revolves around an ace con artist [Ajay Devgan], who hires a set of topnotch robbers [Esha Deol, Zayed Khan, Dia Mirza and Ritesh Deshmukh] to steal a set of priceless diamonds in South Africa. The group also faces a threat from underworld don [Suniel Shetty], who is after the same diamonds and also the Head of Security [Shamita Shetty]. How these three groups manage to thwart each other forms the rest of the story. CASH bears an uncanny resemblance to some films. The concept of a guy hiring professionals to execute a plan brings back memories of SHOLAY. There's an uncanny resemblance with DHOOM 2 as far as the stylish stunts are concerned. Also, a number of individuals wanting to lay their hands on the priceless diamonds take you to SHALIMAR. It's not blasphemous to be inspired by any film, past or present, but what the writers ought to know by now is that there has to be a riveting story at the end of the day. What you take back as a viewer is only style. The writing is unenergetic in the first hour, but the second hour, you've to admit, is far more absorbing. The marked currency notes and also the chase by the cops [Ritesh, Esha, with Zayed atop the speeding car] are pulse-pounding. Director Anubhav Sinha does make a 'good looking film', but the writing curtails it from being called an engrossing saga. If Sinha deserves brownie points for making a visually enticing movie, all you want to remind him is that the viewer wants to listen to an absorbing story at the end of the day. As the captain of the ship, he should've ensured that Yash-Vinay gave him a smart screenplay that compliments his skills. Anthony Stone's stunts are topnotch. A never-seen-before experience on the Hindi screen. Vishal-Shekhar's music is trendy and the visuals and choreography supporting the tracks make you exclaim 'Wow'. Ravi Walia's cinematography is mesmeric. The film bears a striking look all through. Dialogues are well-worded at times. Ajay Devgan is not in form this time around. He looks unenergetic… something is missing! Suniel Shetty gets to play a role he has visited a few times in the past. Zayed Khan is strictly okay. The real scene stealer is Ritesh Deshmukh. Very confident and easy-going, he's sure to walk away with ceetees and taalis. Shamita Shetty stands out. Esha suffers due to sketchy characterization. Also, her make-up makes her face look hard. Dia is far more appealing and enacts her part well. Ayesha Takia adds to the star-value. On the whole, CASH has style, but rests on a thin plot and that is its biggest flaw. At the box-office, the film might attract the audience in its initial weekend, but a weak script will throw a spanner.
Other Anubhav Sinha's Movies
Cash (Known Sequel to DUS, 2007)
Tathastu (2006)
Dus (2005)
Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai (2003)
Tum Bin (2001)
Anubhav Sinha's Genre index in Directing, Writing & Producing-
3 Drama
3 Romance
2 Action
2 Family
2 Musical
2 Thriller
1 Comedy
1 Crime
1 Documentary
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