Now, this is the kind of film I'm sure many people like, and for a reason. Based on Keigo Higashino's novel The Devotion of Suspect X, it is directed by none other than Sujoy Ghosh, a man who sure knows his stuff, especially when it comes to directing mystery films of this sort. The story is well adapted into an Indian setting, and the choice of Kalimpong is very refreshing, providing a nice insight into the local influence of Nepali culture. Technically the film is excellent. The cinematography is very dark and dim, contributing to the atmosphere the director seeks to create. Jaane Jaan benefits from a tight script and solid pacing, and its twists and turns help the narrative. It first gave me some Drishyam (2015) vibes, as it seemed to have a similar plotline of two women dealing with a man intruding their lives and then finding a way to clamber out of the situation with the help of a sophisticated, strategic man who calculates every step and is always a few moves ahead. Sadly, towards the end, it did start to strain credulity, and considering the unusual premise of the story, I wished for an alternative, more satisfying conclusion than the one we ended up getting, which had no justification whatsoever.
Still, the film remained a captivating and engaging watch through and through, enough to make an impact even despite its rather disappointing ending. Above all, it managed to make the characters relatable and even likable, and that's why you might end up wishing for a different outcome. The three stars work well opposite one another to create a nice team. Jaideep Ahlawat infuses his part with the right amount of stoic awkwardness to successfully create a rather shady and questionable man. Film after film, Vijay Varma appears to make a name for himself as a solid actor who can always be counted on to deliver the goods. He is excellent. It's been a while since I saw Kareena do something as worthy as this film. I even felt sorry she didn't use the extraordinary opportunities available to actresses in India to promote her artistic career. And I'm so happy she picked this film. Here, she looks very much a real person - raw and authentic, and never a star. She intelligently uses her sex appeal to a quiet, more implicit effect, and even though she appears a little indifferent and conscious of the situation in some scenes, she puts in an impressive turn overall. I hope she keeps doing similar projects. Very nice film, overall.
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