 "Sonakshi Sinha's 'Nikita Roy' movie review: An interesting supernatural idea trapped in forgettable execution")
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Arjun Rampal, Paresh Rawal, Suhail Nayyar
Director: Kussh Sinha
Language: Hindi
Sonakshi Sinha’s Nikita Roy can be best described as a hybrid of Creature 3D and The Buckingham Murders. Add PK to it and all these films can have beer at a pub. Creature 3D may run out of cash, The Buckingham Murders will rush to the loo to avoid paying the bill. PK will promise to pay the next time. And Nikita Roy will have to tolerate all the burden. It does definitely face the burden of being an amalgamation of all the names mentioned above. You know that because of some of the most awkward and abrupt shots in a Hindi film in recent times. This film could have existed anywhere in the world but but the makers opt for London for an ‘atmospheric’ mood. Anurag Kashyap calls it noir. No where!
Sinha plays an author called Nikita Roy who has written a book about suspicions in modern India. She has lost her brother Arjun Rampal in an accident that creeps the hell out of everyone. The film has an interesting idea trapped in inane execution. It’s unable to decide whether it wants to be whodunit, a horror, an emotional thriller, a drama about fake godmen, or everything or absolutely nothing. The leading lady has said this in a couple of her interviews how she used to play subservient characters in the beginning of her career. It’s commendable how she is choosing projects where the burden and the spotlight is on her shoulders. But the stories that she is being a part of is not being able to do justice to her intent.
There’s Paresh Rawal too. What happened with Sinha is something this veteran battled too. Post the charm and curse of the cult of Hera Pheri, fans want him to do more and more comedy. One barely mentions the likes of Mumbai Meri Jaan or Road To Sangam or Sardar when it comes to his marvelling oeuvre, but Nikita Roy is nowhere close to anything that he will be remembered for. If his character here had a conversation with Kanji Bhai from Oh My God, all hell would break loose.
Nikita Roy reeks of pretence from beginning to end. Any potential in the story is further marred by fake accents and faulty dubbing. Two brutal murders have happened, but all the investigations are being done by Sinha and her BFF Jolly (an over the top Suhail Nayyar). We barely get to see any effort from the police. Debutant director Kussh Sinha gives his sister a delicious opportunity to shine in every frame. The uneven script lets him down. But he definitely knows a thing or two about creating palpable tension. Better luck next time.
Rating: 2 (out of 5 stars)
Nikita Roy is now playing in cinemas
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