Cast: Vivek Oberrai, Antara Mali, Manoj Bajpai
Director: Rajat Mukherjee
Music: Sandesh Shandilya

Review

One signpost stays with the viewer long after Ramgopal Varma's Road has reached the dead end. In many ways, it sums up the film beautifully. The film which has some assets absolutely new to Bollywood - this is probably the first film of this genre in Hindi film industry. A 'road' film, this one comes with a wafer-thin plot but director Rajat Mukharjee is able to sustain the pace and linger the interest with some deft handling. The film begins on a pace fast and furtive.

A young man who would need a recommendation to qualify for the competition round of matrimonial market - Vivek Oberoi - is besotted with a young girl - Antara Mali, the new age, unconventional girl, using her mind, aware of her body. The two plan to go to Jodhpur for tying the nuptial knot. Silently, stealthily. Only thing is the road to the desert town is unending. There are few human beings, plenty of animals, little vegetation, plenty to vegetation, plenty to vegetate on if left behind by your companion on four wheels.

Encountering one such soul stranded in the desert, the love-birds give a lift to the young man in need - Manoj Bajpai in a performance which has winner written all over it. Turns out that the man needs more than a ride, he needs a companion and is prepared to rob, kill, maim and murder for it. How the trio exchange blows, how the heroine steers gently across from one man to another without losing her mind makes this journey worth undertaking.

One vehicle to another, one man to another and back, yet the thrill continues. You may not enjoy the destination here but you will definitely enjoy the travel, even if the speed becomes somewhat slow early in the second half. But then, you can take it in your stride. After all, Road in our land has to have a pothole here, a speed-breaker there. Along the way, soak in a couple of numbers, which make you think if this is possible in Mukharjee's small-town India. Delhi, Mumbai must be really visited by fairies from paradise!

Yes, neither heaven, nor hell, this one is middle-of-the road offering which will evoke interest in many, meet with failure in some others, yet concede not an inch in many other quarters.