Is it story spread over 45 days. A story of greed, dissatisfaction and an unsuspecting innocent trap that closes on Aman ( Ranvir Shorey). Many of us know it as greed.
‘Moh Maya Money‘ plays on the omnipotent omnipresent pulsating irritating desire to jump socio economic strata. It is fuelled by a belief which says that without scam, side-business or loocha (white-collar crime) collar crime) one can never make it big.
On top of that, if you further suffer from a strong belief in self, that shouts ‘I am smarter than the rest’. Something will always be pushing you to take chances. This is what happens in ‘Moh Maya Money’
Writer-director Munish Bhardwaj takes you through a ride in ‘Moh Maya Money’ through the life of a middle-class Delhi couple..
Post an unexpected start, the film slows down to a meandering lazy pace. You feel unhappy with the inability of the director to handle two reference points at the same time. It results in a sloppy attempt at non-linear narration. You feel; you are wasting time in viewing the same narration again.
Unknown to you, Munish has been laying a foundation for the future twist and turns. He does this at his own pace, and frankly; that is the only part where you have time to pick up the cheese-butter popcorn.
Suddenly, without warning, the layers start opening. The maze is being set. The paths start crossing. A desperate scheme takes shape. The scheme is almost a success. But then, something has to happen. Emotions are challenged. You are not sure whose side you are and who do you pity. Meanwhile, you are wanting to happen where will the director take the film. On which turn will he leave you holding your breath.
I would have preferred a bit more racy treatment to the setup. Nevertheless, one must give credit to the director. As a viewer you are rarely ahead of him in narration.
My other slightly muted resistance is the closure. The end is left in an uncomplicated stage and pregnant with possibilities. It does not make your appetite feel satiated or end in an orgasmic debate about what would happen after the credits have rolled over.
Divya (Neha Dhupia), a senior producer at a media house. She seems the clean person. She seems the one who is supporting and is love. Who is happy with the middle-class family set up. Remember the onion. It is simple enough until you start opening the layers. And in this 109-minute film, it does happen at a pace. And that makes you shift your loyalty.
Such experimental cinema, has one thing going for them. Really life-like characters. You know they exist and are not over-the-top fantasy of some writer. The locations are so in your life and the emotions as magnified as the closely set houses can allow.
Ranvir Shorey deliveries under the constraints. Neha Dhupia vacillates between now silently supporting to over pitched cribber with her own life. A space to perform one would assume, but for her unexpressive face. Still, believe it or not, she seems rightly cast for the role. Dev Chauhan as a friendly neighbourhood gunda is likeable and yet threatening. Vidushi Mehra does not have much scope to act, as she opens as a pregnant woman whose husband is missing and continues with puffy eyes, weeping and shouting through the act.
IT IS NOT A PERFECT FILM and I am recommending you to watch it.
Such cinema and attempts must be promoted and accepted. I was disappointed with its limited screening and just 9 of us in a 48 seater preview screen watching it. And more importantly, if you can go and watch your money on ‘Ae Dil Hai Muskhil’ or ‘RockOn2’ or ‘Zindagi’, you should definitely see this.
And I did not miss not having songs.
