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DUM - (Reviewed By Komal Nahta)

Director: E. Niwas
Producer: Cineyug
Music: Sandeep Chowta
Lyrics: Sameer, Nitin Raikar, Abbas Tyrewala
Starring: Vivek Oberoi and Diya Mirza

RATING: 1.5/10

Cineyug Films Pvt. Ltd.'s Dum (A) is a routine action film with no novelty whatsoever in the story. Remake of the Tamil hit Dil, it tells the story of a young boy (Vivek Oberoi) pitted against a corrupt police officer (Atul Kulkarni). The boy is preparing himself to join the police force to rid the system of corrupt police officers but gets entangled in a fight with the corrupt inspector, in which he beats up the latter.

Seeking revenge, the inspector almost kills him but the boy not only survives the attempt on his life, he also recovers fast and appears for the final physical test for joining the police force. Declared passed, he is about to join the force when the corrupt inspector plays truant once again. In the end, the boy eliminates him even before he can join the police. There is another track of a principled police officer (Mukesh Rishi), which is hardly developed.

Writers E. Niwas and Mehran have burdened the screenplay with scenes seen umpteen times in films of this genre. The film, after a fairly good start, deteriorates, more so in the second half. The confrontation scenes between the boy and the inspector look repetitive as they add nothing to the drama after a while. What is worse is that there are two more villains (besides the corrupt inspector) and both of them are killed by the inspector rather than by the hero.

Not just because of this, but footage-wise too, it is the corrupt inspector who looks like the film's hero! Also, the hero dreams of becoming a police inspector to rid the system of all evil but he ends up ridding the system of evil before joining the police force. Romance is almost missing. Comedy is weak. Drama is dull for the most part.

Dialogues (Mehran), which should have been the high point of this drama, are ordinary. This further dilutes the impact of the proceedings.

Action is so excessive that many among the ladies audience will feel repulsed. But it must be said that action scenes are well composed (Abbas Ali Moghul).

Vivek Oberoi does a good job as the aspirant policeman. He is superb in action scenes but definitely needs to brush up his act in emotional scenes (his performance in the single emotional scene in which his friend dies is not upto the mark). Diya Mirza gets limited scope and is quite nice. Atul Kulkarni shines as the corrupt police inspector. He is natural to the core and his character evokes instant hatred, so powerful is his performance. Sushant Singh does very well but it's sad to see a talented actor like him being almost wasted in a role that doesn't demand histrionics. Sushant should, however, grow back his moustache.

Mukesh Rishi leaves a mark although his characterisation is weak, reducing him to an almost impotent police officer who does nothing to avenge the atrocities perpetrated on his family. Govind Namdev is effective. Yashpal Sharma does a natural job as Babu Kasai. Neena Kulkarni does well. Sheeba is superb in the single dramatic scene she gets. Vivek Shauq doesn't have anything worthwhile to do except crack some feeble jokes. Yana Gupta exudes oomph and sex appeal in a song dance. Danny, as Vivek Shauq's assistant, is cute. Saurabh Dubey impresses. Mukesh Bhatt is lovely as the peanuts-vendor. Rakhee Sawant is sexy. Ajay Rohila, Sunita, Harsh Chhaya, Anang Desai and Nagesh Bhosle lend able support.

E. Niwas not only fails as the co-screenplay-writer but his direction also leaves something to be desired. His penchant for showing blood and gore in excess, perhaps, to make it look authentic is not too desirable. Sandeep Chowta's music is different and needed time to grow. The title song, 'Babuji zara dheere' and 'Jeena' are the pick of the lot. Song picturisations, especially of the title song and 'Babuji' (both Ganesh Hegde), deserve special mention. Surendra Rao's cinematography is fair. Background music is quite effective.

On the whole, Dum is old wine in new bottle. With the ladies and family audiences almost out, it will have to rely on masses for patronage. But since the dull second half won't impress the mass audience too, the single-track film will find the going tough.

RELEASE DATE: 24th January 2003

REVIEWED BY KOMAL NAHTA