The Xpose Review

What is it all about?

A musical peek into the golden era 'The Xpose' acted and produced by Himesh Reshammiya   is a dazzler in its musical and visual elements that mixes the attitude of the sixties director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan tells a murder mystery that delivers on by gone era's seductive tones, starry tantrums and dialogues promising mass appeal.

Though the fact remains that this use and misuse of the bygone era has to deal with bohemian and conformist of today and those days turning it into a love it or hate it experience but the robust music push and its single screen mass appeal (in sex and dialogues especially) should be enough for its target audiences and Himesh fans.

The Story

Himesh Reshammiya and Jainesh Ejardar peel this murder mystery during the razzle dazzle of b-town entertainment industry during the sixties. Arch rivals Zara (Sonali Raut) and Chandni ( Zoya Afroz) come to blows at tinsel town's biggest post award party.. Zara (Sonali Raut) is found dead they both had one thing in common south superstar Ravi Kumar (Himesh Reshammiya) how the unveiling of the mystery exposes certain dirty secrets of the tinsel town forms the crux of the story

What to look out for

Style, glamour, oomph, director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan does it with some eye to details.. vintage cars, telephones, chairs, those cameras, antiques etc thanks to R.K. studios the settings do indulge the audience to take nostalgic dip into golden era where fame, image and attitude was everything..

Ananth refers those historic moments that made Bollywood history like Zeenat Aman's transparent sari scene in `Satyam Shivam Sundram', Parveen Babi most ravishing bikini clad look in 'Yeh Nazdeekiyan', famous starry tantrums by late Raj Kumar (famous for his dialogue delivery)the flourishing business of cinema tickets black-marketing.. its nostalgic.

For director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan it's a different razzmatazz all together in comparison to his previous stark reality checks like the national award winner `Mee Sindhutai Sapkal' and the critically acclaimed `Red Alert'.

Ananth twines his bygone era fetish with western Broadway musical feel a la Lurhman to this vivid and vibrant engaging fanfare.

Himesh Reshammiya as Ravi Kumar - the role modeled on late Raj Kumar is his best outing as an actor till date.

The role demanded poker faced tone dialogue delivery and Himesh fits in. dialogue writer Bunty Rathore gives him some good crowd pleasers (mentioning them will be a spoiler) that are bound to make his fans delighted and glad.

Himesh Reshammiya (less weight - 20 kg, more charm) gives a pleasing performance.

Zoya Afroz is pretty, Sonali Raut is fine.

Ananth Mahadevan as the showman is fine. Ashwin Dhar as Ananth rival is very effective.

Himesh Reshammiya music is a big plus `Dard Dilo Ke' and `Ice Cream' are already a rage.

Maneesh Chandra Bhatt cinematography is eye pleasing. Ashish Gaikar editing is crisp.

What not

It insults logic. A no brainer. People pop up at anytime anywhere. Things happen according to convenience. Costumes by Shaahid Amur, Sonu Kapoor, Fahad Khan and Jaffer Ali Munshi are not completely in sync with the era. A talent like Irrfan Khan is wasted. Adil Hussian also gets limited scope.

Current hip hop sensation Yo Yo Honey Singh as an actor is a disaster.

Conclusion: The Xpose is a love-it-or-hate-it experience. it's a bauble, but an ingenious one. Watch it if you love Himesh and/or Bollywood.

Rating ***