My Name is Anthony Gonsalves

To begin with, the film revolves around Anthony Gonsalves (Nikhil Dwivedi)- a struggling actor who is picked up from the streets and handed over to Father Braganza( Mithun Chakraborthy) by the local gangster Sikander Bhai (Pawan Malhotra).

Anthony finds himself a job at the local pub run by Murtuza Seth (Anupam Kher), Sikander Bhai (Pawan Malhotra), Maqsood (Mukesh Tiwari) and Riyaaz (Daya Shankar Pandey) who are involved in illegal activities. Anthony soon falls in love with Riya (Amrita Rao) an assistant director on Ms.Bharucha’s (Lillette Dubey) film.

Fate has other plans for Anthony as he witnesses a dead body being buried by the trio of Sikander,Maqsood and Riyaz. Soon Anthony is hounded by Inspector Khan (Jaaved Sheikh) for leads. Anthony is faced with the dilemma of choosing between his very own Sikander Bhai and the truth.

My Name is Anthony Gonsalves has definitely been doing the rounds for various reasons right from Shahrukh’s Red Chillies association with the film to the comparisons drawn between Nikhil Dwivedi and Shahrukh of the Deewana days.

The film takes off with the journey of Bandra boy Anthony and cuts through various cliché characters right from Father Braganza to Bandra ka Michael to complete the ride, leaving you perplexed of where the film is headed. Director E Niwas definitely had a clear vision of bringing out the story of a local Bandra Boy who dreams of becoming a superstar. But somewhere through the film the screenplay starts loosening up, thus leaving the viewers bored at several instances.

The film keeps swinging from high energy pumping moments to real dull sequences. E Niwas tries real hard to keep the audience glued to their seats but it’s the vague introduction of characters and cuts in sequences that keeps you wondering where the film is headed.

As far as the acting quotient of the film is concerned debutant Nikhil Dwivedi does a pretty decent job. It’s not like bollywood has found its new Shahrukh in Nikhil, but the lad does make his presence felt. Some sequences in the film such as Nikhil mimicking Amitabh Bachchan and the interaction between him and Saurabh Shukla at the pub bring out the potential the lad has. Nikhil in no way resembles Shahrukh Khan, rather he resembles Shahid Kapur with his trying hard to be cute expressions.  Atleast Nikhi leaves you with a clear understanding that a hero need not be extremely good looking or so, but at the end of the day has to perform.

Amrita Rao is not overshadowed by Nikhil, infact in a male oriented film she does have a meaty role. She does perform well and one gets to explore the hotter side of Amrita in the film. Mithun Chakraborthy does well in a cliché role. Mithun’s fight sequence at the end is definitely entertaining.  Wonder whether the catholic community will raise objections to a scene where the Holy Bible is shown being tossed in the air and Mithun is shown diving and catching it before it hits the ground.

Anupam Kher looks like a complete cut paste from Kahon Na Pyaar Hai. The negative characters-Pawan Malhotra, Daya Shankar and Mukesh Tiwari are really good. In fact actor Pawan Malhotra is faboulous in the film. The actor surely deserves quality work after this film. Jaaved Sheikh does a good job as Inspector Khan. Saurabh Shukla,Lillete Dubey and Manoj Pahwa are barely there.

The film also has cameos from Priyanka Chopra and Anil Kapoor ; an item number by Hritisha Bhatt.

The Music of the film by Pritam isn’t the best but the song Tum mile jaane mere dilko has been well picturised and is sure to stick on. Hritisha’s item number has nothing to talk about.

Cinematography by Prakash Kutty is ok. Editing by Rameshwar isn’t great. Choreography by Bosco Ceaser and Rajeev Surti isn’t a visual treat.

On the whole My  Name is Anthony Gonsalves is a journey that leaves you lost but hats off to E Niwas for proving that you don’t have to be a Kapoor to be a hero but as long as you have the will even every Michael and Anthony from Bandra’s Chapel road can make it.