Rustom 2016
By
Tinu Desai
K.M. Nanavati case was a landmark in Indian judicial history. The jury did acquit him, but subsequent appeal in the High Court found him guilty, and the Supreme Court upheld the conviction. It was later that Vijayalakshmi Pandit, the governor of Maharashtra pardoned the naval officer. The government abolished jury trials after this case as there was purported miscarriage of justice.
The essential question that mattered during the trial was whether Nanavati murdered Prem Ahuja in the ‘heat of the moment’ or was it a premediated murder.
The plot of Rustom also revolves around this basic question. The bizarre subplot alleging that Prem Ahuja was an arms dealer who was brokering a shady aircraft carrier deal between India and the UK in cahoots with the top naval brass seems concocted. It adds unnecessary drama to the whole plot. I also don't understand why Akshay aka Rustom fights his own case in the film, when apparently KM Nanavati had a defense team assisting him in the actual turn of events.
The film draws some comic relief from RK Karanjia (of Blitz)-inspired editor of a sleezy local tabloid. I don't feel it was really required in such a gripping story. The case was a gamechanger and the ‘three shots’ had actually ‘shaken the nation’, so to speak.
Akshay Kumar looks sincere and in control, even if age has begun to show now. In the industry full of insincere and plastic actors like the Khans and Hrithik, he exudes a kind of honest charm which gladdens your heart. Illeana is pretty and looks wonderful in period dresses. Esha Gupta makes a fool of herself by giving a single expression in all the scenes. The lass is hot but has no idea how to act. The film is too long and that kills the intensity.
A watchable masala film. Might not exactly regret it.
#rustom #nanavaticase #kmnanavati #akshaykumar #illeanadcruz #jurysystem #tinudesai
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