Jannat

Imran Hashmi and Muhesh Bhatt combination always gave us movies showcasing the darker side of life - Footpath, Murder, Gangster, Kalyug Zeher, The Killer, Awarapan to name a few. The nature of the crimes will vary in each film, but they remain under the same category. Jannat too has nothing new to offer except that the new crime involved is match-fixing in cricket.

For those who are interested in knowing the story, here goes:

Arjun Dikshit (Imran Hashmi), a compulsive gambler finds himself in love with a call center executive, Zoya (Sonal Chauhan) as he notices her staring at a diamond ring in a mall. Arjun spends the last money he has and gets it for her and the girl predictably falls for him.

Meanwhile, Arjun’s basic instincts work overtime and he asserts that his sixth sense can predict every single move in the game of cricket. He bets on matches and turns a bookie and later upgrades himself as a match-fixer. Like in all films, this transition of his character is rushed through one song. What’s more his casual approach to lure the cricketers has to be watched to be believed.

Arjun shifts base to South Africa working for a match-fixing mafia head Abu (Javed Sheikh). Abu is a person who funds unlawful activities such as terrorism.

The rest of the story is engulfed with clichés.  Arjun earns easy money through his illegal means. Zoya, of course, is under the impression that his 'import-export' business as she surmised has suddenly flourished. Later when she discovers the truth she disapproves of Arjun's immoral ways.  She tries to help Arjun out of the betting world with the help of ACP Malhotra. At the same time, the underworld don Abu offers Arjun money bountiful and Arjun is confused on which way to choose for the rest of his life.

The movie lacks proper direction and script in the second half. The climax is abrupt and weak that leaves the audience perplexed. This love story takes inspiration from the outdated templates of the 80s with the backdrop theme of match-fixing least exploited in its screenplay.  Jannat is ‘Bland for the Bucks.’