Rustom is recommendable for a weekend watch. It’s best if you watch this murder mystery thriller without its references to the Nanavati case. Rustom Pavri is a commander with the Indian Navy. He is a celebrated officer and is known for his unabashed nature when it comes to putting his country first. Based on the 50s explosive case of K.M Nanavati, the makers issue a warning at start that it is not a biopic and only a fictional representation of the case.
On his early return from his duty, Rustom finds his wife Cynthia missing at home. He soon learns about her affair with popular car dealer Vikram Makhija (Arjan Bajwa). A day later Rustom fires three bullets and kills Vikram, was it a passion crime or another matter?
This film’s script comes across like a Special 26 or A Wednesday with only one angle in aspect. In all these films you are rooting for the criminal. In Rustom, the protagonist’s character is written in a way that you hardly find him to be a murderer. The film’s story has been crafted well with good twists, turning points. The cinematic liberties that the makers have taken are clearly crowd-pleasing and in the lieu to pack this film as an entertaining watch.The juicy tabloid affair added zest to the story involving an extra marital affair and a murder.
The side characters are much more well-written. We love the ‘maid’ who shouts in favor of her employer in court without the fear or knowledge of being held in contempt. Also Kumud Mishra’s tabloid owner character is extremely enjoyable. The representation of a young kid selling the newspaper by giving juicy dialogues worked for me really well. The courtroom scenes are dramatic and they even pull off self-jokes on their TV-serial type drama. This self-joke kind of thing seems like a very smart writing move. Towards the climax, the plot falters hugely. The jury deciding their decision is a terrible scene.
Akshay Kumar as commander Rustom Pavri does a good job all through, but in a few courtroom scenes. In terms of performance, there is nothing challenging here for him, so he is good brilliant. Ileana D’Cruz who plays the ‘sorry’ wife is like a doll in this film. Her perfect hair, perfect dressing and perfect tears are perfect!. Esha Gupta has the same look all through the film. She is unnecessarily seductive with those low-cut outfits and only action she does in the film is hold that cigarette holder and smoke! Arjan Bajwa as Vikram Makhija is good in his role.
The music of the film is already popular and Tere Sang Yara sounds beautiful in the movie hall. For a regular movie goer, Akshay Kumar will be the highlight of this film and it will have to ride on his shoulders alone to work at the box office. Rustom is a one-time watch. For those who just want to catch a flick without its relation to Nanavati case, it makes up for a decent watch. I plead guilty that I suggest this film! A 7.5/10 for Rustom.