ajji-2 Review of Ek Chalis Ki Last Local

Ek Chalis Ki Last Local (2007)

A pleasantly different and more enjoyable ride from Bollywood!

[7/10 · 3 October 2007]

Surprisingly off-beat-yet-mainstream adventure/comedy/thriller from Bollywood, starting with a guy missing his local train ride home ('Last local train at 1.40 a.m' is how the title would translate, roughly). While it owes a huge debt to Tarantino in terms of some of the plotting and some of the tone, and a few direct nods to scenes from his films (as well as others, like Lock, Stock, etc), it is not a rip-off by any means (unlike Kaante, or others). The whole film takes place on one night, from 1.40 a.m to a few hours later, when the next train is leaving. The script remains interesting enough, even though it begins to drag a bit in a few parts (the 143 minutes could've used some trimming), and always has a twist up its sleeve. Characterization is good, especially of our hero, who is perhaps the most realistic and believable hero I've seen in Indian cinema for a long, long time. Abhay Deol plays the role not as a typical, hunky, macho superhero, but as a slightly cowardly, greedy, horny, and put-upon guy. Neha Dhupia is sublime in the first half as the 'average middle-class girl' who tags along with our hero, having missed the same train. In the latter part, she is a bit loud and unbelievable, but it may be the scriptwriter's fault here. The other characters, mostly of the dubious variety, are also fine (I especially loved the in-jokes, like the rickshaw driver aping Nana Patekar's dialogue delivery & poking fun at some of NP's most iconic lines.....obviously this kind of reference can only be enjoyed by people tuned into Bollywood cinema). Thankfully the music is used sparingly and instead of musical numbers to disrupt the proceedings, it is incorporated in the story smoothly. I was led to believe that the film contained quite a bit of raunch, but other than a passionate kiss, there's nothing. Which is amazing, considering most 'family oriented' Bollywood fare these days has more risqué stuff than this film. All the more surprising, since Neha is known for her 'revealing' roles in steamy thrillers, but she keeps her clothes on the whole time here (still, she looks ravishing even in her demure appearance). This would have been a drawback for me in a typical Indian film, but this one actually doesn't need to rely on such 'lowest common denominators'. Despite a few rough edges and a slightly bloated running time, this is a superior Bollywood thriller that I wouldn't mind watching again soon.