99 (I) (2009) User Reviews

99 (2009)

[ashi-lance · 7/10 · 9 February 2013]

99 is targeted at youth and multiplex audience inspired by real life events of match fixing that happened in year 1999 that took cricket world by storm. The movie has the right script, good actors and the humor at right place, which is able to take the movie ahead especially with unconventional music and Cricket being involved. The story is about two small time goons – Sachin (Kunal Khemu) & Zaramud (Cyrus Broacha) who work for AGM (Mahesh Manjrekar), a known name in bookie world as they have to clear their long owed debt to him. The story gets candid as both Sachin and Zaramud are send to Delhi from Mumbai to bring Agm's money from Rahul (Boman Irani) who is obsessed with betting and is big time looser like Sachin & Zaramud. The trio is known to struck at 99, a step before they could make it big–time. The story moves forward as they get to know about JC (Vinod khanna), a match-fixer and the trio gets befriended seeing each others financial and sympathetic condition and agree to take a life changing bet that would clear off all their debts and make their dreams true.

MY RATING: 7/10

99 not out

[singh-amrit · 8/10 · 3 June 2009]

The film looks interesting from the outset, when the makers claim that they believe the incidents in film are real. And an interesting way of opening credits only adds to curiosity.

Film starts with a funny chase and kunal khemu starts to narrate the story. A story of 2 small time crooks and how they get into big time troubles. The film traverses a unique genre of comedy thriller. It keeps you at the edge of the seats, but at the same time makes sure that the edge never hurts, with enough humor spread all over.

The storyline is spread over 2 cities of Bombay and Delhi in the year 1999. The film uses a real life scandalous case as the backdrop. (Though it no suspense, still its best left untold what scandal they've used). Director has taken care of minute details to make the story set in year 1999, like mobile incoming was charged, Clinton's India visit, 20-20 cricket still being a wild idea and even the dollar exchange rates. Also the essence of 2 cities is intact. Watch out the scene when Cyrus and Kunal describe why they don't want to go to Delhi. It's simply hilarious.

Kunal Khemu is slowly coming to its own. Cyrus could have had a few more lines to say, though he is great in whatever he is doing. Soha Ali is under utilized. Vinod Khanna is neat and Boman Irani is in form as ever.

It's a refreshing break, both from some unimaginative comedies we've seen in recent past and the hiatus caused in release of Hindi films in cinemas.

Its sweet little comedy, thriller, romantic, fun film. Go refresh yourselves. Have some good time.

I have a theory about films... they should all be THIS much fun!!

[SinglePlex · 7/10 · 18 May 2009]

The first question I have for Krishna DK, Raj Nidimoru and Anupam Mittal after watching "99 (2009)" is: "Why did you starve us for 6 long years since your last epic "Flavors (2003)"?".

Like their previous work, "99" is pure brilliance with a tight plot, jokes that work and pop-culture references that make you go "A-ha!". In other words, a MUST WATCH. The packed house at PVR on a weekday late-night show is testimony to that.

Kunal Khemu is an under-rated actor in the mould of Abhay Deol. Luckily, the latter has found his groove with the last couple of releases. Kunal is still stuck at 99 (pun intended), despite excellent nuanced performances in some excellent but forgotten films like "SuperStar (2008)". He has an easy charm and superb comic timing. At the same time, his vulnerable eyes poke through your heart during the tragic scenes. I really hope he breaks the jinx of successful child actors (like Urmila Matondkar, probably the only success so far).

This movie also enjoys the acting talent of powerhouses like Boman Irani (who started in similar Indy films like "Let's Talk (2002)" but now needs no introduction), Mahesh Manjrekar, Amit Mistry (a bonafide superstar at Bombay's Prithvi Theatres) and Cyrus Broacha. All these guys have significant theatre experience and it shows in their comic timing, body language and diction. In smaller roles, the bhojpuri actor and the sidekick provide many laughs with their natural presence. Among the ladies, Soha and Simone are important to the plot but don't have any spectacular scenes where they get to shine.

So here is my second question to Krishna DK, Raj Nidimoru and Anupam Mittal: "Why didn't you repeat the ravishing and very funny Pooja Kumar from Flavors, in the role of (who else?) Pooja?". She'd be so purrrfect-- and a treat to watch.

The production is very well designed. The movie is set in 99-2000 and it almost feels as if that is when it was shot. Be it the film hoardings across the city (imagine "Kaho Na Pyar Hai (2000)" blocking the skyline, for chrissakes!), the mobile phone models they use, the cars they drive or their amazement at the advent of "cyber cafes"--- this could well be one of India's first period films (NOT about the Freedom Struggle)! If anything, that's one award it deserves for sure. The background score is also well used and adds to the tension/fun of the chase.

As for the story itself, this is a chase/heist movie in the genre of what Guy Ritchie does. The two losers are on the run from everyone, with their IOUs adding up faster than Sachin's centuries. Their misfortunes and bravado makes for some very comic situations, without resorting to any toilet humor (well, almost) or Priyadarshan style confusion-climax. The audience kept laughing and clapping all through. Especially loved were the Bombay versus Delhi references (the cities are known for their cultural rivalry and pride). The movie is peppered with cricket metaphors, delivered in Cyrus's inimitable style. Cricket forms an important part of the plot and it is made by true lovers of the game.

Even though it reminds you of many Hollywood films, it is not a copy but in their genre. This slight difference sets it apart from the 99% junk that Bollywood ends up celebrating annually with the likes of Anees Bazmee, Priyadarshan, David Dhawan and Hansal Mehta. So here's my third question for Krishna DK, Raj Nidimoru and Anupam Mittal: "Agli picture kab bana rahe ho?"

99 is the new century!

[AvinashPatalay · 6 July 2009]

A brave and an honest attempt. Its indeed a fresh concept which deserves to be applauded. Easy pitfall for the Gen-X for the film-makers to go overboard and end up with a product thats shares similarity to a text- book. In simple words it ends up being a GM fruit/ veggie. The director duo manage to retain the natural "flavour" to the proceedings.

Ө Kunal Khemu:: He was good in most parts and does need to polish his skills. The character was a bit "too posh" for his background.

Ө Cyrus:: Either his character was bad or Cyrus is a bad actor (owing to which his role got massacred on the editing table). Regardless, should have taken inspiration from Circuit.

Ө Soha:: As usual, nothing was expected out of her or the character. So its "status-quo". Neha-Pooja reference was good.

Ө Boman Irani:: Well can be safely said that the entire movie rests on him and he manages to bear the weight effortlessly. The name Rahul was a bit too modern for the character.

Ө Simone Singh:: The role could have been safely purged from the plot. There is nothing the character contributes to the storyline.

Ө Vinod Khanna:: Well, what can be said of Mr. Suave. He is suave in the role.

Ө Mahesh Manjrekar::Infuses life into the character owing to which manages to draw good laughs. And very authentic look indeed.

Ө Amit Mistry:: Make way for this fresh talent, he is surely to stay and give tough fight to Rajpal Yadav (similarity in size too!).

99 can also be classified as a period film as it attempts to recreate the 1999-2000 scene (mobile, betting, Clinton's visit & the out-of-the- box idea of Coffee shop). There are a few goofs which can be safely ignored.

Clearly evident is the inspiration from Pulp Fiction. Gentlemen the "rabbit-out-of-hat" is no doubt Tarantino'ism.

When the audience were practically dying of starvation owing to the multiplexes strike, wonder why "99" wasn't lapped up as manna from heaven. Beats me!

Bottomline:: This John Doe deserves more recognition.

A intelligent film!

[namashi_1 · 7/10 · 28 August 2009]

Krishna DK, Sita Menon and Raj Nidimoru deserve a pat for writing and attempting something like '99' in Indian Cinema.

How interesting to think of, '99' takes you a decade back and makes you feel the year. Often we've seen people in Cinema, taking us to yesteryear's that have something to do with history, be it Independence, a moment of Violence, mostly something like that. But in '99', the 3 intelligent writers take us back when the Cricket World-Cup was going on.

Directors Krishna DK & Raj Nidimoru make it a point, that you remember the decade on celluloid with Pure Fun. '99' is a winner all the way... in all respects in wins your heart! The film was a decent success, and the following the film will achieve in the nearby future is nothing short of 'Cult'.

Expectations are limited; Entertainment, here is unlimited.

Performance-wise: Boman Irani & Mahesh Manjrekar steal the show. Boman, is fantastic as always. Manjrekar is simply superb; his one-liners are hilarious. Kunal Khemu suits his part to the T and delivers a confident performance. The plus point of the youngster, is that, he's natural all through, in all of his films. Soha Ali Khan is good. Cyrus Broacha is funny. Simone Singh is decent. Amit Mistry is another surprise packet; he's excellent and his broken English is hilarious to hear. Sudesh Berry is alright. Vinod Khanna needs no mentioning, the veteran is superb as ever.

on the whole '99' is smart, witty and really entertaining. A joyride! Thumbs Up!

99 is a success!

[unboxed-design · 10/10 · 19 May 2009]

99 is a success! First time mainstream directors DK and Raj pull off with great intelligence this smart witty new age comedy. The movie engrosses you from the opening scene with a rip roaring chase that builds upon the background of this masterful story line. The plot takes on so many twists and turns that viewers will be kept guessing throughout the film.

The beauty of this story is that it weaves fiction into fact using the India's cricket scandals back in 1999 as the background scene. It is intelligent, smart, and entertaining.

The casting is superb with Boman Irani, Mahesh Manjrekar and Kuber Mistry. Boman Irani is perfect in his portrayal as an addicted gambler. It is easy for the viewer to feel the full plight and depth of his situation as he digs himself into deeper and deeper holes.

Kuber Mistry steels the comic scene of this movie with his hilarious antics. His dialogs are delivered with expert precision that it is hard to believe he is only acting the part. Expect to see this actor in many more movies to come.

Kunal Khemu and Cyrus Broacha, the heroes of the film, are pure fun and their characters get into a sticky situation from the start of the movie. Both draw the viewer in making you root for them to succeed in their plight in the end no matter what happens.

I do not want to ruin the ending of this movie, but be prepared for some surprises. Trust me, as strange as it sounds, they will have you rooting against Indian cricketers too.

99 is a solid film that should do well in the box office. It is definitely not a movie that should be missed. I rate it a thumbs up and give it 5/5.

Highly recommended to all those film buffs who yearn for a good entertaining comedy.

[reubenthegreat88 · 7/10 · 10 August 2009]

With the release of People Picture's 99, the great filmi depression has finally come to an end. Three cheers and a huge round of applause for that! Cinema can breathe in peace for now.

99 reminded me of Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can. It isn't as brilliant as Spielberg's film but it does have that tinge of wickedness, one that is thoroughly entertaining and rare in Hindi cinema. The film is silly and intelligent at the same time and it belongs to the 'tadka laga ke' class of comedies, if you know what I mean by that! 99 is about match-fixing, bookies and people who spend fortunes on illegal betting. The film takes reference from the 1999 cricket match-fixing scandal to create a delightful comedy of errors.

The actors are a real asset to this film. Kunal Khemu and Cyrus Broacha are immensely successful in spicing up every frame that they occupy. Quite possibly, their characters, Sachin and Zaramud are inspired by Laurel and Hardy. Boman Irani is at his usual best and his trademark comic timing is visible throughout the film. Mahesh Manjrekar, Soha Ali Khan, Simone Singh and yesteryear-actor Vinod Khanna essay their roles with ease. That said, the biggest scene-stealer of 99 is a relatively less known actor called Amit Mistry. His delectable act as the flashy Delhiite and his hilariously awkward English dialogues will entertain you completely, thanks to the crisp dialogues by Sita Menon, Chintan Gandhi and Raja Sen.

Directors, Krishna DK and Raj Nidimoru, are not new to this genre of film-making. Their last film, Flavors, was an impressive crossover product which had received a generous amount of positive reviews from the foreign press. 99 provides a bigger canvas to showcase their skills at comedy and they make full use of it. I found their style of film-making very refreshing and unlike anything I have seen recently. Undoubtedly they are now part of the elite club of contemporary filmmakers which include directors like Raj Kumar Gupta, Neeraj Pandey and Dibaker Banerjee. 99 is a technically proficient film too. Rajeev Ravi's photography is crystal-clear, making the capital look good on screen once again. Particularly, the opening credits have been shot and conceptualised very well. Roshan Machado's tangy background score is another highlight which gels in perfectly with the characters and the setting.

If you are tired of the clumsy, slapstick humour that Bollywood churns out so frequently, then 99 is for you. Highly recommended to all those film buffs who yearn for a good entertaining comedy. I'm honestly thrilled that those unbearable 'sex comedies' are finally losing steam in the film business.

I go with 7* Stars Highly recommended to all those film buffs who yearn for a good entertaining comedy.

99 is a trend-setter!

[Alka-Bose · 9/10 · 19 May 2009]

"Chakka kisine Maara...Paisa kisine haara" -- haunts me even after a day of watching this super thriller...I could so well relate to Rahul -- the Hansie Cronje, if you will, of the movie -- A character you could only pity. Boman for me was the highlight of the movie.

Cricket is such an integral part of the movie that you have a 'reel' Sachin with a 'reel' Dravid (although a fatso) -- Keeps Sachin good company throughout the movie -- much like the Sachin, Dravid partnerships that we are accustomed to on the cricket field. Kunal is impressive and seems to have taken his acting to the next level from his previous movies. Cyrus evokes enough laughter to keep you engaged. Soha, as her role demands, was very suave and subdued.

Import-Export business king Kuber is another highlight -- his one-liners are bound to become popular in bollywood cinema in the years to come -- "Checking"..."Cut Again"..."Give Respect" etc..much like Vivek in Flavors, if you remember, -- "You Grow Up"...Accompanying him is "Dimple", taking me back to "Michael Madana Kama Rajan's" Kamal-Bheem combo.

Talking of one-liners, there's no dearth of those in the movie -- be it AMG leaving a 'message' after the 'beep' OR the wannabe in the hotel lobby threatening to buy the 5-star hotel or the popular theory about how cell phones would hurt your entire body, heck I even liked the dude on the street giving TV interview of what he saw of the culprits.

Another aspect of the movie was the subtlety with which certain things are shown -- be it the kids flaunting their bounty hunt on the road or Rahul's "oh!" at the fall of a wicket on a match he bet on, while in the Y2k meeting room -- the directors quality of letting small events tell a story of its own shows up as a highlight.

Although not having songs interrupt the story flow is a welcome change -- having listened to the music album, you almost wish that you see the full version of the songs play out..most people stay in the theater through the credits because of the "What's up" song...come to think of it...shouldn't't "Whats up"? song be the opening credit as a way of the débutant directors saying Hello to Bollywood? may be they are setting us up for a sequel, who knows...LoL..

Background score is slick and cocky and suits the mood..

This "99" is bound to cross Lara's 400 and become a "trend-setter" for future Bollywood generation.

While reasonably fun, it's hard to care about ANYONE in this film.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 31 March 2013]

"99" is the sort of film you might really like, but I struggled with it because I really didn't care about the characters. If you really think about it, they are selfish jerks---and I rarely care for films where I don't care at all about people. If you can get past this, I a sure you will enjoy "99" much more than I did.

The film begins with two total morons selling fake SIM cards for cell phones. In other words, they are stealing. But their business soon is discovered by the police and they are forced to run--and in the process they destroy a gangster's brand-new Mercedes! Unluckily for them, the gangster discovers them before the cops. But, instead of killing the pair, he forces them to work as enforcers--collecting debts for his bookmaking operation. I have no idea why, but this tough guy decides to send these two bumblers from Mumbai to Delhi (a very long distance) to collect a debt. However, being bumblers, along with one of the debtors, they decide to try to take the money owed to their boss and 'invest' it. Can they do this and return all the money and make everyone happy by the end of the film? Overall, this is a decent film and I liked the film's energy. It also had a story that was creative. But I just didn't care about the folks--whether they succeeded or got their heads blown off in the process. I just didn't care. Now this CAN be overcome by a great plot and great acting (such as in "The Godfather"), but here it just didn't work mostly because the filmmakers were trying to make you care about these folks.

Intelligent, Smart and Entertaining!

[preshinde · 10/10 · 16 May 2009]

99 is a success! First time main steam directors DK and Nidimoru pull off with great intelligence this smart witty new age comedy. The movie engrosses you from the opening scene with a rip roaring chase that builds upon the background of this masterful story line. The plot takes on so many twists and turns that viewers will be kept guessing throughout the film. The beauty of this story is that it weaves fiction into fact using the India's cricket scandals back in 1999 as the background scene. It is intelligent, smart, and entertaining.

The casting is superb with Boman Irani, Mahesh Majrekar and Kuber Mistry. Boman Irani is perfect in his portrayal as an addicted gambler. It is easy for the viewer to feel the full plight and depth of his situation as he digs himself into deeper and deeper holes. Kuber Mistry steels the comic scene of this movie with his hilarious antics. His dialogs are delivered with expert precision that it is hard to believe he is only acting the part. Expect to see this actor in many more movies to come. Kunal Khemu and Cyrus Broacha, the heroes of the film, are pure fun and their characters get into a sticky situation from the start of the movie. Both draw the viewer in making you root for them to succeed in their plight in the end no matter what happens. I do not want to ruin the ending of this movie, but be prepared for some surprises. Trust me, as strange as it sounds, they will have you rooting against Indian cricketers too.

99 is a solid film that should do well in the box office. It is definitely not a movie that should be missed. I rate it a thumbs up and give it 5/5.

A Rollercoaster of Laughter and Nostalgia!

[Vucko130 · 7/10 · 12 September 2023]

"99" (2009) is a delightful time capsule that whisks us back to the late '90s, capturing the spirit of the era with infectious charm. Directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D. K., this Bollywood gem revolves around two best friends, Sachin (Kunal Khemu) and Zaramud (Cyrus Broacha), whose lives are intertwined with cricket betting during the 1999 World Cup.

The film brilliantly encapsulates the essence of the late '90s, from the chunky mobile phones to the baggy fashion trends. It immerses us in the world of Delhi, a city buzzing with energy and dreams, perfectly setting the stage for our protagonists' adventures.

Kunal Khemu and Cyrus Broacha steal the show with their impeccable comic timing and bromance. Khemu's portrayal of Sachin, a small-time hustler who reluctantly becomes a hero, is a standout. Broacha's wit and humor add layers of laughter to the narrative, making their friendship the film's beating heart.

The supporting cast is equally impressive. Boman Irani, as the eccentric bookie, adds depth to the story, while Soha Ali Khan shines as the mysterious Simone, infusing grace and charm into her character. Mahesh Manjrekar's AGM is a compelling blend of cunning and charisma, making him a formidable presence on screen.

The film's soundtrack is a treasure trove of '90s melodies, evoking waves of nostalgia. Tracks like "What's Up" and "Delhi Destiny" not only enhance the storytelling but also transport us back to a simpler time.

"99" is more than just a comedy; it's a heartfelt journey that makes you reminisce about the '90s when life revolved around friendships, cricket matches, and the thrill of uncertainty. It seamlessly blends humor, drama, and a touch of romance, creating an experience that appeals to both the heart and the funny bone.

In conclusion, "99" is a rollercoaster of emotions that leaves you with a warm, nostalgic glow. With its witty humor, charismatic performances, and a soundtrack that strikes a chord, this film is a nostalgic trip you won't want to miss. So, grab your popcorn and take a memorable journey with Sachin and Zaramud in "99" - it's a winner in every sense! 🎬🏏😄

99 - A joy ride

[sree_c · 10/10 · 10 August 2009]

Imagine I asked you to describe what your life was like a decade ago... Right, me neither - so instead, Imagine I asked you to make up a story of your life based on key events that happened to you 10 years ago but fill in the rest as you like... Now imagine how much harder it would be if I asked that the story you were creating also had to bridge to the current day events back then

It is a daunting task and one which the writers of 99 have done with flair and function. The script is whip-smart in the way it combines popular trends (cell phones, bhojpuri movies, the onset of cafes) of the time with the news making events (y2k, cricket match fixing) of the time to narrate a truly innovative story. All this while adding twists and turns to the main plot that will keep you buckled to your seat for the 2hr ride.

The casting was genius - Especially true of, Soha Ali Khan (as the girl next door that you want to take home to mom) Kunal Khemu (as 'NOT the bigger-than-thou hero who doesn't need your rooting for him to make a century'), Amit Mistry (as the lil guy with a big stick - aka dimple) and Boman Irani (as the most frustrating, gambler-husband-who-you-love-nevertheless ever).

Kunal is a natural born actor and in Amit, a star has just been born.

Why you will love it : Sharp dialogues, sharper delivery, excellent acting all round, awesome cinematography, fantastic music Why you might settle for liking it : The movie is in a genre that is new to Bollywood - "What, I don't have to be awed by the hero's machismo and the heroine's svelte body?", "What, the lead characters are the underdogs that I will want to root for, rather than supermen who drive Lamborghinis and live in palaces?", "what, I will hope that the hero escapes from the bad guy rather than making mincemeat of the villains face?".

The genre is called a 'crime caper' but 99, refuses to be boxed neatly into a category and insists on being a comedy-historical fiction-and-much-more

This movie wont change your life - don't expect to leave the movie inspired and moved. It will be more like you stepped off a roller coaster ride and you want to go back to the end of the line again.

Ladies, It would be like eating a perfectly whipped chocolate mousse - Enjoy!

Not bad.

[muditmonfils · 5/10 · 30 August 2009]

Overview: 99 is an original story inspired by the real events of the match fixing scandal that rocked the cricketing world in the year of 1999-2000 involving Hansie Cronje. The movie really gives you a realistic feel of the year 1999-2000.

Was it any good?: I must appreciate the way director Krishna DK has made this movie. The narration is very different from other movies. It depicts the betting syndicates in a very maturish way. But I was a bit disappointed with the first half. It moves at a snails pace. Boman Irani is more interested in explaining the features of his and his wife's mobile phones. Kunal Khemu is busy describing his dream of setting up a coffee shop and what sort of things it will have etc. I mean, this ain't a fair deal to the viewers. They have come for entertainment and all they get is something that they have already experienced before. The real picture unfolds in the second half. Betting gets tough and exciting. Things start getting more and more sinister. If only they had made the first half more impressive, the whole movie would have been a serious blockbuster.

The actors gave out a reasonably good performance. Boman Irani & Vinod Khanna were impressive. Cyrus Broacha was OK. Kunal Khemu & Soha Ali Khan were good but not great. Many duologue's in the movie were dated.

Verdict: Watch it for a fresh new story line. If you can stand the first half, then are sure to get what you paid for in the second half.

One of the best films this year...no doubt!

[rajstuff · 10/10 · 16 May 2009]

For once bollywood delivers on what it promises. It's a very slick film that tells a pretty unique story in a refreshing style that is almost alien to Indian cinema. Every single aspect of the film is top notch. It has plenty of good humor with some very smart ideas that make the entire ride highly entertaining. I didn't have any expectations from the film, mainly because of the actors in the film but having watched the film, I have to agree that each and every one of the actors did a top notch performance. But above the all the screenplay and narration of the film is superb! Something you hardly ever get to see in Hindi films, ever. I think it's the debut of the director. Great job !

One of the best this year!

[raj-movies · 10/10 · 16 May 2009]

When you have an original idea and the execution is professional and care is taken to give the audience something to laugh or ponder or get thrilled, you have a top notch entertainer. And 99 for me is one of the best this year and possibley in the last few years. And to add to this the cast hit bulls yes. Even though the cast is not attractive on paper because of the star crazy industry that we are unfortunately part of; once you see the film you will agree with me that the casting was perfect; and every cast person deliver what they were meant for.

OK to summarise 99 I will say it is a terrific thriller and an excellent comedy. And if you think about it this combination of thriller and comedy is rare and that is exactly why I think this is one of the best Hindi films I have seen. I recommend hundred percent! Thank you

Little Gem of a Movie

[bisprad · 9/10 · 16 May 2009]

Right from the word go, 99 seems to be a bit 'different' !! Even the normally humdrum disclaimers that you see in the beginning of a movie ("Any resemblance to real people or events is a coincidence .. blah blah") sings a different tune for this movie – you will understand when you see it. And on hindsight, it was a fair warning.

Coz nothing else about the movie – the unknown director pair of Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru, the boring lead pair of Kunal Khemu (who ?) and Cryus Broacha, the cute but hardly a top-slot-actress Soha Ali Khan – nothing prepares you for the absolute blast this movie is !! Simply put – it ROCKED !

(BTW, doesn't Nidimoru sound a little Japanese ?)

The movie starts in 1999, with two small-time crooks Sachin (Kunal Khemu) and Zaramud (Cyrus Broacha), on the run from the police. They hotwire a car and try to escape, only to lose control of the vehicle and smash it into a truck, then a lamppost and all sorts of other things – completely wrecking it. And to their luck, the car belongs to local bhai AGM (Sanjay Manjrekar) – to pay off for the car, they start working for him. AGM is bigtime into satta and has many outstanding debts to him. He dispatches our lead duo to Delhi to extort money from a non-paying gambling junkie Rahul (Boman Irani).

All this is only the first 10 minutes of the movie.

The movie is named so because it signifies just one short of a century – and all the characters in our keep missing their mark in life, just by a little bit. 99 is full of comic twists and turns – AND cricket jokes !! You could probably classify this as a comic heist/gangster story I suppose, but it wouldn't be doing this movie complete justice. The closest to this movie is probably last year's Abhay-Deol-starrer Oye Lucky Lucky Oye. Intelligent humour and lot of fun being poked at the city of Delhi itself – there are lot of similarities in the two movies. But story lines are very different.

Performance was standout across the board – Kunal Khemu, Boman Irani, Cyrus Broacha, Mahesh Manjrekar, Amit Mistry (Kuber), Vinod Khanna – and everybody else. Soha Ali Khan & Simone Singh didn't have much to do, but Soha looked rather cute – and both do their parts very satisfactorily. Mahesh Manjrekar continues to shine in comic roles – though I think his character would have better been named ATM instead of AGM. Boman was good as usual and Amit Mistry as Kuber was a hoot, to say nothing of Dimpy !! But the star was Kunal Khemu – the guy CAN act !! Not that I am complaining about this movie, but he should be getting better roles ! And Cyrus Broacha was a surprise too – he wasn't as over the top as I imagined he would be.

Being released in the middle of the multiplex-producers dispute will probably help this movie, as compared to being released in a normal schedule, competing with 5 other movies in a week. So yes, definitely go for 99 - it's a little gem of movie that you shouldn't miss.

I regularly write about movies at http://bombaycinephile.blogspot.com

Best comedy of the Year 2009

[theharry82 · 10/10 · 1 July 2009]

This movie bring one of the greatest reality of Cricket in Inida - Betting with sense of humor.

This is one of the best comedy of year 2009. all character have played there part greatly. A 10/10.

Really vary few people have seen this movie, but truly this one is paisa wasool.

chemistry between Soha and Kunal working. Cyrus really need some more time to be comfortable with Camera. At times he feels uncomfortable. Kunal is improving. If you looking for good family entertainment this one is for you.

A total laugh riot!!!

[pico_shaolin · 16 May 2009]

Me and my cousins just caught the movie today...and I must say, the movie left us laughing on the floor(figuratively, that is).

My one and only reason to go for this one was Cyrus Broacha, and after you've seen all his antics on MTV, you think what more can he offer. But watch out for him in this one!!! Ridiculously hilarious! Be it his humongous fat-suit or his Bombay attitude in Delhi, Cyrus makes you laugh and how! Didn't really expect anything from Kunal Khemu, but he does put up a pretty good act in this one! He gels perfectly with Cyrus and the two of them give a Laurel and Hardy type of feel to it! The supporting cast does a pretty good job, too. Boman Irani eases his part as a debt-ridden common man, befriending two bumbling extortionists(Cyrus and Kunal), and on the run from more of them! Mahesh Manjrekar and Vinod Khanna too put up very realistic acts as underworld bookies and match-fixers respectively! Soha Ali Khan is not too good and not too bad, but doesn't stick out like an eye sore, thankfully! The best part of the movie is undoubtedly the slapstick comedy, hilarious situations and a very late 90's type of feel to it. Technically, I wouldn't say much, but in a time when Hindi movies are taking the off-beat theme, "99" scores a century!

Watchable

[Pratik112 · 5/10 · 22 May 2009]

I was looking forward to watching this movie despite the fact that it wasn't even promoted due to the on going dispute and not knowing what this really was about. However, it is one of the better ones to be released this year but I wouldn't say that it was one of the best. A compulsive gambler borrows money from a gang but then four men are sent after him.

Starring Kunal Khemu, Soha Ali Khan, Boman Irani, Simone Singh, Vinod Khanna, Mahesh ManjrekarAmit Mistry, this is directed by Krishna D.K and Raj Nidomoru.

I was not disappointed with Boman Irani at all as he is his usual – good and is convincing as a gambler as are Amit Mistry, Mahesh Manjrekar and Kunal Khemu. But I was rather disappointed with Vinod Khanna and with Soha Ali Khan and felt that they weren't really in to it and that their characters could have been more meaningful and therefore have a lot more exposure of them in them film but it was not done and felt that their talent was wasted. Also, I felt that having such talented actors such as Boman Irani and Vinod Khanna in few scenes together, the directors could have made use of their talents and make their scenes a lot more explosive and then adding Soha Ali Khan, who has shown her talent in "Rang De Basanti" and "Khoya Khoya Chand,"it would have been more exciting to watch them along with Mahesh Manjrekar, who is also talented, Set against the background of real incident, the directors could have made use of that in a stronger manner as well and I felt that this would have made the film a bit more powerful and enjoyable instead of it being dragged in certain areas of the story, which though funny at times. But really the jokes could have been made more effective then they were.

However, it is not a complete dull movie as it does have some good points as well and it does make it, just about watchable.

99-Kyonki Taliya Woh Ek Run Ke Baad Hi Bajti Hai

[jayraj-rao · 8/10 · 13 December 2012]

Went into watching 99 with least expectations and was amazed with what it had to offer.The title as it suggests... the movie is setup in the year 1999 also with the protagonist who believes his life is on 99.99 is the number most characters are stuck on.. because its the century that makes it worth it.

Kunal Khemu (Sachin) and Cyrus Broacha (Zaramud) are friends who work as "Line Wala"(watch the movie to understand the Terminology) and have to work for Mahesh Manjrekar(aka AGM a Bookie) against their

Wills.The first half of the movie focuses on how both land up working for AGM.Boman Irani(Rahul) a gambler and a Sort of a Banker by profession gambles and loses.AGM sends Sachin and Zaramud to Delhi for recovering the money the fun begins...

Now for the performances Vinod Khanna(JC-Bookie) the senior-most of the lot in a small and minuscule role is a perfect fit for JC.Soha Ali Khan(Neha) is s pretty good 5-star hotel receptionist who goes for a coffee with her guests without leaving the hotel.Now the star performers....Kunal Khemu and Cyrus Broacha steal the show with the perfect Camaraderie that just leaves you with no option but enjoy the fun.Sachin believes that The "bhojpuri" element in the movie is something that seriously adds to the humour.

A any season movie and way better than most no brainer's bollywood usually comes up with ..99 portrays humour in a very real way.Kudos to the Team for making this one.Can simply say the best comedy of the last decade..and a very underrated movie. Go for 99 and feel the nostalgia that stays with you...and makes you watch it just that one more time again....Kyonki Taliya Woh Ek Run Ke Baad Hi Bajti Hai....

Magical and Euphoric

[EqbalAnwari · 8/10 · 13 January 2010]

Magical and Euphoric

The latest comedy by Krishna D.K and Raj Nidimoru undoubtedly is a hit. The last time I’d watched a bollywood flick was either Fanna or Doom 2; I don’t quite recall. The following is a summary of my observation on 99

The cast: More than anything else I loved the cast because of the authenticity and naturalism they brought into the movie i.e. the protagonist Kunal Khemu having the magical chemistry with Soha. On the other hand, supporting actor Syrus Broacha whom I had the chance to seeing him again after six or seven years when he hosted Love Line and Bakra on MTV. Moreover, bearing in mind that Kunal being this athletic heartthrob, Cyrus on the other hand is playing the role of a pudgy and pantomime who has been lubricated on the body making him seem something about 100 kg.

The Dialogue: Next I thought the dialogue was superb: Boman Irani habitually a betting freak who gets home late at nigh and begs his wife to let him in. there’s a scene when he buys his wife a birthday present that I found both hilarious and vulpine. In parts, the inner psychological annoyance the characters have specially that of Boman’s reminds me of the similarity of disturbance the characters of Forest Whitaker’s The Air I Breathe and Tom Cruise’s Magnolia get to fight with. In my opinion, all of them deliver one single theme in a way or another.

The humor: When you read about this picture on IMDb, the genre obviously is comedy. Although I think it’s tough to put a label on it because there’s crime, romance, thriller etc involved in it. There’s a task assigned for Kunal and Syrus to travel to Delhi. When they get the capital city on the way airport to hotel, all of a sudden Cyrus clamors over the cab driver “You son of a b**ch! You crossed this very circle 5 minutes ago why do you keep shuffling around the town? Why don’t we arrive in the god dame hotel? Do you think you can fleece us? "Sir mind your language. There are many similar circles in Delhi." replies taxi driver

In a word or two, 99 is very thick with ideas. Furthermore, it has a lot more to deliver e.g. topnotch music and direction and the rest of the cast: Mahesh Manjreker and Vinod Khanna who have performed their role astonishingly well. The ending is triumphant, magical and euphoric.

I would rate this one 8.5/10

99/100 it deserves.

[azizbaghadia · 9/10 · 30 October 2009]

99 is an intelligent movie using 1999 cricket scandal in India during India South Africa series.

The story told in an intelligent manner with good twist and turn in it which keeps you guessing all the time and you remain on the edge of the seat. And it is hard to find out weather it is facts or fiction, or say its a real fiction, whatever it was nice experience watching this modern day comedy intertwined with cricket issue.

All actors performance was good, Boman and Kunal steals the show Boman is excellent as an addicted gambler. Kunal shares good chemistry with Soha, All three were good.

Its a good movie a good weekend flick whose image keeps floating on your mind.

A must watch

[indranujthakur · 8/10 · 5 October 2018]

I never expected that the film will be such a great experience but film was great with great background score and great direction and acting the film is a must watch...

The dart was held right but it failed to hit the bull's eye

[bobbysing · 5/10 · 5 July 2009]

Movie time is back after a break of more than four not so happening Fridays. And the dull phase gets over with the release of a new thriller interestingly called 99. Since the story revolves around money won & lost, hence the title seems to be inspired by the famous Hindi proverb called "99 ka pher" which means "the vicious circle of 99". The movie is stylishly designed with the right intentions of making a racy thriller. But the end result fails to impress due to a slow script and only few good performances to enjoy.

The story is about two crook boys, who earn by creating illegal duplicate SIM cards for the stolen phones. Accidentally they damage the car of a big bookie in Mumbai and then fall into further troubles in order to compensate the loss. They now have to work as the recovery agent for the bookie and then go on to even lose a big amount of money recovered from a betting client. So the script has every main character looking for more money to save himself from trouble. Real life incidents of match fixing in Cricket with reference to Hansie Cronje of South Africa have been used as the backdrop of the story. But that too is used in a very tedious manner which fails to excite the viewer in any way.

The movie starts of well, with its innovative opening titles and a well shot chase scene, which raises the bar straight away. But as the other characters of the story are introduced, the pace falls drastically and all the excitement is lost in few minutes. After the initial half hour, the movie takes on to a very lazy path with everything happening in a well shot yet uninteresting way. Only few good sequences are worth watching in this average movie which could have been much better with some severe editing. In fact as suggested by the title the film should have been of 99 minutes itself, rather than going into more than 2 hours. It shows that in Bollywood, we are still forced to drag our products to make them around 2 hours of duration due to the pressure of buyers and distributors. The truth is that, even in this changed scenario, it's still very hard to sell a movie less than 2 hours duration in the trade. So 99 suffers greatly due to its unnecessary, boring length.

Performance wise Kunal Khemu & Cyrus Broacha play their parts well with Cyrus being the surprise of the season. He looks very funny with his huge body and witty one liners. Boman Irani (the gambler), Mahesh Manjrekar (the bookie), Soha Ali Khan (hotel lobby manager) and Simone Singh (Boman's wife) are simply fine doing complete justice with their characters. Vinod Khanna delivers a super cool show as the match fixer and Amit Mistry (as the recovery agent), tries hard to be funny (but goes over at times). As per the theme, songs have no role in a thriller but still here we have few of them inserted in the script to make us suffer.

Cinematography proves to be an asset for this movie with some brilliantly canned sequences. Especially the well conceived raid scene, shot for the first time in the interiors of Palika Bazaar in New Delhi. The famous locations of Delhi continue to be the current favorites of almost all the directors in Mumbai. While watching 99, you can feel that the director duo Raj Nidimoru (Raj) & Krishan D. K. (DK), had good intentions of making an entertaining thriller, but they were not supported by their script writers in the right way, which resulted in a half boiled product for the viewers.

However, I failed to understand one main point in the narration of the movie, that why the story was set in the year 2000 where the characters didn't even know how to change ring tones of their mobile handsets and where 20 -20 cricket was not even heard of. The time span gave a very old project kind of feel to the movie. If this was done to incorporate Hansie Cronje famous match fixing case into the movie then it didn't serve the purpose at all. On the contrary, it would have resulted in a far better and fresh feel project if it was made with reference to the current years.

Anyway, in a nutshell we can say that "99" had the director duo holding a dart in the right direction but they somehow missed the bull's eye.

This "99" is like a Sachin's century -- enjoy it

[gunsnsuj · 10/10 · 26 May 2009]

"Chakka kisine Maara...Paisa kisine haara" -- haunts me even after a day of watching this super thriller...I could so well relate to Rahul -- the Hansie Cronje, if you will, of the movie -- A character you could only pity. Boman for me was the highlight of the movie.

Cricket is such an integral part of the movie that you have a 'reel' Sachin with a 'reel' Dravid (although a fatsy) -- Keeps Sachin good company throughout the movie -- much like the Sachin, Dravid partnerships that we are accustomed to on the cricket field. Kunal is impressive and seems to have taken his acting to the next level from his previous movies. Cyrus evokes enough laughter to keep you engaged. Soha, as her role demands, was very suave and subdued.

Import-Export business king Kuber is another highlight -- his one-liners are bound to become popular in bollywood cinema in the years to come -- "Checking"..."Cut Again"..."Give Respect" etc..much like Vivek in Flavors, if you remember, -- "You Grow Up"...Accompanying him is "Dimple", taking me back to "Michael Madana Kama Rajan's" Kamal-Bheem combo.

Talking of one-liners, there's no dearth of those in the movie -- be it AMG leaving a 'message' after the 'beep' OR the wannabe in the hotel lobby threatneing to buy the 5-star hotel or the popular theory about how cell phones would hurt your entire body, heck I even liked the dude on the street giving TV interview of what he saw of the culprits.

Another aspect of the movie was the subtlety with which certain things are shown -- be it the kids flaunting their bounty hunt on the road or Rahul's "oh!" at the fall of a wicket on a match he bet on, while in the Y2k meeting room -- the directors quality of letting small events tell a story of its own shows up as a highlight.

Although not having songs interrupt the story flow is a welcome change -- having listened to the music album, you almost wish that you see the full version of the songs play out..most people stay in the theater through the credits because of the "What's up" song...come to think of it...shouldn't "Whats up"? song be the opening credit as a way of the debutant directors saying Hello to Bollywood? may be they are setting us up for a sequel, who knows...LoL..

Background score is slick and cocky and suits the mood..

This "99" is bound to cross Lara's 400 and become a "trend-setter" for future Bollywood generation.