Star cast: Kunal Khemu

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Star cast: Kunal Khemu, Zoa Morani, Mandana Karimi, Aseem Merchant, Vikram Bhatt (you read that right) and Mukul Dev

Director: Shivamm Nair

Rating: 

When the credits of a film reads names like Kunal Khemu, Zoa Morani and Mandana Karimi playing the lead roles, the least you would do is even bother watching the film. But I was wrong and how!

Bhaag Johnny is the best of all three films that hit the silver screens today. New story, novel concept, sleek direction and an engaging plot are what Bhaag Johnny is made of.

The film begins with a lady approaching a Hindu priest with the horoscope of her son, Janardan aka Johnny (Kunal Khemu) who works in a multinational company in Bangkok.  The priest tells the lady that her son is going to be in major trouble, but she doesn't need to worry coz he will save him from the mess with the help of some black magic.

Meanwhile in Bangkok, Johnny is caught indulging in Insider Trading by his boss which is considered to be a serious criminal offence that could put him behind bars for 10 years. Johnny is blackmailed by his boss to kill Tanya (Zoa Morani) who is in Pattaya or face 10 years sentence for Insider Training.

Caught in a catch 22 situation, Johnny is told that he will not be put behind bars for killing Tanya and instead, will be ported to India safely. This is where a Jin (a horrendous looking Vikram Bhatt who looks more like a ghost from one of his own directorial horror films) steps in to help Johnny get out of this mess. Interestingly, this Jin has been sent to Johnny by the Hindu priest who is busy doing some black magic back in India.

The Jin gives him an option of living two lives simultaneously for 72 hours - one where he would kill Tanya and see the consequences and the other where he saves her and fights for her. I know all this sounds very stupid on paper, but sleek screenplay and direction and effective execution of the story makes it an engaging affair.

Shivamm Nair shows promise; wish he had done away with the songs. The film would have been shorter by at least 20-25 mins and that would have been the perfect length for a thriller like this.

Kunal Khemu as Johnny is good. I personally feel he is one of the underrated and underutilized actors. The boy doesn't disappoint or over act. Zoa Morani supports him well and has done a fine job too. Mandana sadly doesn't have much to do. Wish her true talent could be brought to the fore. Mukul Dev is average and Vikram Bhatt is Bin bulaaye Jin. Why is he even there in the film?

If edge of the seat thriller is what you prefer watching on this weekend then you must definitely go for this one.