Mithya

I have lauded several films(Jaane Tu Yaa Jaane Naa being the latest) for having interesting screenplays that put fresh spins on familiar stories. But occasionally, a movie does come along to surprise us with a unique, fantastic story. Mithya is one such film.

The film starts off like Billa as a poor, struggling actor is forced by a gang of criminals to take the place of the head of a rival gang(who they have already killed). But once we settle down, expecting this familiar story to play out in expected ways, a sudden, completely unexpected plot point takes the story in a brand new direction. The development leads to some delicious possibilities that have been exploited fully by the screenplay and adds a sense of unpredictability to pretty much every scene.

Mithya refuses to be slotted in any particular genre. At various points, shows signs of turning into a comedy(as Ranvir acts as the gangster), a thriller(as the rival gangs clash), a romance(as Ranvir and Neha share their stories) and even a tear-jerker(as Ranvir's wife and kids enter the picture). But it never lingers in any of these and always manages to take a turn that surprises us. The film's tone changes constantly as the story traverses all these genres too.

The film moves inexorably towards a conclusion that is difficult to accept but perfectly logical. With the memory of a previous conversation, an oft-used plot device that has never been used in a better fashion and a single word, it crafts a finale that is unforgettable.