MEDIOCRE TALES NARRATED CRAFTILY

3 Storeys

STARRING: Richa Chadha, Pulkit Samrat, Renuka Shahane, Sharman Joshi, Masumeh Makhija, Ankit Rathi and Aisha Ahmad

DIRECTOR: Arjun Mukherjee

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Debutant director Arjun Mukherjee’s 3 Storeys, with a misleading title, is a craftily narrated tale of characters living in a three-storey chawl in Mumbai.

Set in a middle-class dwelling in the heart of Mumbai, the setting plays a significant part in portraying the social fabric and astutely intertwines the lives of the people living there.

The first act starts on an intriguing note but soon crumbles. The narrative, with its twists and turns, is on-the-nose and proceeds with reckless abandon. And the characters really need to “get it” if the story is to have its triumphant third-act liberation, which they do. Their tales are exciting, absorbing yet clichéd.

Renuka Shahane, with prosthetics and gaudy make-up as the Goan, Flory Mendonca, is a tad over the top. Though she performs to the best of her ability, she seems to be a misfit in her role. She plays a pampering mother who spares the rod and spoils her son Anthon.

Masumeh Makhija and Sharman Joshi pair as star-crossed lovers; Varsha Joshi a Brahmin girl and Shankar Verma the ace embroider, who land up living in the same building. Their on-screen chemistry is palpable.

Similarly, debut actors Aisha Ahmed and Ankit Rathi as Malini and Sohail make a cute pair caught in an interreligion love story. Their romance, though underplayed, creates a ripple and you root for the two.

Among the others in significant roles are Himanshu Malik as the bachelor police officer Ganpat who lives alone and Richa Chadha, the seductress-cumnarrator. Though wasted in miniscule parts, they have their moments of onscreen glory.

The film, mounted on a moderate scale, is technically sound. Will Humphris’ camera work is good in parts. His frames capture the locales and emotions sharply, but some of his frames are shaky and the lighting a tad poor.

Clinton Cerejo’s music blends well with the narrative and elevates the viewing experience.

Overall, an intelligent viewer would initially dismiss the film as a lazily penned plot with banalities and plot- holes galore, but then the writers cheekily and astutely wrap up the film. At some points, it makes you say, “Ah, I did not see that coming.”

And, if you are in a good mood, you will leave the film on a positive note or

(Gulshan Grover) - who too has a roving eye but keeps it in check owing to his forthcoming mayoral elections - find her very attractive.

While Rajvir genuinely falls in love with Tasha, Aryan hoodwinks his brother to get closer to her. But what it results in is a web of manipulation, doubt, blackmail and ultimately revenge.

The plot, narrated in a non-linear manner, is skilfully crafted with a taut and neat screenplay. The first half of the film is racy and keeps you hooked and the second half gets into a preachy tone.

The dynamics between the actors are rock solid. With her oomph and floss, Urvashi Rautela as the femme fatale Tasha is impressive. She is the star attraction of the film.

Of the two male leads, neither Vivan Bhatena nor Karan Wahi have the onscreen charisma to counter-balance Urvashi. They deliver, but perfunctorily. Gulshan Frover, on the other hand, is slack and wasted in a stereotypical role.

The production quality of the film is superior and the visuals by cinematographer Sunita Radia are appealing. While the locales and scenes are matter-of-factly layered, the songs are cut like music videos. None of the songs stand out.

Overall, Hate Story IV is an engrossing tale despite its predictability.

Troy Ribeiro

else you will feel cheated for investing in the characters that were just a figment of one’s imagination.

Nonetheless, climb the 3 Storeys and find out for yourself.

Troy Ribeiro