Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns Review

Cast: Jimmy Sheirgill, Mahie Gill, Irrfan, Soha Ali Khan
Direction: Tigmanshu Dhulia
Genre: Drama
Duration: 2 hours 25 minutes

Movie Review: Mind you, this is not regular gangsta film; with usual showcasing of arms, ammunition, bangs and blasts. Yes, it has explosives of another kind - 'bangs' (it's a total 'bed'-bangers ball, what gall); Weapons of Mass Seduction and politics of bistar and beyond. This sequel, a strange mix of foul games and passionplay, unfolds with a crippled Saheb (Jimmy) holding onto the last vestiges of his shrinking Kingly pomp and glory. His boisterous biwi, Madhavi devi (Mahie), mostly depressed and drunk, lives as Chhoti Rani in the same haveli, but the couple share nothing but extreme hate and contempt for each other. Biwi, is a ruling MLA who knows little about rajneeti but mixes it brazenly with saucy traits and seductive moves to stay on top. Enter, gangster Indrajeet Singh (Irrfan), with a mission to topple Saheb (to avenge his family's lost royal honour), while his love-interest Ranjana (Soha), vulnerably falls prey to the political chess.

Tigmanshu Dhulia has created an intriguing world with rajas fighting for their kingship; politicians watching porn, gangsters sleeping with the enemy, and women unapologetic about adultery in the ballroom and bedroom. The setting and story is vibrant, dramatic, dark and humourous at the same time. Once again, he scores with his characters - intelligently sketched, with dichotomous layers - dark, brooding, loving and lustful. The editing and the screenplay in the second half lose steam, and the item number (courtesy Mughda Godse) punctures the pace. The climax passively surrenders without the satiating feel of bittersweet revenge.

Irrfan is absolutely terrific; he shows fury, passion, envy, pride with such utter conviction that you crave to see more of him onscreen. He's undoubtedly one of the finest performers we can boast of. Jimmy is excellent as the poignant, wheel-chair bound saheb exuding power. Mahie Gill is volatile as the unfulfilled woman desiring more, though her drunken drawl often leaves us more dry than high. Soha plays her part with subtlety and sophistication.

This may not be Tigmanshu's best, but it's a movie with more balls than most cinema can flaunt.