Kuttey review: A perfect blend of bullets, blood, and betrayal!

4/5

Making an intriguing heist-thriller is tricky, especially in Bollywood, but Kuttey, Aasmaan Bhardwaj's debut film, is engrossing in every way. Who would say that it is his first endeavor as a director of a feature film? Kuttey, starring Arjun Kapoor, Tabu, Naseeruddin Shah, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kumud Mishra, Radhika Madan, and Shardul Bhardwaj, follows three wandering gangs as they unintentionally meet paths while on the prowl one rainy night in the suburbs of Mumbai.

Laxmi, a commander of a Naxalite cell, tells Inspector Paaji (Kumud Mishra) what it's like to be someone's slave while being imprisoned in the opening scene of the 1 hour, 50-minute long movie. Following her release, she and her gang members murder all police officers aside from Paaji. Paaji, who now works for officer Gopal (Arjun Kapoor) thirteen years later in 2016, doesn't forget the sense of being treated unfairly.

The situation spirals out of control when Gopal and Paaji are both suspended for agreeing to assassinate Narayan Khobre, the head of Mumbai's greatest drug gang as instructed by his rival Mafia (Naseeruddin Shah). The only place Gopal and Paaji can find hope is in Officer Pammi's (Tabu). But when the Mafiosi's daughter Lovely (Radhika Madan) and her lover boy Danny (Shardul Bhardwaj) both get involved with ulterior purposes, what starts off as a simple arrangement between the trio takes a U-turn.

Now, a van (ATM Cash van) carrying a large sum in cash is being followed by Lovely, Danny, Gopal, Paaji, and Pammi. These three rogue gangs run into one another while on the prowl. Sadly, they all follow the same plan. Will these dogs eat the bone or will their greed cause them to lose? Well, let's keep that for you to watch.

Kuttey is not your typical crime drama, but an impressive heist-thriller. The movie has three chapters and a wicked epilogue at the conclusion. With its method for developing characters in the first act, the movie intrigues us and keeps us on the edge of our seats throughout the second. The only thing missing from the movie is realism, but they excuse it with the speech that says "no logic, only character." If one is not paying close attention, the movie could seem unclear. You will, however, be impressed with the climax.

Arjun Kapoor is a perfect fit for the part of a corrupt police officer. He continues to do well, displaying strong body language and evil emotions. The cherry on top is Tabu, though. She was the perfect person to portray a female police officer in this situation. She is fearless, independent, and a complete daredevil. Her raucous accent and A-level screen presence are as intriguing as it gets.

The movie's next-best thing is Kumud. He may not speak much as Paaji, but when he does, he dominates the entire screen. Even though she has a very brief role, Konkona Sen Sharma gives the movie a terrific beginning and ending. Watching Naseeruddin Shah, Shardul Bhardwaj, and Radhika Madan is delightful.

Aasmaan Bhardwaj deserves praise for his direction. In his debut as a filmmaker, he upholds the legacy of his father Vishal Bhardwaj. I'm astounded by how precise he is in expressing what he wants. Nothing about his adaptation of his screenplay doesn't feel like it was just a lucky shot. Every frame is carefully considered, and the chaos is constructed with careful attention to detail. The plot of the movie, which was written by Aasmaan and Vishal, is really fascinating. Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi, the film's cinematographer, handles the nighttime shooting with ease. A. Sreekar Prasad, the editor, makes Kuttey engaging and concise. The music of Vishal Bhardwaj is pleasant to listen.

Kuttey is a film that is mindful of its purpose and too intelligent for a first-time director.