'Mumbai Saga' movie review: John Abraham-starrer hits the right notes

Cast: John Abraham, Emraan Hashmi, Kajal Aggarwal, Mahesh Manjrekar, Mahesh Manjrekar and Rohit Roy

Director: Sanjay Gupta

Rating: 3/5

Director Sanjay Gupta's latest movie Mumbai Saga is a paisa vasool action drama that is likely to click with actor John Abraham's die-hard fans. The biggie revolves around the showdown between a gangster and a cop while highlighting the dark side of the underworld. There is nothing exceptional about the storyline but it has enough 'masala' to satisfy the masses.

The plot reaches its potential due to effective writing. The screenplay relies on showing as opposed to telling making it easier for fans to relate to the Mumbai Saga world. The action scenes did a splendid job of adding to the aura surrounding John's character. A sequence set in a jail is also as 'massy' as anything can be.

The washroom fight is another highlight of Mumbai Saga. The scenes focussing on the hero's personal life and his bond with his brother add depth to the narrative. The Jism actor's chemistry with the leading lady Kajal Aggarwal, however, lacks the X factor.

The pace drops a bit in a few sequences here and there, which may dilute the experience a bit. The climax also lacks the organic intensity needed to make an impact. The film also comes across as a bit predictable at times. These, however, are not major issues in the grand scheme of things.

Coming to performances, John is the heart and soul of Mumbai Saga. His intense expressions and ripping body language add a new dimension to his character. He carries off the action scenes with ease, consolidating his standing as a mass hero. Kajal, as alluded to previously, gets limited scope. Emraan Hashmi makes his presence felt despite not being 'the star' of the movie. His dialogue delivery goes a long way in humanising his character. He holds his own against John in the fight scenes, which is no mean feat.

Mahesh Manjrekar is brilliant in a role that proves to be the surprise package of Mumbai Saga. Suniel Shetty and Gulshan Grover are underutilised, which is a pity as their characters had potential. Rohit Roy makes his presence felt despite being burdened with a generic character.

The rest of the cast are pretty good and serve their purpose.

The cinematography is up to the mark and creates the right type of environment. There is limited scope for music and the makers wisely refrain from putting in songs just for the heck of it. The background score could have been better as it felt generic at points. The editing could also have been a bit tighter, especially towards the end. The other technical aspects are up to the mark.