Film: The Train

Director: Raksha Mistry and Hasnain Hyderabadwala

Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Sayali Bhagat, Geeta Basra, Ananth Mahadevan, Suresh Menon

Rating: 2/5

A nightmare is having a train get derailed from its tracks and chase you through the streets… or you could live it by watching The Train immediately after having seen the Jeniffer Aniston starrer Derailed.

So there’s, Vishal (Emraan Hashmi), Anjali (Sayali Bhagat) with their five year old diabetic daughter Nikki, living in Bangkok. On one hand they are trying to salvage their marriage and on the other fighting to save their child.

Since the marriage is no heaven for vishal, on his way to work he meets Roma (Geeta Basra) on the train. With instant attraction paving the way for the action later on, they give into temptation. While it begins with coffee and late night dinners, the passion consumes them. That night a mysterious man walks in and interrupts the ongoings. Soon enough the blackmailing and threatening and the fight to save lives begins. But a shock awaits Vishal, one that you have long figured out.

This adaptation/inspiration/recreation or whatever you may call it is so inane, not for the fact that it is similar to an existing film but simply because of its setting. You are left figuring out the environment more often than not, something that you cannot even relate to, and that is not even consequential to the story.

Moreover the confusion lies in the non cohesive manner in which the story is told. Jumping from one situation to another, the only thing you take along are those images of the screen flashing. The dialogues too are disappointing.

The editing is frightful, the flashes and the million other effects have you believe it is a horror flick. The placement of scenes at random does not help in telling the story either. Also the sudden bursting out into song sequences distances you from being engrossed in the film.

On the plus side, the camerawork is decent. Though one would like to see more exploring camera movements, the one offered is just fine. The music by Mithoon is enjoyable and the songs are well choreographed.

While the film is not told convincingly it still is an average watch more so because of the actors. While Hashmi does a Hashmi and well at that; the female leads are on a trip of their own. Debutant actress and former Miss India, Bhagat delivers a cold performance. Basra shines through most parts, till her expressions begin seeming repetitive. Menon, Bedi and Merchant put up great acts.

The train may very well be on the right track at the box office. It just might get a fair opening, but then due to the unconvincing content will fail to pull crowds for a long. Also the vast number of films releasing this week will pose as stiff competition for the film.