Talaash: **1/2

He gave the biggest Bollywood blockbuster and then disappeared for 3 years (mainstream lead roles). Now he is back with a new mystery, a new enigma, a new role with a new look. Any Aamir Khan movie is anticipated anyway throughout the year with curiosity and these factors are bound to raise the curiosity level only higher. Released on 30^th Nov, Talaash is Aamir Khan's new movie also starring Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor.

Surjan Sinh Shekhawat (AK) is a cop interrogating a car accident case of film star Armaan Kapoor (Vivan Bhatena) who dies in this mysterious accident. Armaan's wife informs Surjan that he had taken Rs. 20 L on the day of the accident. This confession triggers the suspicion of blackmailing and the investigation leads them to a pander named Shashi who is found dead with cash of Rs. 20 L. With further investigation the case gets more complicated. On the other hand, dealing with a personal loss of his son's death, Surjan and his wife Roshni (Rani Mukerji) are going through a delicate phase of their married life. Terribly hurt by his son's death, Surjan believes that it was because of his carelessness their son died and this melancholy takes a toll on him thus stresses his relation with his wife who feels totally left alone as Surjan stays aloof most of the time in distress. The investigation of Armaan's accident and then Sashi's involvement and death leads Surjan to a near by red light area in which Sashi used to operate where he meets a prostitute Rosie (Kareena Kapoor). Rosie gives some credible clues in the case. Already broken and emotionally drained from the personal tragedy, Surajn finds a comforting mate in Rosie and starts meeting her regularly. In the meanwhile, Sashi's friend Tehmur (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) who was interrogated by police in Sashi's murder matter finds a CD in Sashi's room which has some sensitive information about Armaan Kapoor. He attempts to extort money from the number he got from Sashi's stolen sim card and gets killed. Police manged to get the contract killer who reveals the name of Armaan's friend Kejriwal. When Surjan goes to arrest Kejriwal the pendora's box gets opened and Rosie appears to be the central character in this entire case. What happens next and and how Surjan solves the case is the crux of the story.

Unlike anticipated, Talaash is not an age-of-the-seat suspense thriller but a mix of suspense, thriller and and emotional drama. It succeeds in keeping the audience engaged almost throughout the film with its twists and turns. Reema Kagti's direction is good and she manages to generate curiosity with timely twists which is well supported by some impressive cinematography. One sequence between Surajan and Rosie in which they are in a hotel room where Surjan succumbs to the grief, guilt and pain bursting within while being caressed by Rosie proves the maturity of the director the way it is shown so aesthetically and emotionally while keeping the essence alive. The title sequence is brilliantly shot with groovy score of “Muskaanein joothi hai” which effectively shows coexistence of two different worlds in Mumbai's underbelly. While the overall script co-written by Zoay Akhtar and Reem Kagti is good, the climax of the movie is lamely written. Ram Sampat's music is good but back ground score could have been better.

Talaash stands out for some fine performances by entire starcast. Aamir Khan is at his usual best in a challenging role of a tough police officer and an emotionally drained father and a husband. His character has many layers and he pulls it off almost perfectly well. Though there are a few scenes in which he looks a little mediocre but he manages to pull it through. Rani Mukerji in her small role as Roashni looks very real and impresses (Though she has not much to do in the movie). Kareena Kapoor in an important role of Rosie looks sensuous and sultry and looks totally in her elements. There is definitely something about her the way she flirts with camera and compels the audience to ogle at her. Nawazuddin Siddiqui stands out in this multi starrer film with his brilliant acting and well evolved role.

Talaash works for its gripping story and superb performances but it is not flawless. While it captivates us throughout the movie, it loses the grip when it matters the most. The climax of the movie is loosely handled both the way it is written and directed. And due to this Talaash remains a good movie but not a brilliant one.