The speed at which Mohit Suri makes his films, should by common sense hamper the quality of his movies. Here he stands firm again to prove our common sense wrong. With Ek Villain he brings to you a fast paced psychological thriller which keeps you to the edge of your seat at least through the first half. The film is based on the love story of a gangster, who falls in love in the first half and his revenge in the second half. To start with the movie has a very well-paced non linear first half which keeps you guessing and to the edge of your seat. The expectation created in the first half is carried through to the second half which is not below par but a little slower than the first half and sometimes loses the grip over the audience.
The movie has beautiful music and good background score which adds to the tension and keeps you involved in the movie. The script and screenplay is pretty tight throughout. All actors have done a good job. Siddharth Malhotra is one of the best looking actors in Indian movie industry, and though he tries hard, it is hard to believe with his bulked up body and upmarket look that he is a veteran gangster. He acts well in the part where he has to give tough and serious looks but in the scenes which require emotional intensity, his inexperience lets him down. Shradhha has a similar role as in Aashiqui 2.She looks good, vulnerable and fragile which is what actually her character demanded. But the star of the show is Ritesh .First time in his career he has got an opportunity to show his talent and boy doesn't he grabs it. He looks both vulnerable and dangerous and dons both the moods which an admirable ease.He is involved in some of the best scenes of the movie. Supporting cast does their job well. It was a pleasant surprise to see Aamna Sharif and Remo but the biggest surprise in this department is Kamal Rashid Khan who plays a character quite similar to his real life outspoken persona and yes he evokes both disgust and laughter from you.
All in all the movie starts on a very promising note and is very well done in first part but losses on the second part a bit .The movie does well in not being predictable. The songs, cinematography, background score all add to the mood of the film.
This holiday season which is facing movie drought it is definitely a watchable movie. Only those who hate to see cinematic violence and don't get stirred even an inch by a romantic flick should give it a miss.