Vadh Review {2/5} & Review Rating
Mega Star's VADH, directed by N.S.R., is a murder mystery.
Dr. Arjun Singh (Nana Patekar) is a psychiatrist by profession. One fine night, a serial killer (Raju Mavani) escapes from his prison ward after killing three wardens. The city is in a grip of fear, with people wondering whose turn will be next.
The next morning, another murder takes place and this time the victim happens to be Aryan's (Puru Raaj Kumar) girl friend. Aryan, a wealthy person, is Dr. Arjun Singh's childhood friend.
Inspector Vijay Singh (new-find Nakul), brother of Dr. Arjun Singh, is sure that Aryan has committed the murder, although he has no proof of it.
A few days later, Aryan's second girl friend is also found murdered under mysterious circumstances. The terror intensifies as the serial killer now plans to target Dr. Arjun Singh and his wife Jyoti (Anupama Varma).
Dr. Arjun Singh and the police department are sure that the serial killer is responsible for all the killings, although Vijay strongly feels that Aryan is the culprit.
The police decide to shift Dr. Arjun Singh and his wife to a safe place, but the serial killer strikes again. Who's the next victim? And why does he want to eliminate Dr. Arjun Singh and his wife?
The mystery deepens�
An edge-of-the-seat murder mystery, it keeps you guessing throughout as to who the killer is. And that's where VADH scores, for the identity of the killer is kept concealed, till the killer himself reveals it all in the climax.
The highlights of the film are the initial sequences [when the serial killer escapes from the jail], the interval point [when Anupama Varma and Nana Patekar feel the presence of the serial killer in their house] and a gripping second half. But the best part of the film is the spine-chilling climax.
The first half of the film is just about okay. The romantic track between Nakul and Meghana Kothari isn't exciting, although the film does boast of a few well-penned and well-executed sequences. But the goings-on pick up in the second half.
A taut screenplay, the dialogues and the background score heighten the overall impact of the film. However, the only department where the film suffers is its music (Vishal-Shekhar), which is of a mediocre variety.
Barring the Jagjit Singh song, 'Bahut Khoobsurat Hain Aankhen Tumhari', the remaining songs are ordinary. The Shweta Menon number, 'Kamsin Kali Hoon Tu Mujhko Khila De', holds appeal for the hoi polloi. Cinematography (Peter Periera, Devraj) is up to the mark.
It's after a long time that you see Nana Patekar in complete form, essaying a complex role with amazing ease. There's no denying the fact that he carries the film on his shoulders and emerges triumphant. He is simply outstanding in the climax.
Anupama Varma looks raw at places. However, her expressions in a few scenes are alright. Puru Raaj Kumar is efficient as a casanova. Nakul is first-rate. Despite being pitted opposite established names, he makes his presence felt. Meghana Kothari doesn't impress. Aroon Bakshi is passable. Raju Mavani delivers a fine performance.
On the whole, VADH is an engrossing murder mystery that should be appreciated by those who love films of this genre. However, the film needs to be promoted aggressively in order to carve a niche for itself in the face of heavy competition from other big releases.