I m huge cricket fan & was equally shocked when in 1998 I heard big cricket names involved in throwing matches . Names who were worshipped like God . Suprisingly no Hindi movie has ever tried to make a film out of this issue , which is one every cricket loving Indian ( which are quite a few in number ) could relate to . so its no surprise that it is the controversial Bahtts who have made a film Jannat on it . Bhatts are the boldest producers of the all as they have always invested in newcomers & have produced some of the best talents – Anurag Basu , Kangana Ranaut , Kunal khemu , Mohit Suri , etc that exist in films . they also follow the formula with a twist added to it & make movies for a larger audience rather than only for multiplexes . Jaannat is exactly like that .
Story of a compulsive liar & a gambler who wants fast money at any cost . he has a sixth sense in cricket which knows what will happen & Joins the betting bandwagon as a result . he makes a lot of money , but he wants more which he gets with the help of a don who encourages him to lure cricketers & throw matches . He does all this for his love . Yes the film is weaved through a love story which is quite normal & formulaic the man in the wrong path , the lady trying to rectify him – we have seen it hundred times . but what makes it different is CRICKET & BETTING SAGA . the bold dialuges help , so do some interesting pinpoints at some cricketers & cricketing tales including the black episode of Woolmer killing . this is what makes Jannat a superb & interesting watch . the climax is another highpoint as had the movie finished in any other way it would have doomed . Kunal deshmukh deserves full praise for his writing & execution & is someone to watch out for .
The songs are superb too, something which is expected from the Bhatts & so are its placement in the movie as it never interferes in the narrative . The supporting cast esp Samir kocchar is brilliant . the new girl needs to sharpen up her acting but is beautiful & can show some cleavage . but what holds Jannat in even its average moments in Emraan Hashmi who has given a superb performance in a film completely on his shoulders . he is restrained & natural . not once is their an inch of overacting . you feel for the character because of his convincing performance . cinematography is good & neat something
On the whole Jannat is a superb watch & makes u think wether cricket is really still a gentle mans game
