Review of the Movie 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai

Ekta Kapoor is a well known name in the world of Films and TV shows. She is the daughter of yesteryear star Jitender, who at one time was a heart throb for a past generation. She has now produced a film on the underworld as it existed almost 3 decades back.
The fim makes compelling viewing and the director has captured the sinister mood of the gangster world at that time. Starring Ajay Devgun, Imran Hashmi and Kangana Raut the film is an excellent expose of that period. We must remember that at time the Moslem-smuggler nexus had just commenced and had started spreading its tentacles into the film world. The film recaptures that era with startling and clinical efficiency.
The story revolves around two diverse characters who take to crime and smuggling through separate paths. One is a destitute and the other the son of a policeman. Ajay Devgun plays the role of the destitute who comes from Madras to Bombay and makes it his home. He rises up the social ladder through smuggling and then also gains respectability by joining politics. He gives an excellent brooding performance which the role requires. In contrast Imran plays the second character who also rises up in the crime graph, but his means are violent and he uses the gun with telling effect. However Imran Hasmi fails to do justice to the role and in comparison to Ajay turns in a damp performance.
The glamour is provided by Kangana Raut who look alluring, but as the film is entirely hero oriented she has not much to do and gets little chance to display her histrionic ability. But she is a lovely girl and looking at her one is reminded of the famous Hollywood star Audrey Hepburn. Perhaps directors may give her more heroine oriented roles. The other girl who plays the lead as the love of Imran Prachi Desai is passable.
But the man who scores over all is Ranbir Hooda as the brooding policeman who keeps the tab on Ajay and Imran. He turns in a stupendous performance and more than holds holds his own against the established stars. The music and background score fit in well with the movie and the direction and editing good.

The film is thought of as a replica of the Don Haji Mastan's life. It is nothing like that, though an allusion to Abu Salem can be sensed. Incidentally Abu Salem is in a Mumbai jail. All in all the movie makes excellent viewing and the director and producer deserve credit for making an off beat film that captures the Imagination of the public at large.