Raja Natwarlal
2014 · Directed by Kunal Deshmukh
Original language: Hindi
- thriller
- drama
- mystery
- crime
The story
Based on the story of a notorious real-life con man, this twisty Bollywood thriller revolves around cunning fraudster Raja Natwarlal, who pulls off a series of two-bit scams in Mumbai on his way to a big swindle. A small-time con man wants to get into the big leagues and take on a Goliath in the world of scams.
What it’s like
Raja Natwarlal is a Mumbai con-artist caper, and it wears its sheen the way a hustler wears a borrowed suit: glossy, saturated city nights, sodium-orange streetlight spilling over wet asphalt, bright sari and shirt colours against grey concrete, and the crowded, sweaty texture of Mumbai markets and hotel lobbies. Camera moves are quick and playful, with snap zooms, split-second cuts and frequent freeze-frames that flag each deception like a magician's flourish. The score leans on bouncy filmi percussion, brass stabs and synth-pop swells, punctuated by quieter moments when the hustle pauses. Its vibe is slick, breezy and mischievous, a crowd-pleaser with a wink. It suits a Friday night with friends, a playful rewatch, or a long flight where you want something busy and entertaining without much heaviness. Pacing is brisk, with the energy rising toward a string of reversals; the emotional register stays light, with a charming rogue slowly discovering that his grand ambitions cost him something. Violence is minor and mostly comic, with some brief scuffles and chases; romance and mild sensuality appear in song sequences, and there is no gore. For people who want a twisty, stylish caper with humour and music.
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