'Nirdosh': A whodunnit befitting the small screen (IANS Review, Rating: **)

Film: "Nirdosh"; Directors: Subroto Paul, Pradeep Rangwani; Cast: Manjari Fadnis, Arbaaz Khan, Ashmit Patel, Mahek Chahal, Mukul Dev; Rating: **

"Nirdosh" is a predictable yet engaging whodunnit drama.

Shinaya Grover (Manjari Fadnis) is arrested for the murder of her neighbour Rana (Mukul Dev). Evidence at the crime scene implicates Shinaya. She is arrested and taken to prison. The media and everyone else claim that she has not killed Rana.

Shinaya too cries hoarse, pleading that she is not guilty of the murder. Then steps in Crime Branch officer Lokhande, who, with his cheesy lines, claims that he can prove that Shinaya is the culprit.

The entire second act indulges in investigating the murder mystery. Some truths are exposed. Gautam Grover (Ashmit Patel) -- Shinaya's husband, Ada (Mahek Chahal) -- their paying guest, Robin -- Ada's rich boyfriend, Rana's wife and Raj -- his brother-in-law, are all suspects.

In the course of the police interrogations, Ada goes missing and is later found dead. So, to cut a long story short, this is a case of double-murder and the police are hell bent to nail the murderer. Though it is a no-brainer, how Shinaya absolves herself of the crime, forms the crux of the tale.

The performances of the main leads are fairly underrated and perfunctory. Manjari Fadnis as Shinaya is natural and effortless. Mahek Chahal as the aspiring actor Ada adds the glamour quotient while Ashmit Patel is expressionless and Arbaaz Khan is flat toned and uninspiring.

The only actors who breathe life into their characters are Mukul Dev as Rana and the actor who plays Raj. Both with shades of noir to their characters and distinct accents -- Rana in Haryanvi and Raj as the Maharashtrian, politically affiliated local hoodlum -- make interesting characters and they definitely stand out.

The story written by Amit Khan is a well-etched, run-of-the-mill tale. The writing is simply mediocre and unexciting. But like any crime thriller, you are glued to the screen to unravel the mystery.

The action sequences are well-choreographed, especially the chase scene where the police is chasing Robin. It is like watching a gazelle being chased by a panther.

Despite being mounted with moderate production values, the production quality of the film seems fairly decent.

Overall, "Nirdosh" is a crime drama that is a few notches better than the television crime programmes. However, it does lack depth and finesse.

--IANS

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