Film: Murder 3
Cast: Randeep Hooda, Aditi Rao Hyadri, Sara Loren, Rajesh Shringapure, Shekhar Shukla, Bugs Bhargava
Director: Vishesh Bhatt
Producer: Vishesh Films, Fox Star Studios
Writer: Mahesh Bhatt, Hatem Khraiche
Music: Sachin-Jigar
Plot: A top fashion and wildlife photographer Vikram (Randeep Hooda) gets into a relationship with a waitress from a lounge, Nisha (Sara Loren). Nisha moves in with Vikram to his palatial house outside the city, which is as beautiful as scary it is. The house has several secrets that Nisha will soon discover, about the life of the man who made it and Vikram, who is dealing with the mysterious disappearance of his former girlfriend Roshni.
Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama
The defining success of Murder (Anurag Basu; 2004) and Murder 2 (Mohit Suri; 2011), therefore, has led to monumental expectations from Murder 3. But unlike the first two parts, which had a high quotient of erotica, the focus is less on erotica, more on emotions in Murder 3.
A quick clarification before I proceed further! Murder 3 is the official adaptation of the Spanish thriller The Hidden Face (La Cara Oculta), but the Bhatts are known for their strong ingenious sensibilities when it comes to adapting foreign films for the pan-Indian market. Vishesh, the scion of Vishesh Films, seems to have imbibed this thought. For, as the reels of Murder 3 unfold, you realize, Murder 3 may have sourced from the Spanish movie, but Vishesh has Indianized it so damn well. It is not a cut and paste job! One is uncertain about the genre of Murder 3 in the first hour. There are spooky moments and you question yourself, is it about a haunted house? Is it a horror movie? Just when you're about to give up, the variation happens at the onset of the second hour as the chunks begin to fall into place skilfully.
A film-maker is only as good as the story he tells and Vishesh seems to have done his homework well. What he creates in Murder 3 is creditable, contemporary, besides working on the look and sound of the film as much as its content. It rides on the new energy of a young mind and the level of maturity in his very first endeavor surprises you completely. There's no stopping this guy. Music [Pritam, Roxen band] has always been an integral part of Vishesh Films and the soundtrack of MURDER 3 does boast of a couple of lilting tracks that fit so well in the narrative. I'd like to make a special mention of Raju Singh's background score, which is of international standards. There are several silent moments in the narrative and the background score elevates those sequences to an extraordinary altitude altogether. Sunil Patel's cinematography is top notch. He captures the stunning locales of South Africa with finesse. Sanjay Masoomm's dialogue are natural and fit beautifully into the narrative.
Randeep does complete justice to the character he illustrates. Sure, one does miss Emraan Hashmi initially, but once the narrative seizes your attention, Randeep brings alive his character and you don't draw parallels subsequently. Both Aditi and Sara are show-stoppers and deliver knockout performances. Aditi excels in the post-interval portions, while Sara gets a platform to prove her talent in several sequences. Both score and how! Rajesh Shringarpure makes his presence felt. Shekhar Shukla is decent. Bugs Bhargava is efficient.
On the whole, MURDER 3 is one of the finest thrillers to come out of Vishesh Films. An outstanding story narrated with ferocious enthusiasm. Vishesh Bhatt hits a boundary in his very first attempt!
Rating: ***
Madhureeta Mukherjee, Times of India
With more mystery than grisly murders, debutant Vishesh Bhatt works around a story (a remake of a Spanish thriller) that's 'fleshy' enough (minus the sex and eroticism of a 'Murderesque' series) creating an eerie setting, with sombre moods and suspicious characters. He solely relies on the strength of the story without glossed-over effects and style, which is commendable. The first half ghost-walks into a comfort zone (with songs, romance et al); while the second half terrifyingly twists, with raging emotions and shuddering shock value.
Randeep smoothly builds tension with his silent and mysterious performance. Aditi's deranged act and traumatic breakdown at betrayal is impressive. Sara only adds beauty to the horror. The lilting music (Pritam) intonates the thriller. 'Murder 3' is a decent remake, the story stands out in this genre. It thrills in spurts but bleeds in parts. This one's no bloody Valentine, but watch it if you like it twist.
Rating: ***
Sneha May Francis, Emirates24by7
Despite a gripping plot, that’s legally borrowed from Colombian movie ‘The Hidden Face’, the lack of cinematic clarity and any impactful performances, makes ‘Murder 3’ a clumsy thriller. If anything, it does turn, unintentionally, comical at times. Randeep Hooda, despite being hugely talented, appears awkward and uninterested as the snazzy photographer. His absurd hairstyle, unsure body language and tacky costumes don’t match with his wealthy image. He’s hardly the player, he wants us to believe he is.
Aditi Rao Hydari, on the other hand, attempts to paint Roshini in varied shades. She sensitively captures her vulnerability without going over the top. Even her unique sense of humour is endearing. But, she isn’t constant, and therein lies the trouble. Pakistani actress Sara Loren is undoubtedly gorgeous, and flaunts her perfect body. But, like her peers, even she appears wooden and inept in her performance.
Verdict: Take my tip. Read the signs and make a beeline for an exit, unless you have some good company.
Nabanita, Oneindia.in
No wonder, Randeep Hooda is riding higher gradually ever since Jannat. He does a convincing job in the film, by delivering a good performance. Aditi Rao Hydari does an OK job in the film, while Sara Loren too has the potential to make it big in the industry.
Verdict: So far, the film has been quite interesting and gripping. Murder 3 certainly has some spooky moments that might give you goose bumps.
Twitter buzz:
Shraddha Kapoor @ShraddhaKapoor: Saw #Murder3 last night.Was at the edge of my seat & how! A smashing debut by Vishesh Bhatt @supervb ! Big congratulations! @MaheshNBhatt
Mahesh Bhatt @MaheshNBhatt: #MURDER3 is a UA film. No nude is good news.
Harshi @Harshi1003: Watched #murder3...amazing thriller...with a great story..Randeep and Aditi rocks...:))
Gaurav Khilari @gauravkhilari: Yessss :-D"@PhalinShah: Am I the only one who is excited to watch #Murder3 ?"
Adil_Sagar @Adil_Sagar: #Release Vivek Oberoi ki film 'Jayanta Bhai Ki Luv Story' Aur Randeep Hoda Ki film #Murder3 dono aj Release ho rahi hein.
Shomini Sen @shominisen: Randeep Hooda's side flick hairstyle is very distracting. #Murder3
RAJ BANSAL @rajbansal9: The morning show of #Murder3 opens below expectations .
Sneha May Francis, Emirates24by7
Despite a gripping plot, that’s legally borrowed from Colombian movie ‘The Hidden Face’, the lack of cinematic clarity and any impactful performances, makes ‘Murder 3’ a clumsy thriller. If anything, it does turn, unintentionally, comical at times. Randeep Hooda, despite being hugely talented, appears awkward and uninterested as the snazzy photographer. His absurd hairstyle, unsure body language and tacky costumes don’t match with his wealthy image. He’s hardly the player, he wants us to believe he is.
Aditi Rao Hydari, on the other hand, attempts to paint Roshini in varied shades. She sensitively captures her vulnerability without going over the top. Even her unique sense of humour is endearing. But, she isn’t constant, and therein lies the trouble. Pakistani actress Sara Loren is undoubtedly gorgeous, and flaunts her perfect body. But, like her peers, even she appears wooden and inept in her performance.
Verdict: Take my tip. Read the signs and make a beeline for an exit, unless you have some good company.
Nabanita, Oneindia.in
No wonder, Randeep Hooda is riding higher gradually ever since Jannat. He does a convincing job in the film, by delivering a good performance. Aditi Rao Hydari does an OK job in the film, while Sara Loren too has the potential to make it big in the industry.
Verdict: So far, the film has been quite interesting and gripping. Murder 3 certainly has some spooky moments that might give you goose bumps.
Twitter buzz:
Shraddha Kapoor @ShraddhaKapoor: Saw #Murder3 last night.Was at the edge of my seat & how! A smashing debut by Vishesh Bhatt @supervb ! Big congratulations! @MaheshNBhatt
Mahesh Bhatt @MaheshNBhatt: #MURDER3 is a UA film. No nude is good news.
Harshi @Harshi1003: Watched #murder3...amazing thriller...with a great story..Randeep and Aditi rocks...:))
Gaurav Khilari @gauravkhilari: Yessss :-D"@PhalinShah: Am I the only one who is excited to watch #Murder3 ?"
Adil_Sagar @Adil_Sagar: #Release Vivek Oberoi ki film 'Jayanta Bhai Ki Luv Story' Aur Randeep Hoda Ki film #Murder3 dono aj Release ho rahi hein.
Shomini Sen @shominisen: Randeep Hooda's side flick hairstyle is very distracting. #Murder3
RAJ BANSAL @rajbansal9: The morning show of #Murder3 opens below expectations .
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