'Wazir': Intelligently Crafted Emotional Thriller

Farhan Akhtar in an equally dynamic role as an ATS officer and forlorn father, renders a sincere and credible portrayal. His anguish and frustrations as the emotionally drained husband and father, come across strongly on screen.

Aditi Rao Hydari as Ruhana, Danish's wife, merely contributes to the glamour quotient and fails to impress as an actor.

Manav Kaul as the politician Yazaad Qureshi also known as Badshah, although in a fairly predictable role, is convincing and brilliant.

In miniscule roles are Neil Nitin Mukesh, John Abraham and Seema Pahwa and the two child actors, one playing Danish and Ruhana's daughter Noorie, and the other Yazaad Qureshi's daughter Ruhi. The two young girls, however, are well-cast and strike an emotional chord.

In an otherwise serious themed film, the dialogues are perhaps intentionally ebullient and often arouse chuckles, with a view to making the tenor of the film light. The late-night scene, when Panditji introduces Danish to a unique chess session saying, "Vodka peene ke baad, Pandit, mahapandit ban jata hai" is one such instance.

The songs are efficiently used to propel the narration, forward, especially, "Tere bin", and "Ya maula". And the background score punctuates the narration, aptly, making the entire viewing experience exalting.

Cinematographer Sanu John Varghese captures the visuals perfectly, whether it is the action sequences or emotional turmoil. The frames are pure visual delight. What adds to the aesthetics of the frames, is the lighting, which is deliberate. It succeeds in creating the fitting effect, albeit dramatic.

What keeps you immersed to this film, is the captivating story, tight plot and powerful performances. "Wazir" is a must-watch.