Feedback Form
WITHOUT GIVING THE MOVIE AWAY (Hindi movie reviews...and a little more)
Not sure which movie to watch today? Check out the genre by rating table
Find reviews by or or or

Review - Johnny Gaddar

28th September 2007 | posted in Hindi Movies, Reviews, meetu |

Looks like youre new here. You may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Alternate Names: JG, Johnny Gadar, Johny Gaddar, Johny Gadar

Rating: Watch for sure - preferably in theatre (Rating Scale)

Movie Info, Detailed ratings, To each his own, Buy

Gripping entertainment

Quick Review

It was refreshing to use my brain while watching a movie and finding out that the moviemakers have also done the same while making it. Not flawless, but completely entertaining, Johnny Gaddar is a must watch!

Rating: Watch for sure - preferably in theatre (Rating Scale)

Story - brilliant, colors - vibrant, camerawork - creative, sound - unobtrusive, editing - slick, entire team - smart! Sorry, director saahab, I have run out of adjectives, so choose a superlative for yourself and I’ll agree.

What do I say? Where do I start? I must admit, it is the most difficult to write about a suspense thriller “without giving the movie away”. Any specifics that I would like to talk about will contribute to you knowing a bit about the movie. And that would be a crime in this genre. So, here is my attempt at being as unambiguous as possible.

This movie will be talked about a lot for the stylish homage the director pays to the people/styles of movie-making that have inspired him. And for a good reason too. The beauty with which the tributes have been interwoven with the narrative is not something one should write or read about. It has to be watched and applauded. Watch out for the way the subtle tribute to Anand has blended with and become a part of the story.

Acting - one of the departments missing from the list above - is not at its best. Dharmendra deserved far fewer lines considering his dialogue delivery was rather monotonous. Neil Nitin Mukesh is quite flat in some scenes, but overall, he has grasped and enacted the nuances of his character really well. For me, Vinay Pathak was the show stealer. In general, the versatility of this actor is just incredible!

Dialogues - my disappointment with this area might have more to do with the expectations set by the first 15-20 minutes of the movie. The general mysterious tone set in the beginning is missing at certain points later on. Especially, in the climax, keeping the dialogue enigmatic would have had much more impact. But, I am sure it was a balance the director must have struggled with - leave it to the audience to decipher or spoon-feed them.

What impressed me the most was how much I enjoyed the movie despite being a little dissatisfied with the two main departments of the movie - the two most visible ones. Though acting and dialogues are not necessarily the selling points of a movie in this genre. Just goes to show what a long way treatment of material can take a movie.

Click here to read what I scribbled on my notepad while watching this movie (what worked and what didn’t for me). Might contain spoilers!

Click here to see what 27 other reviewers/viewers think. Average rating 4.8 / 5.0: 25 thumbs up, 2 so-so, 0 thumbs down.
If you enjoyed reading this, please help maintain this site with a donation

- Meetu, a part of the audience

Rating: Watch for sure - preferably in theatre (Rating Scale)

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction: 3.5 Story: 4
Lead Actors: 3 Supporting Cast: 3.5
Dialogues: 3.5 Screenplay: 4.5
Music: 4 Lyrics: 3

Johnny Gaddar - Details

Director, Story: Sriram Raghavan
Supporting Cast: Ashwini Kalsekar, Rimi Sen, Shiva
Genre: Suspense, Thriller, Crime
Official Website: Johnny Gaddar
Duration: 2:20 hrs (approx.)

13 comments

Articles linking here

  1. PutVote.com
  2. Johnny Gaddar - Movie Talk - xenoMED
  3. Roundup…. No Title « Missing Economy of Words
  1. 1 On October 2nd, 2007, sandeep shetty said:

    brilliant thriller!one of the most intelligent movies that has come out of indian cinema and a different movie in the real sense.go watch it!

  2. 2 On October 4th, 2007, Amar said:

    A must watch. Intelligent movie. No typical bolly crap. Great work by everyone. Lead actor impressive. Nice Very nice movie.

  3. 3 On October 8th, 2007, Surya Nagvanshi said:

    I loved this movie! The young Neil is fab. Story is brilliant! Amazing..!

  4. 4 On October 23rd, 2007, Nitin said:

    Johnny Gaddar is a must watch!…Very Good Movie.

    It shows that those who do big crimes are not forgiven.

  5. 5 On October 27th, 2007, sattar said:

    rimi and mukki looking good, once again hats off to shanker ehsaan and loy for beutiful composition a must watch movie. sattar dubai.

  6. 6 On November 12th, 2007, Ashwin Sopori said:

    Amazing - directors like Sriram Raghavan exist in Bollywood !!!
    Superb edge of the seat thriller.
    However if you are reading this Sriram,
    Ek Haseens Thee was a notch above Jhonny G

  7. 7 On January 5th, 2008, Poonam said:

    Meetu, I have just one word for your web site. Fantastic!

    I just watched Johnny Gaddar and just searched it on web in a dazed state. I landed on your web site. Some of your observations I agree with and some I disagree with. But best part is the observations you make about camera angles and cinematography that I can never make when I watch a movie for the first time. I can analyse only in second viewing. But you could do it and put ir comprehensively on your blog deserves a BIG thumbs up!

    Keep on writing, will be a regular now on. :)

  8. 8 On January 10th, 2008, meetu said:

    Thanks, Poonam!

  9. 9 On January 12th, 2008, Amit Kumar said:

    A must watch movie for suspense lovers. The story is so gripping that you won’t move from your seat. A good use of old music in this movie.

  10. 10 On January 27th, 2008, Danny Gaddar said:

    Woww.. is the word i can start with .. lol …what a movie.. yes without songs..but he didnt want to deviate the story with songs…all the more i could say.. EXCELLENT AND PERFECT HOLLYWOOD INDIAN MOVIE>>

    Dan

And what do you think...

  • Ads

All reviews arranged by genre and rating
Must see - on the big screen Watch for sure - preferably in theatre Wait for video release Watch if you have nothing better to do Switch channels if it’s on cable!
Action Batman - The Dark Knight Don
Get Smart
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Forbidden Kingdom
Kidnap
Race
Risk
The Kingdom
Cash
Dhoom 2
Hijack
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Shootout At Lokhandwala
Love Story 2050
Mr White Mr Black
Mummy - Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Speed
Tashan
Adventure The Forbidden Kingdom Drona
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Animation Ratatouille Krishna
Return of Hanuman
Dashavatar
Based on true life story 21
Parzania
Black Friday
Shootout At Lokhandwala
Biography A Mighty Heart Gandhi my father
Provoked
Comedy Lage Raho Munnabhai Bheja Fry
Cheeni Kum
Ek Chalis Ki Last Local
Get Smart
Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Kabul Express
Ratatouille
Welcome to Sajjanpur
Bachna Ae Haseeno
Bhoothnath
De Taali
Jab We Met
Pyar Ke Side Effects
Salaam-e-Ishq
Bhool Bhulaiyaa
God Tussi Great Ho
Hello
Hulla
I See You
Khosla ka Ghosla
Mumbai Salsa
Namastey London
Naqaab
Om Shanti Om
Saas Bahu Aur Sensex
Sunday
Ugly aur Pagli
Darling
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Kya Love Story Hai
Mr White Mr Black
Tashan
Crime Don
Ek Chalis Ki Last Local
Johnny Gaddar
Manorama Six Feet Under
Traffic Signal
Contract
Dus Kahaniyaan
It’s Breaking News
Risk
Righteous Kill
Shootout At Lokhandwala
Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag
Welcome
Dark Comedy Mithya
Must see - on the big screen Watch for sure - preferably in theatre Wait for video release Watch if you have nothing better to do Switch channels if it’s on cable!
Diaspora Khuda Ke Liye
The Namesake
Loins of Punjab Presents Namastey London Marigold
Docu-drama Summer 2007
Drama Batman - The Dark Knight 1971
21
A Mighty Heart
Aamir
Apna Asmaan
CHAKDE! INDIA
Dor
Guru
Kabul Express
Khuda Ke Liye
Nanhe Jaisalmer
Parzania
Shaurya
Tahaan
the blue umbrella
The Namesake
Traffic Signal
Umrao Jaan
Bhoothnath
Bow Barracks Forever
Contract
De Taali
Dus Kahaniyaan
Gandhi my father
Hope and a little sugar
Jab We Met
Jannat
Metro
Provoked
Pyar Ke Side Effects
Risk
Sarkar Raj
The Last Lear
thoda pyaar thoda magic
U Me Aur Hum
Water
Woh Lamhe
Bhoot Unkle
Black Friday
Halla Bol
Hello
Jodhaa Akbar
Khosla ka Ghosla
Khoya Khoya Chand
Kismat Konnection
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Righteous Kill
Saawariya
Shootout At Lokhandwala
Zindaggi Rocks
Bas Ek Pal
delhiiheights
Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal
Mehbooba
Mission Istanbul
Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag
Shakalaka Boom Boom
Family Tare Zameen Par Apna Asmaan
The Namesake
Baabul
Gandhi my father
Hope and a little sugar
Nishabd
Ta Ra Rum Pum
Khosla ka Ghosla
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Mere Baap Pehle Aap
Gauri The Unborn
Vivah
Waqt
Fantasy Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii
Nanhe Jaisalmer
the blue umbrella
Bhoot Unkle
Saawariya
Heist Cash
Dhoom 2
History Jodhaa Akbar
Horror 1920
Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Phoonk
Gauri The Unborn
Must see - on the big screen Watch for sure - preferably in theatre Wait for video release Watch if you have nothing better to do Switch channels if it’s on cable!
Kids Tare Zameen Par Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii
Nanhe Jaisalmer
Ratatouille
the blue umbrella
Bhoothnath
Krishna
Return of Hanuman
Ta Ra Rum Pum
thoda pyaar thoda magic
Bhoot Unkle
Dashavatar
Drona
Hari Puttar
Melodrama Aaja Nachle Baabul
Ta Ra Rum Pum
Eklavya
Karzzzz
Namastey London
Om Shanti Om
Aap Kaa Suroor
Aryan
Kya Love Story Hai
Marigold
Vivah
Waqt
Murder Mystery Sunday Red
Murder Suspense Strangers
Musical Lage Raho Munnabhai Aaja Nachle Heyy Babyy
Jab We Met
Salaam-e-Ishq
Jaan-E-Mann
Om Shanti Om
Saawariya
Zindaggi Rocks
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Marigold
Shakalaka Boom Boom
Mythological Return of Hanuman Dashavatar
Mythology Krishna
Noir Ek Chalis Ki Last Local
Manorama Six Feet Under
No Smoking
Bow Barracks Forever
Dhokha
Mithya
Nishabd
Woh Lamhe
Must see - on the big screen Watch for sure - preferably in theatre Wait for video release Watch if you have nothing better to do Switch channels if it’s on cable!
Patriotism 1920
Politics Khuda Ke Liye
Manorama Six Feet Under
Dhokha
Gandhi my father
Sarkar Raj
Halla Bol
Jodhaa Akbar
Relationships Apna Asmaan
Dor
Rock On
The Namesake
Dus Kahaniyaan
Gandhi my father
Jab We Met
Metro
Nishabd
Khosla ka Ghosla
Khoya Khoya Chand
Mere Baap Pehle Aap
Mumbai Salsa
Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaaa
Waqt
Religion 1920
Romance Cheeni Kum
Guru
Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Traffic Signal
Umrao Jaan
Bachna Ae Haseeno
De Taali
Dhokha
Heyy Babyy
Hope and a little sugar
Jaane Tu ya jaane na
Jab We Met
Jannat
Metro
Nishabd
Pyar Ke Side Effects
Salaam-e-Ishq
Ta Ra Rum Pum
U Me Aur Hum
Woh Lamhe
Bhool Bhulaiyaa
I See You
Jaan-E-Mann
Jodhaa Akbar
Khoya Khoya Chand
Kismat Konnection
Mere Baap Pehle Aap
Mumbai Salsa
Namastey London
Om Shanti Om
Partner
Saawariya
Sunday
Ugly aur Pagli
Zindaggi Rocks
Aap Kaa Suroor
Aryan
Bas Ek Pal
Bombay to Bangkok
Darling
delhiiheights
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana
Kya Love Story Hai
Love Story 2050
Marigold
Mehbooba
Shakalaka Boom Boom
Vivah
Welcome
Satire Loins of Punjab Presents
Valu ( Marathi )
Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam
Sci-fi Transformers
Science Fiction Love Story 2050
Must see - on the big screen Watch for sure - preferably in theatre Wait for video release Watch if you have nothing better to do Switch channels if it’s on cable!
Slapstick Dhamaal
Heyy Babyy
C Kkompany
Dhol
Jaan-E-Mann
Krazzy 4
Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam
Mere Baap Pehle Aap
One Two Three
Partner
Singh is Kinng
Apna Sapna Money Money
Bhagam Bhag
Bombay to Bangkok
Bombay to Goa
buddha mar gaya
Hari Puttar
Hattrick
Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana
Money Hai To Honey Hai
Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaaa
Welcome
Social Lage Raho Munnabhai
Tare Zameen Par
1971
A Mighty Heart
A Wednesday
Aaja Nachle
Aamir
CHAKDE! INDIA
Kabul Express
Khuda Ke Liye
No Smoking
Parzania
Ramchand Pakistani
Summer 2007
Tahaan
Traffic Signal
Welcome to Sajjanpur
Baabul
Dhokha
Hope and a little sugar
It’s Breaking News
Mumbai Meri Jaan
Provoked
Return of Hanuman
Valu ( Marathi )
Water
Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Black and White
Black Friday
C Kkompany
Halla Bol
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Sunday
Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal
Gauri The Unborn
Money Hai To Honey Hai
Spoof Salaam-e-Ishq Om Shanti Om
Sport Jannat
Sports Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii
CHAKDE! INDIA
Ta Ra Rum Pum Aryan
Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal
Hattrick
Suspense Johnny Gaddar
Manorama Six Feet Under
Checkmate ( Marathi )
Dus Kahaniyaan
Race
Via Darjeeling
Aggar
Naqaab
Sunday
Bas Ek Pal
Darling
Speed
Terrorism A Mighty Heart
A Wednesday
Khuda Ke Liye
Parzania
Tahaan
Contract
Dhokha
Mumbai Meri Jaan
Black and White
Black Friday
Hijack
Mission Istanbul
Thriller 1971
A Wednesday
Aamir
Don
Ek Chalis Ki Last Local
Johnny Gaddar
Manorama Six Feet Under
Michael Clayton
The Bourne Ultimatum
Checkmate ( Marathi )
Kidnap
Mithya
Race
Strangers
The Kingdom
1920
Aggar
Deadline - Sirf 24 Ghante
Eklavya
Hijack
Naqaab
Righteous Kill
Aap Kaa Suroor
Red
Speed
Must see - on the big screen Watch for sure - preferably in theatre Wait for video release Watch if you have nothing better to do Switch channels if it’s on cable!
Tragedy Umrao Jaan Woh Lamhe Khoya Khoya Chand
War 1971
Kabul Express
Jodhaa Akbar