Review of A Wednesday! (2008) by Krishna S — 13 Sep 2008

A Wednesday is arguably the most powerful film to come out of Bollywood in many years. It is that perfect marriage of technique, performance and story. In 2 hours, the director packs in a punch, though a bit unbelievable, leaves you enough food for thought to last for a long time.

The movie tackles the theme of terrorism in an effective manner and shows the perspectives of both, the state and the citizen. It even dares to enter into the domain of the relationship between the two and the responsibilities of each towards the other.

The story is as follows: what starts as a routine bomb threat with demand for release of terrorists quickly develops into something else altogether. The story is packed with powerhouse performances by Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher.

The showdown between the two stalwarts in the climax is a sight to behold. The performance of Aamir Bashir and Jimmy Shergill is also extremely effective. The script is tight. The editing is crisp. There is not a single dull moment in the film.

The end may draw diverse reactions from the moviegoer but that is only a part of the success of the film. The dialogues are fabulous and some of the best I have heard in years. They are real, authentic and powerful without being preachy or sermonizing.

Overall, A Wednesday is the best thriller to come out of Bollywood in years. Moreover, it has something relevant to say about the times we live in. Do yourself a favour, watch it! Solid Recommendation!