Why would you kill? Either for a reason OR just no reason at all.
Vishal Bhardwaj articulates his latest film 7 Khoon Maaf around a convenient (confused?) middle path where Susanna (Priyanka Chopra) kills off her beaus one by one for, ah well, SOME reason! With each marriage Susanna is subjected to domestic violence, rape, mental abuse, blackmail and more and, she avenges for every bit of it! By the end of it all, you are neither sympathetic towards her, nor do you loathe her whole heartily for going the extreme route each time. Only if as much attention was paid to HOW as opposed to WHY, you would not be so bored.
The screenplay drags as though a novel, only difference being chapters seemed to be dropped out of choice. You keep wondering if at least one murder is going to be either witty, or intelligent. An extremely monotonous Priyanka Chopra fails to add any layers to an expansive character and is a huge let down whereas the husbands are just overacting their way to a stupid death, even Naseer. Music fails to save any grace and ends up sounding more like just Vishal Bhardawaj inspired. Cinematography is excellent, though only in parts. The low lit European approach by Ranjan Palit suits the gloomy mood of the film but doesn't add much to take the story forward and seems like the only aesthetic choice that works in favour of the film.
Closely following Yeh Saali Zindagi, 7 khoon disappoints and makes you wonder if two of the most awe inspiring film makers of our time have become slaves of their own craft. Why is it that we either get the content wrong, or the craft?!?
Vishal sir, you were given a maafi for Kaminey, please note you are too much of a genius to ask for it 7 baar!!!
