Director: Shankar
Cast: Amrish Puri, Anil Kapoor, Johny Lever, Rani Mukherjee
Music: A R Rahman

Director Shankar attempts a political thriller with ‘Nayak’. The film is a remake of Tamil blockbuster ‘Mudhalvan’. It has an interesting storyline but the story doesn’t turn as engrossing due to the treatment by Shankar. The end result is unexciting and dull. It is one of the stories with the tow between the politicians and common man that has been witnessed time and again in Hindi films with a bit different premise here.

The film is a story of a common man Shivaji Rao (Anil Kapoor) a daring television news reporter, passionate towards his job and in pursuit to truth. His attitude makes the people in power turn against him and Chief Minister Balraj Chauhan (Amrish Puri) is one among them. Balraj Chauhan falls into the category of such politician for whom the name of politics has lost its essence. Shivaji Rao one day interrogates the Chief Minister on the pathetic state of affairs. Balraj Chauhan's mockingly answering the questions says him to become chief minister for a day and see the trouble with the job. Unexpectedly Shivaji Rao accepts. He has no notion that this one-day is the one chance that Shivaji Rao needs to change the face of the place. Begins a fierce battle. Rani Mukherji plays Manjari Anil Kapoor’s love interest in the film.

The film has glitz but no soul. From the content to story-telling and direction is otherwise a big letdown here. The film keeps on shuffling from reality and fantasy and confused director Shnakar confuses the audience as well. The initial part looks interesting and looks forward to the proceedings. But how can a man change things within a span of few hours and this appears implausible for the viewers. The post-interval portions lead nowhere in scaling great heights for the film. From politics the focus shifts to romance of Anil and Rani. The fragile points of the film are the half-baked script and Shankar's uninspiring direction. Songs pop up without necessity further making you impatient.

A.R. Rahman's music is a mixed bag. Cinematography by K.V. Anand is fabulous. Editing by B. Lenin-V.T. Vijayan is loose. Dialogues are first rate. Stunts are good.

Anil Kapoor try to come up with a great performance and he manages fine. But with such a screenplay he doesn’t deliver his best. Rani Mukherji is wasted in the film. Pooja Batra has a miniscule role. Johny Lever's comedy is not interesting. Amrish Puri is good but its Paresh Rawal who leaves his mark in the film.

The film doesn’t reach near to the gargantuan expectations created. It is a disappointing film that’ll just bring woe to distributors.