Producer: Mukesh Bhatt
Director: Hasnain Hyderabadwala, Raksha Mistry
Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Nisha Kothari, Irrfan Khan
Music: Sajid-Wajid

  Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt are at it again! It seems Hollywood inspiration won’t go off them easily. Though in the recent times we’ve watched some novel and original films from the Bhatt camp like ‘Zeher’, ‘Kalyug’, and ‘Gangster’, with ‘The Killer’ they again go back to the roots and remake a film out of Michael Mann’s’ Collateral. However the good part of the enterprise is that this story hasn’t been attempted before in the Hindi territory, and the audience won’t get a hint of it if they haven’t watched the original before.

‘The Killer’ is appealing and interesting for its plot, premise and execution. With good names like Emraan Hashmi and Irrfan Khan and their vibe on the screen takes the film further. Like Tom and Jerry they keep the game going, keeping you on the edge most of the time. They make the film lively, interesting, and witty with bits of humor. Debutante directors Raksha Mistry and Hasnain Hyderabadwala has interpreted the film such so that the Bollywood audience gets justified. They excel in spinning serious and tense situations into comforting and humorous moments. With apt pace and good editing, the director duos succeed in disguising the flaws in the writing department. All these positive aspects take ‘The Killer’ through a smooth ride.

The story is about a killer Vickram (Irrfan Khan) and a commoner Nikhil (Emraan Hashmi), who are forced to spend one night together on the road owing to circumstances.  Giving more details about the backdrop, Nikhil is a jolly person living in Dubai. He enjoys life and at the same time works hard too to earn lots of money but doesn’t believe in going against the law for it. He does two jobs in day and at night drives a cab to establish his goal of owning a private travel agency. Rhea (Nisha Kothari) is his girlfriend and a bar dancer by profession whom he wishes to marry.

Vickram boards Nikhil’s cab just as a passenger. Nikhil soon realizes that he is not an ordinary man but a stronger, powerful and dangerous criminal. He is ‘The Killer’ who murders people for his benefits and is most wanted person by the Interpol. Vickram has a mission that night too and his purpose is to eliminate a number of people. Nikhil is given the job to take Vickram round the city where he’ll kill people. Nikhil becomes a part of the deadly game not by choice, but because his destiny wants him to be if he wishes to live. Nikhil has no way out and the more he wants to free himself the more he gets trapped by the Killer. Till the mission is complete Vickram just won’t let him go. Rhea also ends herself becoming a part of the whirlpool. Nikhil to save his life and Rhea’s plans to counter attack the man. But that means he too will have to become a Killer! Follows an exciting adventure that promises to keep the viewer on the edge of the seat.

‘The Killer’ begins in an ordinary manner with the love angle of Emraan and Nisha but the emergence of Irrfan soon changes track into an exhilarating story. With twists and turns the drama progresses, where execution takes an upper hand leading to the post-interval portions hitting the bulls eye. The climax just leaves you biting your nail in excitement. But the scripting and screenplay flaws keep popping up simultaneously. Raksha and Hasnain steers direction with efficiency. The film is also technically satisfying. Cinematography is commendable. Sajid-Wajid's music is functional. Dialogues are catchy.

Emraan alongside Irrfan is awesome and leaves his mark in the film. Irrfan is brilliant through out the film and he portrays the eccentric character with amazing profundity. Nisha Kothari shows off her anatomy more than her skills. Zakir Hussain, Avtar Gill and Bharti Achrekar are apt.

‘The Killer’ is an entraining thriller that excites you throughout. It should captivate the audience and make a profit out of its medium budget.