Karma - 2009

Story

Recall Chetan Anand's Raaj Kumar - Rajesh Khanna - Vinod Khana - Hema Malini starrer KUDRAT. The film has tremendous recall value for various reasons, especially the lilting musical score ['Hume Tumse Pyaar Kitna, Yeh Hum Nahin Jaante' and other lilting tracks], besides a gripping storyline.

KARMA - CRIME, PASSION, REINCARNATION seems inspired by KUDRAT, but the problem is that the film doesn't have the power to hold your attention after an interesting start. At best, it works in bits and patches, that's it!

Vikram [Carlucci Veyant], estranged and separated from his father Ranvir [Vijayendra Ghatge], for the past thirty years, visits him in Ooty with his bride Anna [Alma Saraci] from New York at her insistence, but only for a day or two.

The moment Anna alights from the train that brings them to the small town, she unwittingly becomes the medium of events including visions of a murder that took place in the woods thirty years ago. Even though Anna had never set foot in Ooty, leave alone India before, she seems very familiar with the surroundings and even some people. Anna begins to questions some people who then see her as a threat.

The nightmares occur more frequently and with more specificity. At first, Vik accuses Anna of having some ingrained psychological problems, which hurts Anna deeply, but when strange inexplicable events happen to Vik himself, he apologizes to Anna. Vik resolves to help Anna and when it is discovered that a murder had indeed taken place thirty years ago and together they try to solve the mystery.

The spirit of Linda [Claudia Ciesla], raped and murdered thirty years ago, reincarnated as Anna, leads Anna and Vik to the discovery of the identity of the murderer.

Director M.R. Shahjahan has handled a few sequences well. The sequences involving Alma Saraci specifically raises the bar. The portions make an eerie impact and enhance your interest in the subject. But the culmination to the story -- which is so vital in this case -- falls like a pack of cards.

The viewer can sense, much before the film has ended, who the culprit is, which is bad news for any thriller. Also, the flashback portions are just not convincing.

Alma Saraci and Carlucci Veyant, the principal stars, enact their parts well, especially Alma. Claudia Ciesla gets no scope. Vijayendra Ghatge is as usual.

On the whole, KARMA - CRIME, PASSION, REINCARNATION appeals in parts, but that's not enough.