Raja Natwarlal

Raja Natwarlal is a 2014 Indian Hindi-language crime comedy thriller film, directed by Kunal Deshmukh, and is a testament to the Bollywood's love for stories of small-town con men taking on white-collar criminals. Produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur under the banner of UTV Motion Pictures, the film features Emraan Hashmi, Humaima Malik, Paresh Rawal, Deepak Tijori and Kay Kay Menon in the leading roles. The film presents a commendable amalgamation of reality and fiction, promising absolute entertainment for its viewers.

The film orbits around Raja, the character essayed by the charismatic Emraan Hashmi, embodying a street-smart small time crook in Mumbai. He is not alone in his contracting world and there is a partner-in-crime Raghav, played by Deepak Tijori, aiding him in his minor swindling operations. Raja's world takes a dramatic turn when he falls for Ziya, portrayed by the lovely Humaima Malik, a bar dancer with a heart of gold. In order to marry her, he decides to pull off one last major scam that would make him rich enough to lead a satisfactory life with Ziya.

Just when everything seems to be going Raja’s way, the scam misfires and spirals into a cataclysm; thus crimping the gear wheel of their small-time frauding partnership and bringing them to the attention of a formidable adversary, Vardha Yadav, played by Kay Kay Menon. Yadav, a Mumbai-based billionaire, is unforgettably shrewd and hard-hearted. His repercussions take a devastating toll, reconstructing Raja's life, making it devoid of love, friendship, and the simple world he once knew.

In hopes of taking revenge against Yadav and to restore balance, Raja seeks the guidance of seasoned conman Yogi, a dynamic character brought to life by Paresh Rawal. Yogi is an old pro, who has renounced the world of hocus-pocus and now leads a life of anonymity. Under Yogi’s tutelage, it becomes a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase fueled by cunning and deceit, making Raja mature from a street-side swindler to a crafty con artist. The film further progresses into a gripping chain of events taking audiences on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and unexpected turns.

Throughout the film, Raja Natwarlal betokens a remarkable blend of comedy and action, thanks to its smartly penned dialogues and well-choreographed action sequences. The film's story delivers a compelling narrative, sprinkled with elements of suspense and intricately crafted cons at every nook and turn. Emraan Hashmi delivers a fine performance, confidently shouldering the film, making his character believable and engaging.

Humaima Malik as Ziya lights up the screen with her beauty and charisma, while delivering what is required of her role. Paresh Rawal, as Yogi, shines with his immaculate timing and brings a certain authenticity to his grizzled character. Kay Kay Menon appears as the perfect antagonist with his sheer intensity. His performance embodies the spine-chilling severity of Vardha Yadav, making him an antagonist not to be trifled with!

The film is accurately paced, with the tension built up appropriately, unraveling an intriguing plotline. The captivating screenplay with its rich texture keeps the viewers hooked. The unmissable chemistry between Emraan and Humaima adds a tasteful flavor to the film. Songs and background music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja and the dance sequences seamlessly woven into the narrative also add to its charm.

Directed by Kunal Deshmukh, Raja Natwarlal explores the vibrant world of con artists, capturing the essence of Mumbai’s bustling city life beautifully. The film is a delightful watch, subtly hinting at the fact that in the end, a con is not just about fooling the person, but making them trust you.

From its intriguing first half to a thrilling climax, "Raja Natwarlal" is an adventurous roller coaster ride in the world of deception, where laws are broken, relationships are forged, and retribution is sought against those bathing in ill-gotten wealth. The movie leaves the audience captivated and intrigued to the finish, exhibiting an absorbing tale of revenge, love, and the art of conning.

All in all, Raja Natwarlal is an entertaining romp, celebrating the charm of old-fashioned con tricks livened up by commendable performances and an engrossing narrative that keeps the viewers glued to their seats. Whether Raja succeeds in his mission forms the crux of this entertaining film that champions effort, wit, and the audacity to dream big – no matter what side of the law you are on.