Shaitan

Shaitan is a 2011 Indian action thriller film directed by Bejoy Nambiar, marking his directorial debut. The film pivots around five headstrong, affluent youngsters in Mumbai, the central characters played by an eclectic ensemble cast that includes renowned actors Kalki Koechlin, Shiv Panditt, Gulshan Devaiah, Neil Bhoopalam, and Kirti Kulhari.

Shaitan perfectly encapsulates the youthful ethos, their struggle with personal angst, delving into the grey area of morality while manifesting their hedonistic pursuits, the inseparable part of their urban lifestyle. Kalki Koechlin portrays the role of Amrita Jayshankar or ‘Amy,’ the central protagonist around whom the chaos unfolds.

Born into an affluent family and tormented by her past, Amy moves to Mumbai to live with her best friend KC played by Gulshan Devaiah. Eventually, they form a close-knit circle of urban wayfarers that includes Dash, played by Shiv Panditt; Zubin, portrayed by Neil Bhoopalam; and Tanya, enacted by Kirti Kulhari.

The narrative thrust of Shaitan revolves around a seemingly benign incident that spirals out of control, forcing their zesty lives to take a catastrophic downturn. A minor scuffle with a random person in a movie theater morphs into a deadly altercation that leads to an inadvertent crime. Driven by fear, guilt, and desperation, they devise an uncanny plan to wriggle out of the predicament, leading to a web of deceit, delinquency, and entanglement with the underworld and law enforcement agencies.

Their reckless response to the upheaval forms the crux of the story in Shaitan, showcasing the intrinsic devil (Shaitan) in them, pushing boundaries, transcending moral codes, and spiraling deeper into a labyrinth of crime and chaos – a metaphorical journey portraying their moral erosion.

Pawan Malhotra, who stands out with his unprecedentedly striking performance as Inspector Arvind Mathur, is entrusted with the investigation of their bizarre case. His ethical dilemmas, complex personality, and struggle with his demons parallel the youngsters' journey, adding another intricately woven layer to this captivating narrative. Rajit Kapoor plays the role of RK, the Senior Inspector, consistently adding pressure on Inspector Mathur to resolve the case, resulting in an intense subplot.

Aiding the narrative, the film’s cinematography by Madhi aids in elevating the overall concoction of drama and thrill. The city's streets, illuminated nightlife, and dreary underbelly are presented with unique aesthetic nuances, enhancing the storytelling with an atmospheric visual texture. It’s equally noteworthy that the film’s pulse-pounding background score and edgy soundtrack composed by Prashant Pillai, Mikey McCleary, Amar Mohile, and Ranjit Barot accentuate the movie's dark theme, making it a high-octane thrill ride for the viewers.

Screenwriter Megha Ramaswamy and co-writers Abhijeet Deshpande and Bejoy Nambiar skilfully intertwine their lives' character profiles, personal tumult, series of unfortunate events, and seemingly blurred morality, resulting in a gritty storyline layered with profound character arcs. The screenplay's chaotic randomness mirrors the unpredictable nature of life itself in the backdrop of the sprawling urban landscape of Mumbai. Bejoy Nambiar's in-depth understanding of the characters and the narrative is reflected in the film's unwavering direction.

The film adopts an unconventional non-linear narrative style, employing flashbacks and quick cuts that successfully carry the suspense through the film's entire course while retaining the universality of the narrative. It effectively uses stark realism and brutal imagery to represent the young characters’ dark descent into their personal hell and the aftermath of their ill-fated decisions.

Shaitan is not just about a crime thriller; it is a reflection of the characters' internal chaos represented through the crime. It examines the utter disillusionment, desperation, and lawlessness seeping into the lives of the privileged class, ultimately prompting them to unleash their inner 'devils'. Through Shaitan, the filmmakers have effectively made a comment on youth, a generation often perceived to be unbridled, reckless, and often forgotten.

In a nutshell, Shaitan is an audacious celluloid attempt to portray the deep-embedded human tendency to transcend moral boundaries when cornered by dire circumstances – a riveting narrative woven around crime, desperation, and the consequent unraveling of one's morality.