Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II

Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II is a 2003 Indian crime comedy film that marries diverse themes and contrasts to bring forth a unique narrative, unlike its misleading name, it does not have a first part and stands on its own as an engaging and thought-provoking feature. The film stars Arshad Warsi, Prashant Narayanan, and Sandhya Mridul in pivotal roles. It is directed by Shashanka Ghosh, marking an eclectic blend of dark humor, social commentary, and unpredictability all woven into a mafia-based storyline.

The film is centered around the life of Puneet Sayal (played by Arshad Warsi), a down-on-his-luck advertising executive in Mumbai. His life undergoes an unusual flip when he unwittingly gets involved in the city's criminal underworld. Encountering characters and situations beyond his control, Puneet steps foot into a world of murder, mafia, and unsettling morals. Despite its crime-fueled narrative, the movie dabbles in wacky humor, offering an unconventional blend of elements resulting in hilarious situations, engaging dialogues and unexpected plot twists.

Prashant Narayanan portrays gangster Ganpat with a stunning mix of menace and poignancy. Never presented as a typical villain, Ganpat showcases a multifaceted character, with a depth that is rarely seen in an antagonist. There's a thin line between right and wrong in his world and he walks it with an elegance that uniquely characterizes his performance. On the other hand, we have Sandhya Mridul playing Agni, a no-nonsense policewoman tasked with cleaning up the mean streets of Mumbai, exhibiting both strength and compassion, making her characterization complex and engaging.

Furthering the film's unpredictable nature, a romantic undercurrent is brought to life through Puneet's relationship with his tough-as-nails girlfriend, Agni. The relationship adds to Puneet's internal conflict as his professional life spirals drastically out of control with his criminal involvements.

The film is elevated by its dialogues, deeply marked by urban linguistic culture and hearty humor. The exchanges between the characters are oddly funny, dark, insightful and reflective of the larger philosophy the movie leans onto. Through this dark comedy, the director calls attention to the dualities that exist within society - right and wrong, good and bad, justice versus injustice, and the grey areas in between.

Ghosh's direction ensures that viewers get a gritty, yet comedic look into the Mumbai underworld's realities; he showcases the colorful contradictions of the city, juxtaposing the grimy underbelly with the glittering skyline. The slow pacing of the screenplay in parts is compensated by the depth of characterization, and visually appealing cinematography that captivates the audience. Moreover, the atmospheric background score by Vishal-Shekhar adds extra flavor to the cinematic palette.

Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II takes a unique spin on the crime genre, infusing it with elements of comedy and romance to offer an unpredictable story packed with relatable characters that toss the stereotypical Bollywood formula out the window. Of course, there are songs, love, and laughs, but the viewer is also pulled into a world where morals are flexible, and the lines between heroes and villains get blurred, leading to an extraordinary cinematic experience.

The film's unconventional approach to storytelling could be described as ahead of its time; it involves themes and narrative strategies that have since become more prominent in Indian cinema. The movie caters to individuals ready to embrace a different kind of cinematic experience, one that does not adhere to the classic good vs evil narrative.

Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II is a rollercoaster of a film, presenting many twists and turns, highs and lows, love, hate, crime, and comedy. The film is an engaging and entertaining watch that leaves the viewer pondering the many layers of the narrative long after the credits roll. It also serves as a compelling testament to the unexpected and often absurd turns that life can take, a theory well captured in its title which roughly translates to 'Such Things Also Happen.'