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An absolute fiasco!

Sukanya Verma

Would Bollywood ever be able to survive without Hollywood? The answer, at least, in director Sanjay Gupta's case, is quite clear. Khauff, his last release before Jung, was a remake of Juror. The film's plot has been lifted straight from -- and I do mean straight from -- the Andy Garcia-Michael Keaton starrer, Desperate Measures.

There is nothing wrong about remaking a film, but why kill it altogether? This may sound harsh, but, frankly, after seeing Jung, one doesn't know what else to say. The original was no great shakes in the first place, so to expect anything earthshattering from a remake would be foolish.

Playing Garcia's role as the cop is Inspector Veer (Jackie Shroff), who, apart from catching kidnappers, finds the time to sing and dance with his wife Naina (Raveena Tandon) and seven-year-old son, Saahil (Master Jash).

But happiness is such a furtive thing, isn't it? Especially in Bollywood. Poor beta Saahil is suffering from blood cancer and can survive only if he gets a bone marrow transplant. The only match found is a serial, psychotic killer, Balli (Sanjay Dutt), whom Veer had arrested four years ago.

Veer and Naina beg Balli to agree for the transplant. He consents, but breaks his promise and escapes from the hospital. Balli is wanted by Inspector Nawab (Aditya Panscholi) too and Inspector Nawab tends to shoot criminals at sight. Veer can't let Balli die, because his son's life depends on him.

What happens next? See for yourself and decide. Actually, don't bother!

Jung could have been an interesting thriller, had the film-maker underplayed the blood, gore and violence and concentrated more on the screenplay and storyline.The film has too many technical flaws and the editing is patchy and sloppy.

In fact, in the song She gives me fever, an unknown man and Mayuri Kango pop up from no where and start playing the couple lost in love. While, in other shots, we see the fugitive Dutt romancing Shilpa Shetty. The background music, too, is irritatingly jarring.

Dutt has being playing the antihero in so many films since Khalnayak that he sleepwalks through this one. Though someone with good diction has dubbed for him, the voice sounds nothing like his.

Jackie Shroff wears the same confused expression through the film. Raveena Tandon underplays her role and gives a decent performance. Shilpa Shetty's role in the film is hardly worth a mention yet, as Dutt's hot girlfriend, she manages to deliver the goods.

Anu Malik's music will appeal to the masses. The Aiyela re number, in particular, is bound to attract wolf calls. But I seriously doubt if the film will benefit from all the publicity it generated, thanks to the on-going war between its producer, Satish Tandon, and director Sanjay Gupta.

Interestingly, Gupta isn't mentioned in the credits. Dutt, who supported the director, also washed his hands off the film and refused to dub. Wise decision, we would say!