The Bhatts of Hindi Film Industry, namely Mahesh Bhatt, is known for his long list of Hit films inspired from real life news clippings or happenings. And Vishesh Films, the banner owned by the Bhatts has consistently given films based on such issues like the recent Tum Mile, Jannat, Woh Lamhe and many more. Following the same trend, this time too they bring on a film based on the most recent much publicized incidents of Racists Attacks on Indian Students living in Australia.

But unfortunately their current reality inspired offering is nothing more than a hushed up and badly made project planned only to encash the latest hot subject of Racism. In short, CROOK is simply a very less worked upon project, which has nothing interesting to offer, both to the fans of Vishesh Films and Emraan Hashmi. In fact it looks like a film which was completed in just a few months time and may be its script was also written on the floor itself, along with the shooting going on in Australia.

Starting with a very exciting scene where Emraan is shown watching a new movie in the theater and then uploading the same on the net illegally, CROOK kicks off impressively and then moves on to the same routine Bhatt formula wherein the love angle is established in the first 40 minutes of the movie. Till here it's quite OK watching Emraan romancing the pretty girl Neha Sharma in the outdoors of Australia. But right after this first section, the film slides down pretty awfully without any clear direction in its storyline and tries to exploit the burning issue of racism quite vaguely. Instead of showcasing the important problem intelligently, the entire proceedings (post intermission) simply turn out to be a revenge drama between few youngsters as usual and there is nothing substantial in the film to offer to its viewers.

The characterization of everyone in the script is quite confusing as they are all simply shown to be there surviving in Australia just for nothing. The deliberate attempt of using Punjabi characters to justify the CHALLA track sung by Emraan in the film falls flat completely. Moreover the controversial lifted song from A Hit YOU TUBE Uploader (Babbal Rai) also gets wasted due to its uninspiring treatment and placement. And then in the climax, the lengthy action sequences further test your patience quite seriously.

Frankly speaking, it's the weakest movie of the director Mohit Suri who earlier gave us good films such as Kalyug and Woh Lamhe. With a weak direction based on a further weaker script he is no-where close to any of his earlier works. The film takes up the Racism issue only for the sake of having a saleable point in the project and the director doesn't talk about it with sincerity.

Emraan Hashmi looks too casual in his approach towards the role and doesn't impress. Neha emotes well and looks confident on the screen. Rest all are just there trying to do more than what they are actually required to do in their respective scenes. Cinematography is OK including a semi nude scene of the foreign actress, which was also used to create some more excitement for the project in its news publicity.

In all, CROOK is a half hearted project made only to earn some quick profits from the subject associated with the recent racist happenings. But if you really want to watch something more concrete and specific on the topic, then you can anytime try Sohail Khan's "I – Proud To Be An Indian" which was released in 2004 and CROOK can easily be given a miss.

I watched this film even though it was only rated on IMDb as 4.9. I was surprised it scored so low as it really isn't that bad a film at all. Yes, it has it's bad points, but overall it is a gripping watch, has some great cinematic moments, and leaves one feeling you hadn't just wasted two hours. I've given it a six, although were it possible I would have given it 6.5.

One slight criticism was that the overall theme should have been more to the forefront. For the first hour it focuses on the protagonist himself rather than the plight of the protagonist. The latter playing a minor role in comparison to the comedic and love elements relating to the lead. By the time the main theme really springs to life the various plot points need to be rushed through as time is running out. On the downside, that does mean these themes cannot be fully developed as much as I would have liked, but it does make for a fast-paced thrilling ending, which is good.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, there were some changes I would have made, but I feel it thoroughly deserves a 6.5 rather than the 4.9 it was on when I watched it.

I just saw this movie. Wow, what an experience! This is certainly not a movie Indian public will like, with Masala factor being around zero; but I am fine with that since I do not like Bollywood movies that look like Hollywood parodies from the 1980ies!

This movie has got it all: solid screenplay, wonderful cast, marvelous locations and beautiful soundtrack. Even though direction could have been better, ''Crook'' is good, and never disappoints. Emraan Hashmi's (interpreting Jai Dixit) acting is convincing, albeit too casual at times. The newcomer Bihari Neha Sharma (here in the role of Suhani) is more than beautiful and has proved that she is here to stay. Katrina Kaif watch out! Arjan Bajwa (of Guru and Fashion) is the main villain here (Samarth). He is getting better and better with each movie, although I don't think he's convincing enough (while) interpreting antagonists.

The movie is based on true events, but with a dose of fiction. I'd say that it's 75% true.

9.5/10 Highly recommended!