RUSTOM REVIEW :- Akshay had 2 releases in this year and i watched both films on First Day. Airlift was a Good Film, still disappointed a bit, Housefull 3 was a good entertainer and now he came with Rustom which is carrying higher buzz than previous 2 films. Expectations were little high due Akshay's some quotes about Film but sadly film did not match those high expectations. Failed as a Thriller, failed emotionally but entertained as a Court Drama. Few things just didn't work, looked funny and few things succeeded to entertain. It totally looks a Fictional writing so i don't know why makers showcased it as an Inspired story from True incidents? Let's have an individual review of every field of movie.

Acting - Very Good ! Akshay Kumar totally nailed it, he completely looked a Navy Officer, carried intensity throughout the film. His Best Performance of the year. Illeana looks gorgeous due to high make up, acted well in emotional scenes. Sachin Khedekar gets place in memories as a lawyer. Esha looked arrogant and beautiful rich girl as per her character was written. Supporting star cast succeeded to make you laugh with their punches.

Music - Good ! Tere Sang comes at the beginning, and it works like a Magic, the best song of the film as audio and video as well. Other songs just didn't work, forgettable.

Screenplay - Average ! Strictly Average First half but Interval appears on a twist note which we've already seen in trailer. Better second half but bit stretched, film could have easily been trimmed 10 minutes more.

Writing - Average ! It was supposed to be an inspired story from a Real incidents but on screen it looked completely fictional. Some scenes irritates, for e.g A Navy Officer is Being a lawyer, collecting documents like a Spy. There was a big scope to write a better story than this.

Direction - Strictly Average ! Direction is like a Half Baked cake, simply you can't digest it. He tried to add all the elements such as Thrill, Patriotic feel, Husband-Wife Emotions, Sympathy, Crime, Court Drama etc. Which looks like a mixture which is messed. Director spoiled the script which was weak already, still i feel a better film could have been made.

Final Words - My final verdict to the film is Above Average to Good ! Film neither impresses you much nor disappoint. Commercially this film does not deserve 100cr club but it could manage it due to holidays in weekdays, i feel same for Airlift and film did it. In a Clash Factor i feel Rustom will beat Mohenjadaro critically and commercially both. Overall this one looks another success for Akki this year, but this time despite clash. A honest try by team which could be watched once. I'm going with 6/10 stars as i feel this film didn't match my high expectations.

Vipul Rawal gave us the excellent sports drama (Iqbal) in the last decade, and this time around tries his luck by fictionalising a sensational incident into a crime drama. However, the cardboard representation his director provides causes the film to look appealing without a strong foundation.

Rustom Pavri (Kumar) is a highly decorated and patriotic Indian Naval officer who returns home from an assignment one day only to learn that his pretty wife Cynthia (D'cruz) has been going out with an acquaintance, automobile mogul and playboy Vikram (Bajwa). Already stressed with the unethical goings-on in the Navy, Rustom plans a plan to kill Vikram, on the grounds of something more than just the good old adultery. The story is basically a courtroom drama which begins gathering moss only in the second half when Rustom decides to play both the victim and the advocate.

Rustom is the protagonist here, much like Devgn's character in Drishyam. I compare these two films mainly because of the problem I had with them: they challenge the code of self-righteousness. While in the 2015 film, Devgn's character tries to cover up a murder his wife and daughter committed, here Rustom tries to cover up his own crime just because he wants to hit two birds with a single stone. 30 minutes into the film, Rustom surrenders at the nearest police station and confesses about his crime.

Deviating from the primary problem, Rustom mainly relies on the effervescent glamour of the post-Independence era (60s) and strives too hard not make any anachronistic mistakes. While the effort is lauded, it does come out as cardboard at times. The plot is too basic, and becomes predictable after a while, giving out thoughts that one has seen these cinematic elements before. So, is the whole recipe a mixture of popular crime and mystery stories? You can say that, but it does have the backing of a real-life story that I am told shocked the nation.

Kumar is compellingly fabulous with his role as a Naval officer. He keeps his cool throughout the film and reminds us how good an actor he is after just having marvelously played the role of a homosexual in Dishoom (2016). D'cruz is gorgeous in her air, but is mostly seen sobbing or staring deadpan at her co-stars. Gupta and Bajwa both do a fine job among other cast members. Overall, appropriate casting helps the film.

BOTTOM LINE: Tinu Desai's Rustom may not be a shocking and novel tale, but it's at least not boring considering that it's a rehash of all those crime mysteries we have seen in Bollywood. Wait for DVD and then rent it.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Based on the real life incident of Naval Officer K.M. Nanavati and businessman Prem Ahuja, 'Rustom', sadly, is a disappointing courtroom-drama, that lacks a solid Screenplay. The film had tremendous potential, but it unfortunately, never soars.

'Rustom' Synopsis: In 1959, a decorated naval officer (Akshay Kumar) is accused of murdering his wife's lover.

'Rustom' begins very well, but as soon as the protagonist turns himself in for the murder of his wife's lover, the narrative drops. The first-hour is still fair, but the second-hour lacks the power to keep you hooked. The sequences in the courtroom aren't fiery enough & that's the biggest problem with 'Rustom'. It arrests, but only intermediately!

Vipul K Rawal's Screenplay needed to be stronger & far more fiery. Tinu Suresh Desai's Direction is alright. Cinematography & Editing are decent. Art & Costume Design are average.

Performance-Wise: Akshay Kumar as Rustom is earnest, but he's done better. Illeana D'Cruz as Akshay's unfaithful wife, is in fine form this time. Arjan Bajwa as the villain, is okay. Esha Gupta doesn't work. Of the supporting cast, Pawan Malhotra, Usha Nadkarni & Kumud Mishra leave the strongest impression.

On the whole, 'Rustom' fails to capitalize its potential.