In The Raja Natwarlal: A Musical Journey with Yuvan Shankar Raja

In The Raja Natwarlal: A Review of the 2014 Bollywood Crime Thriller

In this article,

In The Raja Natwarlal

I will review In The Raja Natwarlal, a 2014 Bollywood crime thriller movie directed by Kunal Deshmukh and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur under UTV Motion Pictures.

The movie features Emraan Hashmi in the title role,

alongside alongside Paresh Rawal, Humaima Malik, Kay Kay Menon, and Deepak Tijori in supporting roles.

The movie was released on 29 August 2014 and received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. It grossed 45.65 crore worldwide against a budget of 40 crore.

In this article, I will summarize the plot, describe the characters, analyze the themes, evaluate the style, compare the reception, and assess the legacy of In The Raja Natwarlal.

The Plot of In The Raja Natwarlal

The movie follows the story of Raja Natwarlal, a small-time con artist who seeks revenge from a powerful and ruthless businessman named Varda Yadav, who killed his friend and partner Raghav.

Raja teams up with Yogi, a seasoned and retired con man who once tried to con Varda but failed. Yogi agrees to mentor Raja and help him execute a complex and elaborate plan to swindle Varda out of his fortune.

Raja also has to deal with his relationship with Ziya, a bar dancer who loves him but disapproves of his illegal activities. Raja promises her that he will quit his conning career after one last big job.

The movie is full of twists and turns as Raja and Yogi face various obstacles and challenges in their quest to outsmart Varda and his associates. The movie also explores the themes of revenge, justice, loyalty, deception, greed, and love.

The Characters of In The Raja Natwarlal

Raja Natwarlal (Emraan Hashmi)

Raja Natwarlal is the protagonist of the movie. He is a smart, charming, and daring con artist who lives by his wits and skills. He is loyal to his friends and loves Ziya deeply. He is motivated by his desire to avenge Raghav's death and to give Ziya a better life. He is willing to take risks and learn from his mistakes. He undergoes a transformation from a small-time hustler to a mastermind of a grand scheme.

Yogi (Paresh Rawal)

Yogi is the mentor of Raja. He is a veteran and retired con man who has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the art of deception. He is cynical, sarcastic, and secretive. He has a personal grudge against Varda, who ruined his reputation and career. He agrees to help Raja only after he proves his sincerity and dedication. He teaches Raja the tricks and techniques of conning at a higher level. He also becomes a father figure and a friend to Raja.

Ziya (Humaima Malik)

Ziya is the love interest of Raja. She is a beautiful, innocent, and caring bar dancer who works at a club owned by Varda. She loves Raja unconditionally but hates his conning lifestyle. She wants him to settle down with her and lead a normal life. She is unaware of Raja's plan to take down Varda until the end. She supports Raja in his mission and helps him escape from danger.

Varda Yadav (Kay Kay Menon)

Varda Yadav is the antagonist of the movie. He is a powerful, ruthless, and greedy businessman who owns a cricket team and several illegal businesses. He is arrogant, cruel, and paranoid. He kills anyone who tries to cheat him or cross him. He has a weakness for cricket and gambling. He is unaware of Raja's identity and motive until the climax. He tries to kill Raja and Yogi when he realizes that they have conned him out of his money.

Raghav (Deepak Tijori)

Raghav is the sidekick of Raja. He is a loyal, funny, and optimistic con artist who works with Raja as his partner. He is like a brother to Raja and supports him in his endeavors. He is killed by Varda's men when he tries to con them out of some money. His death triggers Raja's quest for revenge.

The Themes of In The Raja Natwarlal

The movie explores various themes and messages that are relevant to the genre of crime thriller and the context of Bollywood cinema.

Some of the main themes are:

• Revenge: The movie shows how revenge can be a powerful motivator for action and justice. Raja seeks revenge from Varda for killing his friend Raghav. He devises a clever plan to con Varda out of his money and expose his crimes. He He also avenges Yogi, who was betrayed by Varda in the past. He does not resort to violence or murder, but uses his wit and skill to outsmart Varda.

• Justice: The movie shows how justice can be achieved through unconventional and creative means. Raja and Yogi use their conning abilities to expose Varda's illegal activities and bring him to justice. They also use the help of a journalist and a police officer to ensure that Varda is arrested and punished. They do not rely on the legal system or the authorities, but take matters into their own hands.

• Loyalty: The movie shows how loyalty can be a strong bond and a source of support and inspiration. Raja is loyal to his friends, especially Raghav, who he considers as his brother. He is also loyal to Ziya, who he loves and respects. He is loyal to Yogi, who he trusts and learns from. He is loyal to his cause, which he pursues with determination and courage.

• Deception: The movie shows how deception can be a double-edged sword that can be used for good or evil. Raja and Yogi use deception as a tool to con Varda and his associates. They create elaborate scenarios, identities, and schemes to fool them. They use deception as a means to an end, which is revenge and justice. However, deception can also backfire and cause harm. Raja deceives Ziya about his plan and puts her in danger. He also deceives himself about his ability to quit conning after one last job. He faces the consequences of his deception and has to make amends.

• Greed: The movie shows how greed can be a fatal flaw that can lead to downfall and destruction. Varda is greedy for money, power, and fame. He does not care about the people he hurts or exploits in his quest for wealth. He is obsessed with cricket and gambling, which he uses as a source of income and entertainment. He is blind to the risks and dangers of his actions. He falls prey to Raja and Yogi's trap, which exploits his greed and exposes his weakness.

• Love: The movie shows how love can be a motivating force that can inspire change and growth. Raja loves Ziya, who is his anchor and his hope. He wants to give her a better life and make her happy. He realizes that he has to change his conning lifestyle and become a better person for her sake. He also loves Raghav, who is his inspiration and his drive. He wants to honor his memory and fulfill his dream. He also loves Yogi, who is his mentor and his friend. He wants to repay his debt and respect his wisdom.

The Style of In The Raja Natwarlal

The Direction

The movie is directed by Kunal Deshmukh, who has previously worked with Emraan Hashmi in movies like Jannat, Tum Mile, and Jannat 2.

The director has a flair for making stylish and engaging crime thrillers with a touch of romance and humor.

He has a clear vision of the story he wants to tell and the tone he wants to set.

He makes effective use of the locations, the music, the cinematography, the editing, and the writing to create a fast-paced and entertaining movie.

He also extracts good performances from his actors, especially Emraan Hashmi and Paresh Rawal, who share a great chemistry on screen.

The Music

The music of the movie is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, who makes his Bollywood debut with this movie.

The music composer has a distinct style of blending Indian and Western elements in his songs and score.

He creates catchy and melodious songs that suit the mood and theme of the movie.

Some of the popular songs from the movie are Tere Hoke Rahenge, Dukki Tikki, Namak Paare, Kabhi Ruhani Kabhi Rumani, Flip Your Collar Back, etc.

He also creates an effective background score that enhances the suspense and thrill of the movie.

The Cinematography

The cinematography of the movie is done by Raaj A Chakravarti, who captures the essence of the movie's setting and atmosphere.

The cinematographer uses different shots, angles, lighting, colors, and effects to create a visual impact on the audience.

He showcases the contrast between the glamorous and gritty sides of Mumbai, He showcases the contrast between the glamorous and gritty sides of Mumbai, the scenic and exotic locations of Cape Town and Dharamshala, and the thrilling and tense moments of the con game.

He also uses some innovative and creative shots, such as the opening sequence that introduces Raja and Raghav's conning style, the montage that shows Raja and Yogi's training, and the climax that reveals the final twist.

The Editing

The editing of the movie is done by Anand Subaya, who ensures that the movie has a smooth and coherent flow.

The editor uses different cuts, transitions, pace, and coherence to create a seamless and engaging narrative.

He balances the different elements of the movie, such as the action, the romance, the humor, and the drama.

He also maintains the suspense and surprise of the movie, by revealing the information and clues at the right time and in the right way.

He also adds some stylistic touches, such as the split-screen effect, the freeze-frame effect, and the flashback effect.

The Writing

The writing of the movie is done by Parveez Shaikh, who crafts a clever and entertaining script.

The writer creates a compelling and original plot that has a lot of twists and turns. He also creates interesting and relatable characters that have depth and development. He also writes witty and catchy dialogue that reflects the personality and mood of the characters.

He also incorporates some references and homages to classic Bollywood movies and con movies, such as Sholay, Bunty Aur Babli, Bluffmaster, etc.

He also infuses some humor and emotion into the script, to balance the seriousness and intensity of the plot.

The Reception of In The Raja Natwarlal

The movie received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. Some praised it for its style, performance, music, and entertainment value. Others criticized it for its lack of logic, originality, realism, and substance.

Here is a table that compares the movie's critical reviews and audience ratings from various sources:

Source

Critical Review

Audience Rating

Rotten Tomatoes

40%

50%

IMDb

6.1/10

6.1/10

Bollywood Hungama

3/5

3.5/5

The Times of India

3/5

3.4/5

Hindustan Times

2/5

N/A

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