Despite its multiple flaws, Rustom can be watched for Akshay Kumar, whose action/comic brilliance often overshadows his acting prowess. He reminds you to value the honest officers who serve our country with dignity and valour. He makes you want to support the man who probably did the right thing the wrong way. Akshay proved yet again he can play range of diverse roles with brilliance. Rustom was based on real life story of K.M Nanavati who killed her wife's lover and was one of the most sensational court cases in India. Rustom has its flaws, but was overshadowed by Akshay's performance. With good soundtrack and brilliant acting, Rustom is one of the best movies of Akshay Kumar. I go with 3.5/5 for 'Rustom'.

It's been a while since I saw a Bollywood movie & that was primarily due to a dearth of trailers that caught my fancy. However, this Friday we have two big starrer movies lined up with the producers hoping to cash in on the long weekend. With the Olympics in full swing & the new season of EPL kicking off, it is a matter of what the audience want to spent their time on. Anywaz I found the time to check out "Rustom" which was inspired from the Nanavati murder case that had caught the fancy of the public in 1959. But will the movie reap similar results???

Just a decade into Independence & India was finding its feet in the new world order. Our defense forces were making steady strides through the efforts of dedicated officers with Commander Rustom Pavri (Akshay Kumar) being one among them. Rustom was a decorated naval officer who led a happy married life with his wife, Cynthia (Ileana D'Cruz). His duty required him to be away from home for months together which provided the fodder for his friend, Vikram Makhija (Arjun Bajwa); a playboy businessman to work his charm on Cynthia. Eventually he managed to swoon her which Rustom discovers in due time that leaves him distraughted. Seeking a closure to his pain, Rustom kills Vikram & surrenders to the police. What subsequently followed was the drama which unfolded at the courtroom that left the judicial system bewildered.

Based on the Nanawati murder case, even to the point of naming characters which sounds quite similar to the real ones; there was absolutely no excuse for the director Tinu Suresh Desai to mess it up. The actual event had all the ingredients of a potboiler but it seemed the writer Vipul K Rawal had other ideas. His plan to include a sub-plot barely provided an impetus to the movie but also diluted the main thread. Hardly anything happens in the first half as Tinu takes his sweet time to set the ball in motion while the second half also doesnt quite arrest the attention of the audience. Apart from the trite screenplay, even the whole watching experience wasnt gratifying as it looked extremely artificial thanks to the mediocre art direction, makeup & visuals by Santhosh Thundiyil. The music done by a host of individuals fails to leave its impression & also proved to be undesirable appendages.

In recent times, Akshay has made conscious efforts to juggle with a variety of genres & kudos to him for that. Even as Rustom, Akshay has given a decent performance as he seemed an ideal choice as the officer but somehow the emotional aspect of the character doesnt get displayed for some odd reason. Pawan Malhotra has done a fine job as the investigating officer while Kumud Mishra was wasted in a comic relief role & lacked the impact that the real character had on Nanavati's release.

Verdict: Since the movie is based on a real life event, there is definitely a certain deal of curiosity which the makers would hope to cash in. There are a couple of factors which could work in its favour such as the relatively lower budget, long weekend & patriotic fervor due to Independence day. It will be able to recover its investment but making a sizable profit seems like a long shot. In short, the basic thread had the content but the makers made a mess of it!!!

Rating: 2.25/5

Regards...Ben

Very poor direction and writing. I was thinking that it would be a serious movie but the whole movie appears as a comedy show and the court scenes developed the comic scenes.. some unnecessary scenes are added for the #deshprem purpose. If you are a movie buff you better watch a comedy movie again..

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

Rustom, a much awaited film by Tinu Suresh Desai, has received mixed reviews from various corners. The background of this film is based on a naval officer’s life - Kawas Manekshaw Nanavati. Previously also, two films Yeh Rishte Hain Pyar ke (1963) and Achanak (1973) were made with the same plot. KM Nanavati, naval officer, was happily married to Sylvia, British by birth and settled with three kids. His keeping away from home for long duration due to work made his wife feel lonely and engage herself in an extramarital love affair with Prem Ahuja. She herself confesses about her affair with Prem. Nanavati ends up killing Prem and surrenders himself. Then starts the legal battle. It is said that this case, which happened in 1959, changed the course of legal operation in India. Nanavati’s case was the last one where case was heard by Jury. Nanavati was proven not guilty in the court, although this verdict was later challenged in higher courts. He was even sentenced for life imprisonment, but later on, political connections helped him to come out of jail within 3 years. After getting the release, he went to Canada along with Sylvia and kids. He died in 2003 whereas Sylvia is alive and in Canada.

The film Rustom brings a few parts of Nanavati’s story on celluloid. It keeps one engaged and glued to the screen. It is Akshay Kumar’s another best film. The story covers love, passion, adultery, murder, forgiveness, patriotism etc.

The film begins with the actor Manoj Bajpayee’s narration. The titular character Rustom is played by Akshay Kumar. Commander Rustom Parvi, a naval officer, is in love with his beautiful wife Cynthia (Ileana D’Cruz). Their meeting, falling in love, and getting married etc. are beautifully conveyed through the song ‘Tere Sang Yaara…’. Rustom used to travel due to work. Once, his ship is rescheduled to reach prior to the planned date / schedule. Rustom gets astonished not to find Cynthia at home. He explores and finds out about Cynthia’s extramarital affair with his acquaintance and a businessman Vikram Makhija (Arjan Bajwa). Vikram had the image of a playboy too. Rustom confronts Cynthia, but did not give her a chance to explain herself. He then goes in search of Vikarm to his office, later to his residence. Three bullets straight into his heart, Vikram is dead. Rustom goes to the Police Station and surrenders himself. Naval officials wanted his custody but that doesn’t happen. Rustom who chose to surrender himself for the murder of Vikram, decided to represent himself in the court for his defense. Public prosecutor Lakshman Khangani (Sachin Khedekar) gave Rustom a tough fight in the court. Preeti Makhija, Vikram’s sister (Esha Gupta) wants Rustom to be punished.

Legal battle continues unveiling the motive of Rustom behind the murder of Vikram Makhija. It is said that in Nanavati’s case, a tabloid ‘Blitz’ through its opinionated statements were able to create a sympathy wave for Rustom in the minds of common people. In this film, Erach Billimoria (kumud Mishra) heads a tabloid, which largely influenced the course of the case. He was able to influence the thoughts of common man as well as Jury through his articles. Police Commissioner Vincent Lobo keeps his investigation going parallel to the hearings in the court.
How did Rustom plan Vikram’s murder? How Cynthia handle all these turbulence ? Does Rustom forgive Cynthia ? Was Rustom’s motive behind Vikram’s murder purely a personal one ? Was Cynthia a victim of a conspiracy ? When Rustom surrendered and admitted his crime, what logics he brought up during the trial in his defense? Was there any layer of patriotism to the whole story? Why were the naval officers keen on taking Rustom under their custody ? How the trial moves further ? Who all were cross examined and what story it could bring out? How does Rustom fights back for proving his not being guilty ? Does it turn out to be Parsi versus Sindhi revenge too?

Akshay looks absolutely dashing in Naval Officer’s uniform. He has once again proved that he is one of top notch actor in the Bollywood, who could do complete justice to Rustom’s character. Illena looks beautiful on screen. Arjan Bajwa as Vikram Makhija is very much convincing in his role. Sachin as the Public Prosecutor is very good. The only character I felt weakly developed is that of Preeti Makhija of Esha Gupta. Jamnabai, the house-help’s role by Usha Nadarni is also good. Kumud Mishra as Erach Billimoria brought humour to the plot. Pawan Malhotra as Police Commissioner Vincent Lobo has less screen time, but he is good. Parmeet Sethi is also seen as one of the naval officer. Other cast is also good.

Certain scenes are worth watching. When Rustom comes home prior to the scheduled date and his pain on exploring Cynthia’s extramarital affair. His confrontation scene with Cynthia. The scene where Rustom agrees to meet Cynthia for the first time in jail, the body language adopted by Rustom generates lots of emotions.

Court scenes were dealt lightly. It appeared at times as attempts to make fun of the legal system. This could have been dealt in a better manner. Also, the voice of audience supporting Rustom was justified but their standing with weird placards viz. Marry Me Rustom diluted the scene.

Also, I felt that the dynamics of Rustom-Cynthia’s relationship before and after tragedy could have been given a little more screen time.

Rustom, inspired from the real incidents of KM Nanavati case which ended the Jury system in India, is definitely a very well crafted film. It is packed with good performances, special mention to Akshay’s performance, clubbed with good music, suspense, love, betrayal, adultery, murder, forgiveness, patriotism etc.

Set in the late 1950s, the film is primarily based on the life of a Naval Officer named Rustom Pavri( Akshay Kumar). The film begins with a happy start where we see Rustom marry Cynthia(Ileana D'cruzp). Rustom is completely a nation devotee, earnestly sincere in his job and has the capability to do something for the nation. And a good husband too. He lives with his charming wife. Both are compatible, loving and adoring very much. Everything works well. But the plot then indicates a spin in Rustom's life when he gets to know about her infidelity with Vikram Makhija. He falls of the familiarity and the trust of her wife and gets deeply mutilated from the insides. He then causes the death of Vikram Makhija by shooting him with 3 shots. And from then the plot becomes so much enthralling typically involving crime that one is easily in the thrall of the director. Rustom then is tried for the court and he appeals that he is not guilty of the crime. What will happen now. Just see the film to know what lies ahead.

Akshay act this time too is much appreciable as the assertive and intelligent Naval Officer. He involves himself so much that one cannot turn away from his just dignified appearance. Ileana is too is perfect as his wife and showcases sensations for him at the right time and above all her manner and style just surpasses splendours which have been put up by other actors in their fims. Esha on the other part of her tries to spruce up the film as much as she can by playing the beautiful more and less bullish woman who fights for her brother and antagonizes Rustom. Even the dialogues of the film are agreeable and the direction is pleasant.

So, this Independence feel the great anxious uncertainity about what may happen in the film by watch it at the nearest cinemas and feel the adrenaline rush. Many Thanks to Tinu Suresh Desai for presenting this type of film. 1 more than 5 stars for the film.

Don't waste your time by watching this crap

It's a good movie because the story was good for me it deserves more crticis this movie I will give 5 for akshey and i will give 5 for ileana

prefer to choose MJD over this movie.

Not a paisa vasool film,a very slow and boring film