Not A Love Story Review

Ram Gopal Varma and controversies go hand in hand. This time along it is his film Not A Love Story that has brought his into the limelight. Undoubtedly, if it is an RGV film, one is sure that the movie will have something unique to show. The maverick film-maker with Not A Love Story narrates a crime story of summer 2008, when two lovers did a terrible thing, committed a heinous murder.

Remember the 2008 murder case (well known as Neeraj Grover murder case), wherein a man (Neeraj) was murdered and his body was chopped into pieces in suburban Mumbai. Not A Love Story is inspired by the murder case. The film narrates what could've provoked such a brutal deed. The film delivers a fact that no one is bad at heart and that this kind of murder happens at the fit of rage at the moment. Not A Love Story delivers that some circumstances forces people to commit such heinous crimes.

It must be noted that though Ram Gopal Varma borrows from real life, Not A Love Story is not exactly a feature film narrating what had exactly happened during the murder. The protagonist in the film is not South Indian actress and her fiance is not a Navy Lieutenant. Not A Love Story is strictly and interpretation of what could have occurred that would have led to such a heinous crime. Through out the film director Varma has brilliantly manages to maintain a neutral stand while narrating the story, thus not supporting the deeds of any of the characters in the film.

In the year 2008, an aspiring model (Mahie Gill) was trying her fate in the Mumbai film industry, when she comes across a person (Ajay Gehi) who lent her a helping hand. One morning her boyfriend (Deepak Dobriyal) lands up when she was with Gehi in her apartment. What follows thereafter is Not A Love Story.

Plus Points

Not A Love Story looks reals because RGV has filmed the movies in the same building. The scenes in the film and the plot management keeps your interest intact till the end. The murder and the event followed after that, including chopping the dead body into pieces and the accused couple making out in front of the dead body, gives you goose pimple. Later the investigation and the climax wherein Mahie pours her heart out to Dobriyal is captivating.

The screenplay (writer Rohit G. Banawlikar) is brilliant and RGV's execution is spellbinding. Sound design is perfect (Sandeep Chowta's background scores). The movie has two songs, one of which is the new version of the song 'Rangeela Re' from RGV's Rangeela, which is cleverly woven into the narrative. Camerawork is eye-catching.

Performances

Both Deepak Dobriyal and Mahie Gill are outstanding. They successfully launch the intensity of emotions between the couple played by them in Not A Love Story. Mahie is stunning in the second hour, when the investigations begins. Deepak plays a brilliant maniac and a possessive lover. In fact, the actor hardly speaks and deliver his emotions through his eyes and expressions.

Ajay Gehi is first-rate. Zakir Hussain is excellent. Other side actors Neil Bhoopalam, Darshan Jariwala, Ganesh Yadav and late Rasika Joshi stands out in their respective roles.

Over All

On the whole, Not A Love Story will leave you shocked, stunned and thrilled. It will not be wrong to say that Not A Love Story is amongst Ramgopal Varma's best works. Don't miss this one!

Cast & Crew

Starring: Mahie Gill, Deepak Dobriyal, Ajay Gehi
Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Producer: Sunil Bohra, Shailesh R. Singh, Kiran Kumar Koneru
Story: Rohit Banawlikar
Music: Sandeep Chowta