Presented by People Pictures and produced by Anupam Mittal and Aditya Shastri 99 not out the film is a refreshing change. It is an original story inspired by real events.
It is as much “what could have been” as it is “what really happened.” In other words, it is historical fiction – being the keyword. It spans a few genres, it is slick, fast-paced, realistic and, importantly, very funny. 99 not out – movie review…
In this “smart comedy” set in 1999, all the characters are bound by a common feeling of being stuck at 99 in life – just one short of a ‘century’ – that elusive thing called “making it” in life!
99 the film has betting, gambling and match fixing as a part of this film. Sachin (Kunal Khemu) and Zaramud (Cyrus Broacha) are the two happy-go-lucky friends who make easy cash by duplicating mobile phone SIM cards.
One day, while being chased by the cops they steal a Mercedes Benz, and accidentally ram it into a lamp post. A local don AGM – Aatmaram Gyanshekhar Machve (Mahesh Manjrekar) happens to be the owner of this expensive car. Being a mean chap AGM binds these guys repay his loss, by working for him as recovery agents.
We have a Forex Executive from Delhi Rahul (Boman Irani) who comes to Mumbai and bets on a match and then loses a big amount. This due of Sachin and Zaramud is sent to Delhi to recover AGMs money from this compulsive gambler who also plays cards in big circles in Delhi.
While in a star hotel in Delhi, where they are staying, Sachin meets Pooja (Soha Ali Khan) who he instantly begins to like. Pooja is a middle class girl with dreams of owning a coffee shop near the airport.
Sachin and Zaramud anyhow manage to recover money from Rahul, but on their way to the airport the bag gets stolen and now they are in trouble of facing the mean guy AGMs ire.
Rahul suggests them to bet on a India South Africa match which might just be fixed as he is informed by the gambler-match fixer JC (Vinod Khanna).
99 not out is an entertaining film almost all throughout except in the end where it drags. Boman Irani is the life of this film. It revolves around him. Cyrus Broacha and Kunal Khemu are just fine, while Soha Ali Khan and Vinod Khanna have been wasted.
Mahesh Manjrekar is perfect as the mean funny character. New comer Amit Mistry (as Kuber) who is the local betting kingpin in Delhi is amusing and entertaining.
99 is an unpredictable and hilarious ride spread over two cities with colourful characters, unbelievable circumstances, small-time crooks, big-time conspiracies, fateful car crashes, loads of coffee, a briefcase full of money, a budding romance…
…and a historical controversy brewing in the background! That’s 99.
CAST of 99 not out:
Sachin – Kunal Khemu
Zaramud – Cyrus Broacha
Rahul – Boman Irani
Pooja – Soha Ali Khan
AGM – Mahesh Manjrekar
Kuber – Amit Mistry
Jahnavi – Simone Singh
JC – Vinod Khanna
Sunil Mehta (CBI) – Sudesh Berry
Kewal Pandey – Raja Kapse
Dimple – Rajesh Singh
CREDITS & CREW of 99 not out
Banner – People Pictures
Directed by – Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK
Produced by – Anupam Mittal and Aditya Shastri
Story, Screenplay – Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK, Sita Menon
Lyrics – Vaibhav Modi, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Shabbir Ahmed, Chintan Gandhi
Cinematography – Rajeev Ravi
Sound Design – Stephen Gomes
Editor – Cheragh Todiwala
Background Score – Roshan Machado
Original Soundtrack – Ashu, Shamir Tandon, Roshan Machado, Mahesh Shankar
Executive Producer – Pooja Desai
Creative Partner – Sita Menon
Action – Javed Eijaz
Art – Pradip Redij
Costumes – Shabina Khan
Singers – K.K., Sunidhi Chaunan, Shaan, Raja Hasan, Ashu, Bonnie Chakraborty, Earl, Labh Jajua, Kalyani .
99 not out, movie review