If you are new to Bollywood, you may want to check out the 2009 Nagesh Kukunoor film 8x10 Tasveer ("8x10 Picture").
This modern, murder-mystery, psychological thriller incorporates a number of interesting storyline elements:
- a supernatural connection that allows our hero, Jai Puri (Akshay Kumar), to channel memories of others through photographs. This ability almost kills Jai but gives him a variety of perspectives of events.
- a love story between Jai Puri and Sheela Patel (Ayesha Takia Azmi) - and the heartbreak as Sheela watches Jai edge closer to death.
- a death which at first seems like an accident, but soon looks like murder - and everyone is suspect.
- a detective (Jaaved Jaaferi) with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) who encourages Jai to look for answers. His introductory line, "I am 'Happi' with an i."
Filmed in Canada, South Africa, and India, the film features Akshay Kumar in a serious role rather than as purely an action hero or a comic. Akshay's Jai is reserved. Though he has an uncommon gift, he is your common man. He does have a few scenes that incorporate don't-try-this-at-home stunts, but they are an integral part of the story and generally more awesome than overdone.
The music of the film is primarily background theme music - no big Bollywood productions here. The complex story is allowed to unfold without distractions. The special effects do a great job of pulling you into the story. This film seems more like a Hollywood rather than a Bollywood production. Yet, as is standard in Indian films, there are many twists and turns to the plot and a surprise ending.
The film offers a mix of Hindi and English dialogue, making it a bit more accessible to non-Indian audiences. Check out the trailer to 8x10 Tasveer.
If you liked this, check out our other Film Screening Room or Akshay Kumar posts.