Kartoos was a Mahesh Bhatt vehicle which could've remained on the track if it didn't contain forced elements like comedy. It contains engrossing action sequences, admirable dialogues, and powerpacked scenes but an overdose of songs and comedy has diluted the film's impact. The film also takes a hit because of one major characterization issue. It is definitely devastating because this was Bhatt's last directional venture and it had tremendous potential.
Kartoos is the story of Jeet Balraj, a ferocious psychopathic prisoner who is saved from death by Inspector Jay Suryavanshi. Jeet is given a chance to resurrect his life if he agrees to be Jay's Kartoos(Weapon). As Jay's weapon, Jeet has to eradicate some terrorists who are responsible for bomb blasts in India. These culprits are operating outside the country so Jeet has to terminate them overseas. While Jeet is overseas, he falls for a Punjabi girl, Manisha, whose parents are trying to find a suitable man for her. Is Jeet able to complete his mission? If yes then will he really be freed from this violent life? Will he be able to live a normal life with Manisha? On paper, Kartoos sounds like a great idea but the execution is far from commendable. The biggest problem with Kartoos is Jeet Balraj's characterization. In an engaging introduction, we witness a killer Jeet who is not bothered about the life of those surrounding him. He pummels cops, pistols a prisoner brutally in a police station, and stabs a cop's hand with a pen. After Jeet reluctantly agrees to work for Jay, he is a different person. The deranged Jeet is colorful and even dances with Jay as his friend in a club. This transition completely ravages Jeet's character. Another complication is the fact that Jaspal Bhatti's character is used to provide an overdose of comedy and family drama. These family scenes are light moments and they are adequate. However, several such scenes dilute the impact of the film. The film drags and bores because of such buffoonery. On the flipside, the film has several entertaining scenes. These are Jeet slaughtering and terrifying the criminals, Jay pressuring Jeet to pull the trigger, Jeet regretting each murder.
Mahesh Bhatt has directed the film ably; he falters because of the screenplay. This is definitely a better film than his catastrophe, Duplicate (1998). However, Kartoos pales terribly in front of his riveting film, Zakhm (1998). The film's music contains some great songs like Wallah Ye Ladki and Doston Ke Darmiyan. However, the rest of it including the much hyped digitally enhanced song is forgettable. The background score is refreshing and it definitely gives you the thriller feel. The visual effects are good considering the time of the film and the action is well choreographed.
Sanjay Dutt is provided a weak character but he performs superbly. Dutt has acted such roles countless times but this time, he emotes brilliantly. He has expressed the pain and anguish with a high degree of success. Manisha Koirala looks beautiful and acts adequately. Her chemistry with Dutt is great. Jackie Shroff is brilliant as the cop with shades of grey. He gets the best dialogues and makes the most of them. Gulshan Grover is given minimal screen time despite being the arch villain. He is decent as the terrorist, Jagat Jogiya, who wants to spread mayhem all over India. Jaspal Bhatti irritates with his typical forced comedy. The others provide decent support.
Overall, Kartoos is an action thriller which could've been a great success. Unfortunately, the goofy comedy ruins the film's focus and this definitely damaged the film's chances of success. At the end of it's run, the film flopped at the box office.
Kartoos is the story of Jeet Balraj, a ferocious psychopathic prisoner who is saved from death by Inspector Jay Suryavanshi. Jeet is given a chance to resurrect his life if he agrees to be Jay's Kartoos(Weapon). As Jay's weapon, Jeet has to eradicate some terrorists who are responsible for bomb blasts in India. These culprits are operating outside the country so Jeet has to terminate them overseas. While Jeet is overseas, he falls for a Punjabi girl, Manisha, whose parents are trying to find a suitable man for her. Is Jeet able to complete his mission? If yes then will he really be freed from this violent life? Will he be able to live a normal life with Manisha? On paper, Kartoos sounds like a great idea but the execution is far from commendable. The biggest problem with Kartoos is Jeet Balraj's characterization. In an engaging introduction, we witness a killer Jeet who is not bothered about the life of those surrounding him. He pummels cops, pistols a prisoner brutally in a police station, and stabs a cop's hand with a pen. After Jeet reluctantly agrees to work for Jay, he is a different person. The deranged Jeet is colorful and even dances with Jay as his friend in a club. This transition completely ravages Jeet's character. Another complication is the fact that Jaspal Bhatti's character is used to provide an overdose of comedy and family drama. These family scenes are light moments and they are adequate. However, several such scenes dilute the impact of the film. The film drags and bores because of such buffoonery. On the flipside, the film has several entertaining scenes. These are Jeet slaughtering and terrifying the criminals, Jay pressuring Jeet to pull the trigger, Jeet regretting each murder.
Mahesh Bhatt has directed the film ably; he falters because of the screenplay. This is definitely a better film than his catastrophe, Duplicate (1998). However, Kartoos pales terribly in front of his riveting film, Zakhm (1998). The film's music contains some great songs like Wallah Ye Ladki and Doston Ke Darmiyan. However, the rest of it including the much hyped digitally enhanced song is forgettable. The background score is refreshing and it definitely gives you the thriller feel. The visual effects are good considering the time of the film and the action is well choreographed.
Sanjay Dutt is provided a weak character but he performs superbly. Dutt has acted such roles countless times but this time, he emotes brilliantly. He has expressed the pain and anguish with a high degree of success. Manisha Koirala looks beautiful and acts adequately. Her chemistry with Dutt is great. Jackie Shroff is brilliant as the cop with shades of grey. He gets the best dialogues and makes the most of them. Gulshan Grover is given minimal screen time despite being the arch villain. He is decent as the terrorist, Jagat Jogiya, who wants to spread mayhem all over India. Jaspal Bhatti irritates with his typical forced comedy. The others provide decent support.
Overall, Kartoos is an action thriller which could've been a great success. Unfortunately, the goofy comedy ruins the film's focus and this definitely damaged the film's chances of success. At the end of it's run, the film flopped at the box office.
