Lies, vengeance and violence at box office this Friday (IANS Preview)

NEW DELHI - Films depicting a compulsive liar and a snake woman’s vengeance a la “Naagin” and a biopic on a slain factionist-turned political leader… take your pick from “Jhootha Hi Sahi”, “Hisss” and “Rakta Charitra”, three distinctly different films that release this Friday.

While “Jootha Hi Sahi” stars hearthrob John Abraham in the lead as a geeky liar, “Hisss” has been in the news for Mallika Sherawat’s bold scenes and “Rakta Charitra” for Vivek Oberoi’s intense acting.

Made under the Saregama banner, “Jhootha Hi Sahi” has been directed by Abbas Tyrewala and stars his wife Pakhi in the female lead. Penned by Pakhi, it is about a suicidal woman whose final call mistakenly connects her to a man who gives her something to live for. The movie also marks the big screen debut of VJ Raghu.

“This is a purely commercial Hindi film, not experimental. I think the audience will like what they see in this movie… I think lies that are not meant to hurt, white lies, are ok. It is nicer to be honest of course… Abbas has taught me to lie so well that I am now a proficient liar,” said John.

“Hisss” has been directed by renowned Hollywood filmmaker Jennifer Lynch. Produced by Split Image Pictures Pvt Ltd and presented by Venus Records & Tapes Pvt Ltd, it amalgamates the talents of Bollywood actors and top technicians of the west.

It revisits the long tried Naagin genre in Bollywood with a contemporary and bolder-than-ever approach. The movie revolves around the vengeance of a Naagin, a snake woman, whose mate is captured from the jungles of India. She transforms into a woman and ventures into the city in desperate search for her lover. What follows next is venom and deaths.

Known for her bold image, Mallika does the full monty in the movie.

“It is undoubtedly the boldest role I have done so far. Agar logon ko lagta hai ‘Khwaish’ and ‘Murder’ bold the, toh ‘Hisss’ unki neend haraam kar degi (If people thought ‘Khwaish’ and ‘Murder’ were bold, ‘Hisss’ will take their sleep away),” Mallika said recently.

It also stars Irrfan Khan, Divya Dutta and American actor Jeff Doucette in pivotal roles. Mallika has also crooned a song composed by late Beatles legend John Lennon’s son Julian in the movie.

“Rakta Charitra” is a two-part trilingual made in Telugu, Hindi and Tamil by Ram Gopal Varma. Based on the life of Andhra Pradesh leader Paritala Ravi, it features Tamil superstar Surya and Shatrughan Sinha in pivotal roles.

While veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha has done away with his signature pencil moustache for the first time in 32 years for the movie, Vivek has grown a bushy one. Varma too is making a debut as a singer with the thriller - he has crooned a Telugu song in the movie and unlike anyone else, the filmmaker is now waiting to slug it out at the box office.

“The battle between sex and violence is all set to start on Oct 22 between Mallika Sherawat’s fangs and Vivek Oberoi’s sickle… May Devil bless them,” Varma tweeted.