Director: Rituparno Ghosh
Producer: Disney Pictures
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Aishwarya Rai, Mouli Ganguly, Sameer Dharmadhikari, Annu Kapoor, Surekha Sikri
Music: Vishal-Sekhar


When a filmmaker as talented and versatile as Rituparno Ghosh directs a film, there are bound to be high expectations - the sort that will raise some curiosity in terms of story. Has Raincoat been able to achieve this? This remains to be seen.

The story goes this way...

Manu (Ajay Devgan) is a businessman who has never made it 'big' in the television industry. The guy feels absolutely cheated by his former love Niru (Aishwarya Rai) who in preference for her mother's choice marries a successful entrepreneur. Inspite of having had an affair with Manu for eight long years, Niru decides to act practically and moves on with her life. He is forced to come to Kolkata to get some funds from his friends after he loses his job in the backwaters of Bilaspur. His main motive however was meeting Niru.
The two meet each other one rainy afternoon and both pretend to be very content with their lives. Both 'yap' about their prosperous state and claim to be extremely happy. While Niru pretends that her husband is a glob trotter, Manu pretends to be a successful TV personality.

However, it's interesting to note that none of them match up to their claim. While Niru looks totally exhausted with dark circles around her eyes, Manoj doesn't seem any better. His looks and mannerisms are that of an absolute loser.

Rituparno Ghosh has done a brilliant job in the sense that he tried recreating the story of two ill-fated lovers trying to come to terms with their separation. The whole setting gives an impression of the stagnated lifestyle that the two are living. The old dilapidated mansion cluttered with antique furniture and a grandfather's clock displaying time that has stopped long back all echoes the theme of the film.

As for the stars, both Aishwarya and Ajay have given a commendable performance. For Ash, this is her second film with Rituparno, the first being Choker Bali. And as for Ajay, if you have seen Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, you will agree that he is a very talented actor whom Bollywood has yet to discover. It's not easy to portray the role of a loser. But Ajay has done that and that too very convincingly. Then there is Annu Kapoor, Sameer Dharmadhikari and Mouli Ganguly who all manage to cast an impression. However, it is Annu Kapoor who steels the scene.

Music by Debojyoti Misra and lyrics by Rituparno is praiseworthy and have a semi classical tone to it.

The film progresses on an extremely slow pace. But, that is fine because one cannot categorise this film in the 'regular Bollywood entertainment' category. The sensitive portrayal of the characters along with brilliant screenplay and cinematography will appeal to the senses of many. As Rituparno had stated in one of his interviews, like all film, this will find its own audience too.