Good performances alone do not a film make. You need equally smart direction to transform a good script into a cinematic experience worth spending time and money on.

‘Maharathi’, alas, turns out to be yet another case of missed chance. The movie, based on a long-running Gujarati play, is a situational thriller with many a twist in its winding trajectory. It has a plot, which is basically suited to the theatre format, and to adapt it to celluloid was always going to be a scary task for the screenplay writer and director.

Subhash (Paresh Rawal) is a struggling actor cum small time criminal who makes money by cheating innocent ATM visitors. One late night he saves a man’s life, to do so he puts his own at risk. He ends up accompanying the injured man back home. Subhash is awe struck at the grandeur and affluence of Mr. Adenwalla. (Naseeruddin Shah) Subhash realizes this may lead to a generous tip. Adenwalla impressed by Subhash hires him as his driver much to the dislike of his beautiful much younger wife, Mallika (Neha Dhupia). Subhash realizes nothings well between Adenwalla and his wife. Once a big time filmmaker, Adenwalla is now forever drowned in alcohol and is now frustrated with his gluttonous wife. He decides to teach her lesson by throwing upon her a ‘deadly’ challenge. What this challenge is all about and how Subhash gets involved into it and what it unforeseen situations it further leads to forms the rest of the movie.

Adapted from a very popular Gujarati play by the same name, Maharathi makes for an interesting watch solely for the performance of almost all its lead actors. But what keeps on striking the viewer constantly are the limitations of a play being adapted to the big screen. Firstly, for a thriller, the plot appears far too lengthened, especially in the first half. Then once the first major twist in the plot takes place, what follows is at times, a matter of convenience. Ok even if you are willing to forgive some cinematic liberties, what really comes out is not only predictable but also raises many questions as to how certain things took place like the game of one-upmanship between Subhash and Adenwalla’s trusted lawyer, Merchant (Boman Irani). The whole drama majorly unfolds in the big Adenwalla villa itself and ends up giving you kind of a claustrophobic feel.

On paper – and even on stage – the story sounds quite riveting. But on the big screen, the film turns out to be a ho-hum affair. Even though the performances are brilliant, the build-up in the plot is disorganized and, to some extent, unpredictable. The problem lies in director Shivam Nair’s telling. Since the story is adapted from a play, long single shots might have been used better to lend intensity and gravity to the unfolding drama.

But being fair, one must admit that director Shivam Nair (Ahista Ahista) has made good use of the excellent actors he had on his hands. Also avoiding the temptation to incorporate songs in the movie needs to be lauded.

The film completely belongs to Paresh Rawal. Just check his changing expressions and body language in various catch 22 situations is a treat in itself. Naseeruddin Shah too is brilliant as the alcoholic, failed filmmaker. Boman Irani gets less scope in the first half but manages to impress with his antics in the penultimate moments. Neha Dhupia manages to hold their own despite being amongst acting stalwarts. Tara Sharma in a brief role as the villa’s caretaker is good. Om Puri appears wasted though as the investigating officer.

Maharathi is only meant for those, who don’t mind forgiving a little faulty plot for the sake of enjoying great acting and experiencing few really well executed moments.