The Xpose Review

One Line Review: Nothing new to offer, 'The Xpose' is all about film politics and rivalry and a murder set in the 60s.

Positive Points: Himesh Reshammiya delivers an unexpectedly good performance; calm and romantic music; the story is somewhat engaging.

Negative Points: Inaccurate depiction of the 60s; flamboyance and masala spoils the film.

Plot: The film begins as narrator Alec D'Souza (Irrfan Khan), a popular black marketer in Mumbai narrates the past.

Set in the Mumbai (then Bombay) of the 60s, the film is about two dominant directors in the industry who are locked in rivalry and two sizzling actresses, who are considered as the 'sex symbols' of the industry. Ravi Kumar (Himesh Reshammiya) is an ex-cop who has now entered the industry and does films in the South for renowned director Subba Prasad (Anant Mahadevan), who is also the rival of Bobby Chaddha, one of the top directors in the Hindi film industry.

Ravi Kumar has an ill reputation for being an eccentric, short tempered and arrogant cop, who is also cocky on occasions. On the other hand, when emerging actress Chandni (Zoya Afroz), who has gained accolades of appreciation from audiences and critics for her performance, is hated to the core by her rival Zara Fernandez (Sonali Raut), who is known for being a characterless woman who has made her career through the casting couch.

Popular music composer and singer K.D (Yo Yo Honey Singh) is Zara's ex-boyfriend who is now married to another rich actress.

Amidst all the rivalry and politics, one fine day, when Subba Prasad is hosting the party for his film, one of the actresses gets murdered. Now looms the question who exactly murdered her and was it her rival or was it someone else from the industry. The further story unravels the twist.

Direction And Other Technical Aspects: Direction is unexpectedly a bit better, but doesn't really offer the quality that a decent grade direction does. One can say that the film doesn't match up to good standards, but is elevated to a higher level because of the production costs invested.

Also the script leaves too many plot holes in the film, enough to make it your usually unimpressive and poorly directed Bollywood flick.

Performances: Himesh Reshammiya has unexpectedly played his role impressively, much better than his previous ones. He plays his part of an arrogant and tough ex-cop with the right dialogues complimented with the right expressions.

As expected, the rapper-turned-actor Yo Yo Honey Singh doesn't have anything to offer that doesn't really make any difference.

Zoya Afroz and Sonali Raut have played it well enough for the film to carry on.

However, despite of the Himesh's good performance, it is the caricatured nature of the characters that adds up into the things that bring down the level of this film.

Music: 'Ice Cream Khaungi' is a party track and is one of the things that spoils the film with its ridiculously foolish lyrics and uncatchy rhythm. 'Dard Dil Ko' by Mohammed Irfan Ali is soulful and romantically sad track that you will surely love for its calm. 'Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara' has not only been composed creatively but also sung well by Himesh and Honey Singh. 'Catch Me If You Can' which opens the film, is fast and groovy and yet another party track. 'Surroor' is yet another love song from the film, sung by Himesh, Honey Singh and Shalmali Kholgade.

Final verdict: 'The Xpose' basically revolves around the rivalry between two film directors and two sizzling actresses of that era, amidst of which the protagonist makes his way as the film progresses. As it was known, the film doesn't really offer much, apart from some good music and relatively sincere performance from Himesh Reshammiya.