34. Hubba; movie review

 

HUBBA

Cert 15

133 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, violence, injury detail

Bengali movies are a rarity in UK cinemas, but I would be keen for more if Bratya Basu's Hubba is the standard.

This is based on the real-life story of Hubba Syamal, a gangster wanted for multiple murders.

It is grittier than most Indian films, with a high body count and several references to the title character's sexual appetites.

And it chronicles his insatiable lust for power and his ruthlessness in achieving it.

Mosharraf Karim plays the title character who believes he is untouchable, successfully evading multiple police hunts thanks to men on the inside.

However, he is finally tracked down to his beloved movie theatre and apprehended by the officer (Indraneil Sengupta) who has been on his trail.

While under interrogation, he is tortured to tell his life story, and this is the meat of the movie.

It chronicles him from being an expelled schoolboy through his teens as a wannabe villain and the first kill that gave him a taste for blood.

That is meant literally - he loves to have the red stuff splattered on his face as he polishes off victims.

Inevitably, his lack of moral compass and ability to attract a devoted gang of thugs catches the eye of corrupt politicians.

The more powerful Hubba becomes the more psychopathic his practices.

Karim is deliciously villainous in the part - his evil laugh complements his character's murderous deeds.

Meanwhile, Sengupta is his meticulously dressed opponent with his own dark secrets,

Hubba is too long, but it is a gritty thriller, and I was engrossed.

Reasons to watch: Gritty thriller

Reasons to avoid: Big body count

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? Hubba was infamous in his circuit for his bizarre style of killing. He would hack his victim more than 20 times with a chopper.

The final word.  Bratya Basu: "I just want this film to entertain the audience. I can also say that they will enjoy it greatly as I am convinced that it contains enough ingredients for their entertainment.." Telegraph India

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