Movie Name: Romeo Akbar Walter
Director: Robbie Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy
Rating: 2/5
Story : RAW takes place in 1971, when tensions were high between India and Pakistan with the matter of Bangladesh’s (then East Pakistan) Independence, in jeopardy. Srikant Rai (Jackie Shroff), enlists Romeo, a common man with a bank job with a talent to become many faces, into the Secret Service. Romeo becomes a spy for India and is sent to Pakistan as Akbar, to gain the trust of the enemies and provide valuable information to his mother land. Everything is working in Romeo’s favour untill suspicion arises and trouble brews in the name of ISI officer Khudabaksh Khan.
Romeo Akbar Walter tries hard to invoke a sense of patriotism but fails miserably. John Abraham dons several disguises as he plays the titular character, segueing between the parts of Romeo, Akbar and Walter, as he goes about skating on very thin ice in dangerous territories, infiltrating army camps where plans are being hatched for a crucial air-strike, and keeping his collaborators safe.
Performances : Mouni Roy showed up imminently forgettable role. Jackie Shroff and Sikander Kher make an impression. Romeo Akbar Walter could have been a far more gripping film if only it had sorted out the issues of tone and texture a bit better.
Verdict : Romeo Akbar Walter is not the most unique spy film largely because those familiar with movies about espionage won’t find it surprising.
