This year, when most of the Bollywood’s biggies failed to make a home run at the box-office, Jannat proved to be a surprise hit despite its release clashing with the cricket’s popular Indian Premier League. Cricket also occupies important place in Jannat’s story-line and the film uses the backdrop of the cricket’s murkier grounds- the bookies and the match-fixing!

Jannat is a story of a compulsive gambler (Emraan Hashmi) - a young guy who likes to take risks in life. As he finds his dream-girl (Sonal Chauhan), money-making starts becoming his obsession in order to make his dream-world a reality. Using his cool, calculative mind he makes a transition from being a small time card-player to becoming one of the biggest cricket betting bookies. From there to the world of match-fixing is just a step away and an international mafia don (Jawed Shaikh) soon inducts him in that business. Operating from South Africa, he gets so much involved in this dangerous but flashy trade that he doesn’t have time to listen to his girl-friend’s fervent pleas to leave it all! With a sympathetic Indian police officer (Samir Kochar) hot on his trails, what choice will he make? Will he be able to renounce his shady past and make a fresh new beginning?

Writer Vishesh Bhatt and director Kunal Deshmukh keep the film moving at a swift pace and the plot cleverly uses the conflicting emotions to keep you interested till its shocking climax. Emraan Hashmi plays the reckless romantic rascal effortlessly. He once again proves that he remains one of the most underrated actors in Bollywood, whose fine acting talent often gets overshadowed by his ‘serial kisser’ image! Sonal Chauhan- the latest new face introduced by Bhatts looks sweet and acts decently. With supporting cast coming up with creditable performances, the film leaves an impression.

Jannat has its flaws. The meteoric rise of a small-time gambler is not too convincing and the match-fixing scenes are too naively portrayed. But the film is more about a money-driven man’s moral descent and the disastrous trail it leaves in its wake and there the film does succeed!