Sushen Bhatnagar’s directorial debut, ‘Soch,’ takes inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Strangers On A Train,’ yet deviates significantly from the source material. The film attempts to transplant Hitchcock’s suspense into the Indian film industry, also offering commentary on the intrusive nature of the paparazzi and its impact on celebrities’ lives. However, the adaptation struggles, hindered by concessions to commercial elements. Slapstick humor and frequent musical interludes detract from the narrative’s potential, resulting in a jarring experience. The film presents the framework of a thriller, with Sanjay Kapoor playing a superstar entangled in a complex situation. Raveena Tandon portrays a director-choreographer. The film’s exploration of the murder-swapping theme, reminiscent of the original, finds its strength in Arbaaz Khan’s portrayal of a psychotic killer. Ultimately, ‘Soch’ attempts to explore themes of celebrity life and morality, albeit with mixed results, but manages to stand out from other releases through its ambition.
