"Kaante" is an Indian version of the Quentin Tarantino film, "Reservoir Dogs". While I can understand and appreciate that the Indian film industry would want to remake this film for domestic consumption, there are two main problems with it. The Taratino film is a classic--so good and such an important film that the director, Sanjay Guptah, is at a HUGE disadvantage and cannot possibly top the original film...or even come close to it. And, more importantly, the Indian film seems a bit sleazy, as no where in the credits does it give any credit to Tarantino...none!Like the original film, several guys meet in prison and plan a bank job. The planning is elaborate and then the plan falls apart because the cops KNEW they were coming and the final portion concerns figuring out which of them is really working for the police. All of this is right from the original and little is innovative or new. A few little points are nice (for example, I liked Amitabh Bachchan's character and motivations) but some of the new Indian touches are unwanted--such as the silly and very distracting musical numbers featuring a whole lotta strippers who keep a lot of their clothes on throughout their gyrations. Overall, I just cannot see a reason to see this film...see the original.

The only reason you might want to see this film is for the extremely effective use of fish-eye lenses and wide-angle anamorphic shots, especially in the LA strip bar. Well, of course, since they employed an American crew to shoot the film. Thanks to the top-notch production values, this film does manage to create an authentic atmosphere, to an extent. As an attempt by Indian filmmakers to adopt Western technical standards, it is just fascinating. Everything else is as wrong as wrong can be - a poor screenplay, too much style and no substance, terrible casting choices, the overuse of yellow filters, and above all, a glaring lack of realism. It must be said, however, that the dancers in the strip bar were drop-dead gorgeous, yes. Not that it helps the film. The fantasy of Indian "gangsters" in LA unintentionally reflects the degree to which Indian audiences (and directors) enjoy aping American action-movie stereotypes....

Kaante is an awesome movie by Mr. Sanjay Gupta.This movie is a complete entertainer.The star cast is perfect and the leading actors perform very well.The best performance is by Mahesh Manjeraker and Sanjay Dutt. This movie has loads of attitude and that is why it is so enjoyable,the dialogues are cool and makes the whole movie so different from other movies.The cinematography gives a distinct look to the movie. The songs are good and are very well placed.The sad version of the number "jaane kya hoga" i.e soch nahin tha" made me really emotional! when all the characters are dead (except Kumar Gaurav). Overall one great film,one of the best films made in bollywood.

Version: Madman's R4 DVD release. Hindi / English audio, English subtitles Before 'Kaante', the only Bollywood movies I'd seen were movies like 'Monsoon Wedding' and others that I had to watch at uni. I did not enjoy them. I can only assume that this is because, quite unlike 'Kaante', they were not two and a half hour versions of 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'The Usual Suspects' if directed by John Woo and featuring a few extra song and dance numbers. Wow, awesome.Major (Amitabh Bachchan) is an Indian businessman living in Los Angeles, although his criminal record prevents him from getting any work. Major is arrested in an apparent subplot that is forgotten nearly straight away, and reunited with Ajju, Marc, Bali, Mak and Andy. All are Indians living in Los Angeles, and having a hard time due to their criminal records. In jail together again, they decide to get rich by robbing a bank, though their choice of bank is a little strange. This brings us to the first lesson of 'Kaante': the L.A. criminal underworld is dominated by Indians, they're just so good at it that no one notices.'Kaante' makes no attempt to hide its inspirations. Hell, the DVD cover mentions 'Reservoir Dogs' three of four times. There's a lot of 'The Usual Suspects', and that's pretty much the plot right there: 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'The Usual Suspects', with a few slight influences in between. And dance numbers. Gotta love those song and dance numbers.Aside from song and dance numbers, 'Kaante' is a stylish action movie. Its rather reminiscent of John Woo's awesome style. Hell, a lot of it IS John Woo's awesome style. The bank robbery scene is completely unrealistic, and totally reeks of action awesomeness, and is possibly the coolest scene in the whole 2.5 hour movie, barring the random song and dance numbers, obviously.'Kaante' is a stylish and entertaining action / thriller, but it is a bit of marathon to watch when there's not much else to it. Cool anyway - 8/10