Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Irrfan Khan, Huma Qureshi, Aakash Dahiya and Shruti Hasan Director: Nikhil Advani Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller Rating: 3.5/5

After amazing Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, I was least interested to watch some rather unrealistic action movie with a lame ‘covert operation’ plot and was even making presumptions before setting foot into the multiplex to watch “D-Day”; but I patted my back after 2.5 hours, for deciding to go for it.

D-Day is kind of a flick that gives you hope that – Yes, we too can make some good movies on such plots and storylines.   Not that it’s the best you would have ever seen, but it’s a very honest attempt, which is bundled with some power packed performances, feasible action sequences and a good signoff.

D-Day is pure fiction, well knit and researched around facts and ‘figures’ that you may have guessed with ‘D’ in the title. The movie is about a covert operation, to bring back India’s most wanted criminal from Karachi – Iqbal Seth aka Goldman.

As for the plot, Indian RAW agent Wali (Irrfan Khan) stays put in Karachi for a long time to spy an ISI agent and luckily stumbles upon Goldman’s presence. Ashwini (Nasser) leading the RAW, sends a team of Rudra Pratap (Arjun Rampal), Zoya (Huma Qureshi) and Aslam (Aakash Dahiya) along with Wali to bring Iqbal back to India and then begins ‘Operation Goldman’ which unfolds in the next 2.5 hours of action, emotion, betrayal, rage and courage.

The movie does not only offer plain fists, bullets and blood; but also conveys the other side of ‘agents’.  Wali’s love for his son and wife, Zoya’s compromised marriage and Rudra’s affection (or love, in the later part) for Suriya, a sex worker; adds emotional ups and downs to the flick.

The director (Nikhil Advani) has cleverly knitted the story and has avoided many possible, obvious and typical ‘Bollywood-ish’ mistakes that could have ruined worth of your bucks.

No action scene is overwhelming; Rudra and Suriya’s chemistry is fantastic; and romantic (or I should rather say love-making) scenes instead of just being a pile-on, strikes your emotional chords at certain occasions.

Irrfan, Rishi Kapoor and Arjun are a treat to watch in this one. Shruti, Huma and Aakash also impresses with their character portrayal.

Music plays a very important and amazing part, as the lyrics and the rhythm matches the pace of the scenes and has been used rather cleverly during sequences.

D-Day not only showcases the mere covert operation, but also tries to state the fact, that we are totally unknown of some wars which are being fought under cover.  Moreover, those wars are also fought by humans who have emotions, but they put ‘honor, duty and country’ above all.

Be it for thrill, for action or for watching some powerful performances; watch this one.  It’s a one time, but a worth watch.

PS. Being a fan of Arjun Rampal, I must say that this is one of the best of Arjun, that none of his fan should miss.