Dark comedy or black humor is the new spice and flavor of Bollywood as this unexplored genre conquers the humorous emotions in dark and grim situations. Debutante director Sanjay Khandoori's 'Ek Chalis ki Last Local' makes impressive entry this year as the film brings loads of surprises in its two hour plus fare. The film works well in delivering humor at many places but the story is outstretched for no big reason. It's a rare opportunity when a new genre arrives with better results and succeeds in entertaining and satisfying audiences. 'Ek Chalis ki Lat Local' is a tailor made adventure for multiplex viewers as they crave for "hat-ke" entertainment every time they visit any multiplex. Last year there were films like 'Taxi No 9211' and 'The Murder', which were based on event or day adventures. Luckily these films got accepted with above average response as multiplex viewers showed their keen interest in accepting different subjects and genres. This year it was the grand success of 'Buena Fry' that showed way for quality cinema and has encouraged producers to toss their luck with experimentation. Sanjay Khandoori has glamorized his personal experience of missing the last local train into his fictional work that works on plots and sub-plots leading to unpredicted triumph of the protagonist. The tagline "Dhayee Ghante mein dhayee crore" is a catchy one-liner that should work aggressively in Mumbai and its nearby places. It may perplex an average viewer as it's difficult to predict the nature of the film by its title.

'Ek Chalis ki Last Local' is a satirical presentation of nexus among outlaws with corrupt political and social system. It's a one night affair told in a crisp and humorous manner where the underbelly of Mumbai's corrupt social system is exposed. The film works as a black comedy where the protagonist (Abhay Deol) faces reversal of fortune and witnesses the unheard and unexplored secrets of city's big wigs.

'Ek Chalis ki Last Local' has the backdrop of Mumbai; a city of dreams that leads any honest person to corruption has different tales to tell. The fairytale of "rags" to "riches" is the biggest hope of every "Mumbaikar" and crime is their last resort. A corrupt police officer Malvankar (Ashok Samarth) can go to any extent to satisfy his quench for wealth. Ponappa (Vinay Apte), a reigning underworld don who runs chain of beer bars holds the evil tentacles of society. His venomous tentacles include bookies, politicians, entrepreneurs and city's other big wigs that toss their luck through gambling in his beer bar. Besides all such social vultures, there is enticing but honest prostitute Madhu (Neha Dhupia), who develops an eternal bond of love and saves his love interest. Nilesh (Abhay Deol), a middle class call centre employee is her love interest who falls into a messy situation that entangles him with Malvankar and Ponappa. The film runs on many other sub-plots (kidnapping scenes, road encounters) that fail to connect with the script. They extend the film duration and show their irrelevance.

'Ek Chalis Ki Last Local' starts with a monologue where Nilesh (Abhay Deol) narrates the array of incidents that made him multi-millionaire in a span of two and half hour ("Dhayee Ghaante mein Dhayee crore"!). It was fateful night when he misses the last local train of "Ek Chalis" (1.40 A.M) and is stranded on streets. The situation worsens as he is deprived of taxi or auto-rickshaw due to red alert in the city. Madhu alias Mala (Neha Dhupia), a garishly dressed beautiful girl encounters Nilesh on the rainy day. It becomes difficult to spend two hours on a rainy day so they take shelter in a beer bar.

The story plummets completely as Nilesh is dragged into series of undesired adventures. In beer bar he meets his old friend whose "rags to "riches" story impresses him. Nilesh is lured for gambling as his magical hands churns pure gold luck for him and his friend. Ponappa (Vinay Apte), a dreaded criminal-turned-beer bar owner is humiliated and finally mortified when his brother is accidentally killed by Nilesh. Mavlankar (Ashok Samarth), a corrupt police officer raids his place but he is bribed to kill Nilesh and Madhu. Habiba bai (Snehal Dhabi), a eunuch saves Madhu and Nilesh and promises to pay ransom amount. The film runs on an interesting climax where Nilesh and Madhu break loose from them but finally land into Mangesh bhai's (Deepak Shirke) den. Mangesh bhai, a sexually aggressive gay falls for the charm of Nilesh. The film ends with a gory tug of war between Ponappa's and Mangesh Bhai gang where corrupt Mavlankar and his three subordinates are also terminated.

'Ek Chalis ki Last Local' works well as good form of experimentation with honest performances from the lead actors. Sanjay Khandoori should be praised for delivering a flawless film that works well as "black comedy". The film should have been edited for 15-20 minutes by chopping off of irrelevant sub-plots. The director showed his overaggressiveness in depicting the darker side of underworld and gang war by showing undesired blood bath. The film's strongest aspect is its original script (if it is original ?) and well crafted treatment that makes viewers sit on their edge of seat. The film lacks impressive face value as the film boasts a new camaraderie of acting talents. It cannot be clubbed as "comedy" but a satirical work that shows the dark secrets of a metropolitan city and evil facades of the rich and famous. Abhay Deol shows his growth as an actor in his two-year old acting career.

It can be treated as his finest solo performance after his dismal debut in 'Socha Na Tha' and 'Ahista Ahista'. He fits into the caricature of a middle class call centre executive and shows his sincerity in the character. 'Ek Chalis Ki Last Local' will be a stepping stone in his career and if the film succeeds at box office then this might be his biggest bonus. Neha Dhupia excels in the role of a street smart prostitute and her body language justifies her presence. After 'Chup Chup Ke' and 'Delhii Heights', this comes out as her another fine performance that might prove worthy for her. Ashok Samarth gets well in the role of a corrupt police officer while Vinay Apte makes strong impact in the get up of South Indian villain. Snehal Dhabi's eunuch act is also praiseworthy while Deepak Shirke, Virendra Saxena fit into their characters.

Ankur Tiwari delivered "Bheegi Si Raat" excels to perfection while tracks like "Ekka Chukka" and "Akh Ladgaye" work as fillers. Amar Mohile's background score is intimidating and builds a tempo of engrossing thriller. Action (Parvez Khan) is apt to situation and the scenes where Abhay Deol saviors his suitcase on a railway track draws attention. Cinematography (C Vijaysri) works effectively in balancing the emotions on the screen. This may be the first big occasion where a female cinematographer has filmed the entire movie. Sanjay Khandoori and Raghuveer Shekawat's dialogues and screenplay work efficiently at many places in delivering the desired humor through spicy one-liners. The film should have been restricted to few characters, plots and its over-exaggeration in the end shows naivety on the part of the director.

'Ek Chalis Ki Last Local' has strong chances of attracting many viewers from all over the world. The film is a fun-loving joy ride that should bring smiles on the faces of its producers and is a fine example of experimentation where the "black comedy" genre has met with success. In nutshell, it's worth traveling in this local train as it promises loads of bumpy rides and surprises.