The film’s genius lies in its simplicity. The narrative unfolds over a few hours in Mumbai, focusing on two opposing forces: the pragmatic Police Commissioner (played by Anupam Kher) and an unnamed Common Man (played by Naseeruddin Shah). The Common Man calls the police control room to announce that he has planted five bombs across the city, which will detonate unless four specific terrorists are released. On the surface, this is a classic hostage negotiation plot. However, Pandey subverts the genre by shifting the audience’s allegiance. We soon realize that the "terrorist" is actually a retired, ordinary citizen who has lost faith in the system’s ability to deliver justice. His targets are not civilians but the very criminals the state protects due to legal red tape and political pressure.
The "cat and mouse" game played over the phone between these two is masterfully paced, proving you don’t need high-octane explosions to create bone-chilling tension. A Debut Like No Other A Wednesday -2008- Filmyfly.Com
It directly addresses the impact of the 2006 Mumbai train blasts without being preachy. The film’s genius lies in its simplicity
The final monologue remains one of the most iconic moments in Hindi cinema, giving a voice to the frustrated "Stupid Common Man." On the surface, this is a classic hostage negotiation plot