Ekta Kapoor actually imported Amy Kingston from Sydney for recreating the affair between Mandakini and Dawood Ibrahim in a two-minute scene – precisely as long as it takes by Bollywood standards to start and end lovemaking sessions underneath white silky sheets. Then there was an item number, where Gauhar Khan tried sizzling and gyrating like Helen.

Once Upon… seeks to entertain – it does so resoundingly well; it seeks to establish parallels with real life characters and events as well as to create a period ambience of the 70’s – this part is executed with mixed success. Though when it comes to its third ambition – that of texturing it with a moral debate – what comes across is a half-hearted attempt and failure.

http://www.desimartini.com/movies/movie-jockey-reviews/once-upon-a-time-in-mumbaai/fast-forward-mumbai/1/361-7129-8138047-916.htm

Milan Luthria directs this film and handles it pretty well for the most part. The story is strong except for a few unfathomable turns, and it is multi-layered bringing in many interesting sub-plots, like that of Rihana’s dwindling filmi fortunes and Shoaib’s patient lover. On the negative side it suffers from some shoddy editing and falters a little on the pace, moving a tad slow. Thus it is not as crisp as Company (and I compare this with Company, since it is so strongly the same genre, and features the same lead protagonist), nor is it swift and smart like Maqbool. It is rather like a staid, plodding animal, but so devoted and intent on it’s purpose that you can’t help but pay attention to it.

Well packaged, well written, well shot. Entertaining weekend fare. Special mention about Ajay Devgan's performance. Effortless, yet exceptional. Go watch!