Malang
Cast: Aditya Roy Kapur, Disha Patani, Kunal Kemmu, Anil Kapoor
Director: Mohit Suric
In Malang it is Goa where drugs, alcohol and blood flow in abundance. Two strangers meet and decide to go for the ultimate thrill of life, only to realize it might not take them anywhere. But who cares until it looks good on the big screen.
Advait (Aditya Roy Kapur) and Sara (Disha Patani) meet in Goa and start living as they please which simply means beaches, cycling and lots of steam. Just as their love begins to grow stronger, tragedy strikes them. Wouldn’t spoil the fun for you, but it changes their lives forever.
Since it is a Mohit Suri (Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain) movie, inner violence would be channeled. This time it takes an even uglier turn, as Advait turns out to be the one who’s killer. Don’t ask me why. Remember it just happens. From here on, it’s a war between him and two agents, Agashey (Anil Kapoor) and Michael (Kunal Kemmu).
In between there are hawkers, gunmen and trigger happy cops. Basically, it has everything you would expect in a Goa based thriller.
It is the writer Aseem Arora whose stamp can be seen on the film as the characters deliver punchlines in a factual tone. It immediately sticks with the viewers.
Consider this one: A bunch of media people ask personal questions of a crime department officer who is harassing one of the journalists. As the journalist in the background answers, Anil Kapoor sighs and says, “You journalist log aaj kal Crime Patrol bahut dekhne Lage hain.”
Then there is another drug lord who speaks in Hindi and Marathi when threatened with a gun. It was funny, at least for me.
Read: Street Dancer 3D Movie Review
Read: Tanhaji The Unsung Warrior Movie Review
What really works in the film’s favor is the pace. Although the developments are quite predictable, they are moving at a rapid pace. The main characters have been given ample time to discover different parts of the story and have more or less done justice to their roles.
Malang starts with Disha Patani emerging from the sea a la Ursula Andress and continues following the party scene in the city. Then comes the police and some large scale planning. All in all, a revenge story with an airtight screenplay by Aniruddha Guha.
As Kapur and Patani take on the challenge, it’s Anil Kapoor who keeps him afloat. Except for a cynical laugh, which reminds you of Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Kick, Kapoor’s game is on point. Kemmu also surprises in some scenes.
What doesn’t work at all is the repetition of the theme and the lack of innovation in the story. Glamorous songs, ripped muscles and overhead camera can’t cover up the lack of urgency.
But all said and done, Malang is an entertaining film and delivers what the trailer promises. For 135 minutes you can go ‘Malang’ (ecstatic).
Rating: 3/5
Interact with Rohit Vats on Twitter/@nawabjha
