Dir: Pradeep Sarkar Cast: Neil Nitin Mukesh, Deepika Padukone
LAFANGEY PARINDEY
A; ACTION/DRAMA
Dir: Pradeep Sarkar
Cast: Neil Nitin Mukesh, Deepika Padukone, Piyush Mishra, Manish Chaudhary, Namit Das, Vinay Sharma
Rating: **1/2
What's it about: After his spectacular start with Parineeta, Pradeep Sarkar's next film, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag had its moments but its dismal performance at the box-office kept him out of the race. Producer Aditya Chopra has given him yet another chance with Lafangey Parindey. Given the fact that we are fast becoming a nation obsessed with reality song-and-dance shows, it was a good idea to cash in on the craze and make a film on the subject. Pinky (Deepika Padukone) wants to win the India's Got Talent contest and get away from the poor basti she lives in. But then she loses her eyesight in an accident. That's when Nandu (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a local tapori, who makes a living winning boxing matches blindfolded for a local goon, decides to help Pinky 'see' and help her win the contest. Soon enough, they fall for each other and the rest just falls into place.
What's hot: Pradeep Sarkar manages to create a typical lower middle-class neighbourhood. The characters look the part. Also the dream to win a big ticket and escape from the daily drudgery is plausible. Neil Nitin Mukesh adds sincerity to a role and looks his part. Deepika Padukone notches up yet another noteworthy performance. The lead pair has a pleasing chemistry that works.
What's not: The film's premise is interesting but Sarkar fails to take it to a higher level. Although it is about a girl who believes she is the best skater in the world, her acts on the stage are just about good. They needed to be breathtaking. Another problem is that there are too many stereotypes. The mandatory unemployed four friends of the hero, the useless brother, the oversmart kid, Raheem chacha who owns the corner tea shop, the Maharastrian aunty who prays for Pinky and Nandu and many more. The tapori lingo is also overdone. And the characters sound like they're reciting dialogues; they seem uncomfortable and alien to the language. The film especially takes a dip in the second half and the screenplay begins to meander.
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What's that! When Pinky is lying in a coma in the hospital, her mascara is intact. Guess that's one more service that an ICU now provides.
What to do? If you've ever participated in a talent show, attended one or want to win one, this is the film for you.
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