Monday, 2nd June 01:15 PM IST

FILMISTAAN Depicts Power Of Cinema In Style
 

 

Pluses:

 

Sharib Hashmi is outstanding, Inammulhaq displays honest act, Gopal Duttand Kumud Mishra are hilarious, neatly directed, smart story idea

 

Minuses:

 

screenplay is drag, dialogues are underwhelming, background score is amateur

 

Critic Rating:

3.5/5

 

 

Business Rating:

1.5/5

 

 

Verdict:

 

Watch it for some great performances and smart story idea

 

 

Detailed Analysis:

 

 

After success of 'Tere Bin Laden', there are films like 'War Chhod Na Yaar' which tried hands at Indo Pak relation in humorous way. Now we have another film which takes a dig at Indo - Pak relation in a lighter manner aided with power of cinema.

Film has rather tricky story - in Mumbai, affable Bollywood buff and wanna-be-actor Sunny, who works as an assistant director, fantasizes on becoming a heart-throb star. However, at every audition he is summarily thrown out. Undeterred, he goes with an American crew to remote areas in Rajasthan to work on a documentary. One day an Islamic terrorist group kidnaps him for the American crew-member. Sunny finds himself on enemy border amidst guns and pathani-clad guards, who decide to keep him hostage until they locate their original target. The house in which he is confined belongs to a Pakistani, whose trade stems from pirated Hindi films, which he brings back every time he crosses the border. Soon, the two factions realize that they share a human and cultural bond. The film shows how cinema can be the universal panacea for co-existence. 

Performance wise, every body pitches in with impressive act. Sharib Hashmi delivers an honest and superb act as cinema obsessed guy. Even is worse situations he comes up with some famous Bollywood lines. Inaamulhaq is the real gem of this film. He is simply superb in understated character and his dialogue delivery is authentic. Kumud Mishra as terrorist is simply outstanding and he enacts a complex character with much ease. Gopal Dutt is too good.

Editing is crisp but repetitive screenplay especially in 2nd half gets boring. Story idea does not get full justice because of one dimensional writing. Dialogues are inconsistent and background music does not enhance the situation. Art direction does add immensely to the film.

But yes it is director Nitin Kakkar who delivers an amazing film. He presents idea that power of cinema can bring people of opposing countries together. His characterization is spot on and takes out impressive performances from not so well known actors. Watch out for 'Miane Pyar Kiya' playing in Pakistan and Sharib's character lip syncing dialogues for the film - goosebumps!

Film will release on 6th June and should get niche release across 400 screens. Film will get competition from big Bollywood release 'Holiday'. Film should open with small initials but good word of mouth coupled with exceptional reviews can boost its prospects at box office and that also look tough at the moment.

Go for this one if you love cinema!