Thursday, 22nd October 11:40 AM IST

SHAANDAAR Entertains But Only In Parts

Pluses:

Minuses:

Sanjay Kapoor and Pankaj Kapoor are irritating, pathetic background score, uneven writing, 2nd half dips big time, direction seems confused

Critic Rating:

2.5/5

Business Rating:

3.5/5

Verdict:

Watch it for leading pair

Detailed Analysis:

Vikas Bahl made impressive debut with 'Chillar Party'. Then he gave 'Queen' and film remained in theaters for ten weeks and became kind of cult in urban centers. Now he is back with destination wedding cum romantic comedy.

The film has been described as India’s first destination wedding film. It revolves around the story of Joginder (Shahid Kapoor) who is a wedding planner. Tata is an East Indian businessman who hires Joginder for her daughter’s marriage. Her other daughter Alia (Alia Bhatt) shares a quirky chemistry with Joginder as both suffers from insomnia. Tata and Alia’s dad has a tumultuous relationship due to their past. 30-40 minutes in the movie and you will realize that there is not much Shaandaar in this hyped film. When their in-laws make an entry, we had no clue where this story is forwarding. For the rest, watch the film to find out. You will wait for something to happen as the film will progress. But actually no such thing occurs and you left disappointed.

The pace of the film is good in the 1st half and there are some very funny moments. But the director lost the plot in the 2nd half and did not know how to wind up the film.

There isn’t much of a script in terms of storyline. It is that kind of film where you just have to go with the flow and do not think much about the story. .

Performance wise Shahid Kapoor is complete package as he dances well, acts well and makes you laugh throughout. But it is Alia Bhatt who carries film on her shoulders and simply stunning throughout, watch out for her act in climax scene. Pankaj Kapoor again proves that he does not belong to such commercial set up and Sanjay Kapoor is loud. Sanah Kapoor is average and Sushma Seth is funny. Karan Johar has sparkling cameo and Naseeruddin Shah is narrator. Qawwali sequence is one of the best parts of the film.

Film has below par screenplay but dialogues are good. Though stale story disappoints to an extent. Film has razor sharp editing. Music is average and couple of songs work. Cinematography is good and production design is perfect. Background score is irritating.

Director Vikas Bahl has not done even half decent job with this one and disappoints big time. He seems confused as film becomes mad - cap and then very soulful romantic types and in the end we do not get a 'Shaandaar' film.

Film will release today and it will get average reviews but it will get a good opening due to lead pair and holiday. Film might suffer in north and east due to Navratri festivities and cricket match will affect it to an extent. But still it should come out with very good day one as there is not much competition at box office and then word of mouth will decide its fate in long run.

Go for this one only if you are Shahid or Alia fan!