Friday, 8th January 12:40 PM IST

WAZIR is Intriguing Film Without Any Entertainment Value

Pluses:

Minuses:

inconsistent editing, forced placing of songs, pathetic flashbacks, most irritating background score, aimless direction

Critic Rating:

3/5

Business Rating:

1/5

Verdict:

Watch it only for good performances

Detailed Analysis:

Farhan Akhtar gave some solid performances in 'Rock On' and 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'. Beejoy Nambiar delivered an interetsing film 'Shaitaan'. So this combo looks intriguing along with megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

Film has rather complicated storyline, the film starts off with 'musical introduction' of the dynamic ATS officer Danish Ali (Farhan Akhtar), his wife Ruhaana (Aditi Rao Hydari) and their only child Noorie. One day, when Danish is out with his family, his razor-sharp eyes spot a dreaded terrorist Rameez (Naseer Husain). What follows after that is a series of chase sequences, which results in the sudden death of the innocent Noorie. Completely shattered by the death of his child, a mentally disturbed Danish Ali lands up 'eliminating' Rameez, which results in him being suspended from his service.

Unable to bear the grief, one day, just as he is about to kill himself, there enters a chess champion named Panditji aka Omkar Nath Dhar (Amitabh Bachchan) in his life. He, then, teaches Danish the 'similarities' between the 'game of life' and the 'game of chess'. Gradually, the two become the best of buddies and start spending time over drinks and chess. One fine day, Panditji reveals to Danish that his daughter was murdered by the politician Yazaad Qureshi (Manav Kaul) and that he is waiting to take revenge for the same. Danish joins Panditji in his battle against Yazaad Qureshi. As days pass, Danish realizes that Yazaad Qureshi is not just a mere politician, but is more than what meets the eye. Just when Danish plans to eliminate Yazaad Qureshi, Panditji gets 'attacked' by a certain mysterious villain named 'Wazir' (Neil Nitin Mukesh). What happens towards the end is something that turns Danish Ali's world upside down. Who is the real 'Wazir', what happens to Panditji in the end, does Danish Ali become successful in eliminating Yazaad Qureshi is what forms the rest of the film.

The pace of the film is good in the 1st half and there are enough thrills in every 10 minutes to keep its promise with audience. But sudden forced introduction of songs completely breaks the film's pace in addition to irritating background score and unnecessary flashbacks.

Performance wise Amitabh Bachchan is outstanding though his role does not do justice to the caliber. Farhan Akhtar is superb and so honest that he tries his best to make this film work. Aditi Rao Haydri looks clueless and John - Neil Nitin wasted in cameos.

Film has good screenplay and decent dialogues. Film has inconsistent editing as film is good in earlier part of 1st half and then goes haywire repetitive in 2nd half though it is only 92 minutes long. Music is good but does not work in the film. Cinematography is average, production design is perfect and costumes are apt.

Director Beejoy Nambiar has again done same mistake what he did in his last outing 'David' - too much style and dark treatment with little substance. Even the climax looks so predictable that it does not work as thriller at all.

Film released today and it will get good to average reviews but it will get poor opening due to genre/feel/treatment. Film has two open weeks and so the real challenge is to stabilize at box office as this genre tends to open poor but can hold if get good word of mouth.

Go for this one only if you are looking for some great performances!