Malang deconstructed

Mohit Suri. The name invokes a sinister sense of deep human emotions. He went a bit off track with his last two films; but he is definitely back with a bang with Malang Unleash the madness (I’d rather just call it Malang but this is BOLLYWOOD; We always need a tagline for Titles. Just in case there is confusion).

Mohit Suri’s directorial of an Aniruddha Guha/Aseem Arora story/screenplay is intense, partially thrilling and borderline violent. It gloats in the layers of sinister human emotions portrayed by the capable ensemble.

I’ve always been a fan of Mohit Suri’s brand of films (Except 3 odd films) and Malang is very much in his comfort zone. He loves creating such films; full of extreme human emotions. Malang is a film full of colors signifying the corresponding human emotions and the production design team has done a great job of matching this aspect of characters. There are parties, beaches, the gorgeous sea, bike rides, fun and frolic, all of the Goan Susegado vibe in play. And then there are loud thuds, gunshots and blood spattering every now and then. This and that (Unleash the madness I guess). But having said that, it bodes well for the otherwise staid screenplay. The characters slowly unfold and everything is intertwined before you know it.

I confused the very able Aditya Roy Kapoor for John Abraham a couple of times at least throughout the run time. The film opens with 2 fiercely choreographed scenes. They are played to perfection. Aditya Roy Kapoor, beating up a bunch of men. At least 20 of them. With his bare hands. Like meat. It’s superb, the way the camera follows the choreography. However, the sound could have been a little more real and authentic. The created sounds take away all the fun from the thrashing. And Anil Kapoor, getting into words of play with a Goan bar owner. His dialogue delivery is so eery you are convinced something terrible is going to happen. And it does. The tone is set right at the opening of the film. It doesn’t take a lot of time to establish the shades of the characters, which get more and more twisted as you are drawn into the film.

After the interval, the film really draws you in and this is Mohit Suri at his best. His hopeless connection with deep human passions and personal loss is at its glory and the film shines when all the characters do their thing; connected to their own deep passions. Be it extreme insecurity for Kunal Kemmu’s Michael Rodrigues or the seed of revenge that drives Aditya Roy Kapoor’s Adwait Thakur. For that matter, the borderline psychotic policing of Anil Kapoor’s Agashe is the most twisted. Loss and revenge and deep passions; they totally make this film worth one watch at least.

The film tends to be a little stodgy at times but it’s bearable. After the interval, it completely pulls you in and the screenplay is electric. Apart from an impressive ensemble, the supporting cast is also very able (Another Mohit Suri highlight). The fact that the story is based in Goa helps make it more colorful what with the rave parties, the beaches, the drug menace, the neon and the picturesque setting. The cinematography is brilliant barring a few scenes let down by cheap CGI. It especially shines during the underwater sequences.

Aditya Roy Kapoor does a fine job portraying bravado without losing his boy next door charm. His walk is very John-isque. Disha Patani comes and goes but her part is well written. Anil Kapoor shines on as usual for the Nth time portraying the violent and temperamental SHO Agashe with ease. However, its Kunal Kemmu who steals the show with his brilliant portrayal of Michael Rodrigues; a man of many shades. And Kemmu kills it. This will be a milestone in his career. Apart from the cast, it’s a very well executed film barring cheap CGI and melodramatic sound design. Music is used to great effect to help the story; another Mohit Suri highlight. My takeaway from the film is: go watch it at least once. It is full of raw action, deep human emotions and somehow, Aditya Roy Kapoor’s charm will draw you in. Wish he does more such work.

A sequel is already in the works. I hope the team doesn’t spoil the broth by pulling the emotional strings a little too much. Until then, watch Malang and unleash the madness.

Deconstruct meter : 3/5