๐๐๐ (Three star emojis for the rating)
Well well well, look what Bollywood has cooked up this time! An upper-crust family in a swanky Mumbai high-rise and a scrappy slum family get tangled in a web of chaos and calamity. The stage is set for a catastrophic collision of worlds that promises to be life-altering. But is it, really? Letโs find out, shall we?
Hello, world! Itโs your favourite critic, Review Rani, back with her snarky, sharp take on โVisfot,โ which translates to โexplosionโ in English. Directed by Kookie Gulati, this Bollywood adaptation of the Venezuelan film โRock, Paper, Scissorsโ is supposed to be a roller coaster of tension and terror. However, it feels more like a kiddie ride with highs and lows that just donโt pack enough punch.
Our key players are an everyday taxi-driver Shoeb Khan (Fardeen Khan), who unwittingly swaps his jacket with one stuffed with illicit substances, and Akash (Riteish Deshmukh), a jet jockey whose life takes a nosedive when he discovers his wife Tara (Priya Bapat) has been playing away. As their day descends into chaos, the two menโs lives get more tangled than a Bollywood dance routine in a plot involving the mafia, the cops, and their unsuspecting families.
The plot starts with a bang, thanks to Abbas and Hussain Dalalโs engrossing script. Youโre on the edge of your seat, holding your breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But then, the storyโs speed-breakers appear in the form of worn-out twists, and a song that feels as out of place as a polar bear in the Sahara desert. The climax is more like a fizzle than a โVisfot,โ leaving you with a sense of โmeh.โ
Despite this, โVisfotโ isnโt all smoke and no fire. The performances ignite sparks that keep the film from becoming a complete dud. Fardeen Khanโs Shoeb is as real as it gets, capturing the frenzy of a man drowning in disaster. Riteish Deshmukh brings depth to his role as Akash, showing us a man wrestling with his weaknesses and woes. Priya Bapatโs portrayal of Tara is as strained as the marriage sheโs stuck in, and Krystle DโSouza as Lucky adds a dash of charm, although her role could use a bit more meat. Seema Biswas as Acid Tai is as threatening as a looming storm, while Sheeba Chadhaโs brief appearance as Shoebโs mother adds emotional depth to the story.
โVisfot,โ despite its name, isnโt exactly explosive. Its pacing is as inconsistent as Mumbaiโs monsoons, and the climax is diluted like a weak cup of chai. Yet, the performances and the tension-drenched narrative manage to keep you watching. Itโs like a firecracker that doesnโt quite pop, but still gives off a few sparks. With a bit more finesse, it could have been a real Bollywood blockbuster.
Raniโs Wrap-Up: โVisfotโ is like a pressure cooker that promises an explosion but only delivers a simmer. But hey, who doesnโt love a good underdog story, even if itโs a bit undercooked? So, grab your popcorn and go in with tempered expectations. You might just enjoy the ride! ๐ฟ๐ฌ