Films such as A WEDNESDAY, SPECIAL 26, BABY and M.S. DHONI in the career list of a director makes him one of the most talented creator in the business unarguably. However such successful and appreciated films surely put a lot of pressure on a creator, which at times also results in a shockingly poor product as AIYAARY.
So this is the first time writer-director Neeraj Pandey disappoints and does that in an utterly confused manner, messing up in the very department he is widely known for, i.e. the writing. Elaborating on the same, an engrossing script, a thrilling pace and a brilliant edit had always been the three key features of a Neeraj Pandey film, which sadly go missing in his latest AIYAARI that simply fails to deliver the promised ‘edge of the seat entertainment’.
Beginning with a long disclaimer (as if they have made a path breaking film commenting upon the corrupt system) the film surprisingly progresses at such a snail pace that you wish to check is it really directed by the same Neeraj! Continuing with his passion or liking for secret agents and hackers, this time he surprisingly gives more emphasis to looks, style, locations and a global issue of arms-dealing that rarely works in a lengthy (boring) duration of 160 minutes. Further a confusing timeline doesn’t serve any purpose at all and the characters completely fail to impress despite all forced patriotism in the dialogues missing the required punch. Besides at times the acts hardly match their strong onscreen portrayal. For instance, a trained military secret agent leaves his confidential I-card on a restaurant table for the girl to see and also easily roams around in disguise installing spy device in the office of country’s military chief.
AIYAARY actually never picks post a bad start and keeps coming up with extremely convoluted sequences apart from a casually written romantic sup-plot (with a Hindi-Punjabi khichdi lyrics in its only song), a loud background score trying to keep you awake along a short world tour travelling from Delhi’s Pahar Ganj to London and other cities. In addition, the film also makes a reference to the presently in-trend ’70 years of corruption’ and a known 7 years old scam of a high-rise residential building. Going overboard, it also shows most of the retired military officers as corrupted arms dealers, that also seems to be the reason behind the long detailed disclaimer.
In short, watching the otherwise fine performances of the reputed cast is the only good thing about this major misfire from Neeraj and the names include Manoj Bajpai, Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Vikram Gokhle, Adil Hussain, Kumud Mishra and Rajesh Tailang. Unfortunately neither Rakul Preet Singh adds some charm in her short role nor Sidharth Malhotra looks like a tough secret agent, going with his usual cool, boyish looks contradicting the given role.
Summing up, Neeraj Pandey does explain the meaning of the title AIYAARY in one of his key sequences, but is not able to explain the exact idea behind the project and his script missing the mark coming as big surprise. Hence the film can easily be rated as his weakest attempt till date that is surely going to hurt many fans including myself.
(The article was first published on UC-News Mobile App in February 2018)
------
(Beyond The Review by Bobby Sing)
Though the promos couldn’t create any pre-release excitement, still at least a decent thriller was expected from the supremley talented Neeraj Pandey, who has yet not delivered a dud in his career till date. However the winning streak sadly finds a break in AIYAARY, that nowhere seems to be a film directed by the same Neeraj Pandey of A WEDNESDAY, SPECIAL 26, BABY and M.S. DHONI fame.
Above all, the film also doesn't have any entertaining ‘hide & seek’ games being played between its two lead characters (appearing in several disguises), which was prominently projected/promised in its publicity promos.
In short, never expected I would be feeling so restless and willing to leave a film before it ends written and directed by Neeraj Pandey - one of most talented directors of the present times. Hope he strongly makes a comeback and delivers once again in his next soon.
Rating : 1.5 / 5
