Nautanki Saala Movie Review

Nautanki Saala Movie Review by Indicine critic Joginder Tuteja

The promos of Nautanki Saala had pretty much laid the foundation for what was in store for the audience. While the indications were pretty much there that this was a sophisticated light hearted film in the offering, one also wondered if the end result may turn out to be a little too niche for a larger segment of audience. As it turns out, the film indeed has a niche appeal to it, even as it tries to make a difference towards storytelling. However there are ample humorous moments, mainly in the first half, which are enough to keep you engaged, especially in the first half. How one wishes though that the momentum was sustained, especially towards the last 30 odd minutes.

For the large hearted Ayushmann Khurranna, it could well be a routine to  help people in distress. This is what he does when he finds a random youngster (Kunal Roy Kapoor) trying to commit suicide. He saves his life, brings him home, risks relationship with his steady girlfriend (Gaelyn Mendonca), ropes him in for an all important part of Ram in his play (Raavan Leela), falls in love with Kunal’s ex-girlfriend (Pooja Salvi) and ends up being Raavan in everyone’s life. This, when all along he just wanted to be Ram and make things right

Nautanki SaalaNautanki Saala Review – Ayushman Khurana

With a simple plot like this in hand, Rohan Sippy does well to keep things simple as well. He doesn’t complicate the narrative at all and that actually turns out to be a major strength of Nautanki Saala. Despite the plot carrying enough potential to turn into a roller coaster ride (which at times could turn awry), Nautanki Saala stays on course instead of throwing in irrelevant surprises, twists or turns.

This means that the film stays on to be ‘keep your smiles on’ film where there regular laughs thrown in as well. Ayushmann’s attempts to turn Kunal into an actor, each and every sequence where he entices Pooja for break up with her boyfriend, the scene set in a hotel, the one where both Ayushmann and Kunal land up at Pooja’s balcony – all of this stays in your mind. There are a few heartwarming scenes as well. Japanese audience coming and applauding Kunal for his performance, the one where he hands over a ring to Ayushmann and then the one in the lobby of Pooja’s apartments where the story changes it’s course – these sequences do work.

However just when one expected that story would turn further interesting, there is a dip in the narrative. Too many songs follow one after another while the interactions between lead protagonists start losing spice. The break up that follows doesn’t leave an impact either while the patch up is just about ordinary too, even though an attempt is made to draw parallel between Ramayana and story that goes in the lives of the protagonists. Of course, and as stated earlier, Rohan wanted to play the game differently and that has to be acknowledged. However this also means that eventually the audience base gets a tad restricted as well.

The man who would find a much wider audience though is Ayushmann Khurranna. The youngster is perfectly right in his part and plays natural to the core. In a part which is different from the loud mouthed Vicky that he had played in his debut film, Ayushmann just steps into the story and makes it his own without going overboard even once. Kunal, who has lost considerable weight since Delhi Belly, is fine in his part as well though one wonders if the laidback style is his natural way of acting or the requirement of the films that he has done. Gaelyn is natural though and it is surprising that she didn’t form a major part of the promotion. Pooja looks cute-n-hot and plays her part of a bimbo to the T. Evelyn is hardly there and as Sita, all she does is smile, and then smile more.

At the box office, there should be some smiles though, if not the time to pop the champagne, since the film has opened just about decent. Given the merits of the film, it should find audience in upmarket multiplexes due to it’s sophisticated appeal. Though at single screens it would be sacrilege to expect footfalls, the film has a week to make moolah and go past the safety mark before competition arrives in the form of Ek Thi Daayan.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

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4 Comments

  • Nautanki Saala is no where to the level of Vicky Donor. I didnt like it much but it also could be that I was carrying too high expectations. 2.5 star

  • Ayushman and Kunal were stars of the show. The actress cant act to save her life ,she isnt pretty either. Why cant a director like Rohan Sippy opt for better female actors? I think the girls ruined the show. A prettier face with better acting skills would have made the movie a must watch.

    Also the plot was a little too thin storyline wise. Slow in the second half where it dragged endlessly.

  • d film was decent nothing special also it dragged a lot in the second half but its also unfair to compare it to vicky donor only because of its lead star

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