Rangrez Review by Joginder Tuteja

Rangrez Movie Review by Indicine critic Joginder Tuteja

Let me admit this – Rangrez throws a pleasant surprise. With the promos hardly indicating what the fillm is all about, there was a fair bit of apprehension around what the film would have to offer. However as it turns out, Rangrez not just boasts of a different storyline (which is indeed miles away from what is churned out in Bollywood year after year), it is also very interestingly filmed by Priyadarshan, hence resulting in an affair that has goes past you in a jiffy despite a running length of over two hours. In the times when audience patience gets tested with every passing minute, Rangrez makes sure that the time spent in watching the film is best served. Now that’s a win in itself.

In fact it won’t be wrong to say that Rangrez is Priyadarshan’s show all the way. After a series of films that hardly had anything to offer, his ‘Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal’ being the latest (and the biggest) culprit, he finally makes a film which doesn’t just bear his stamp but also has something substantial to offer. More importantly, it tells a story which is indeed different. This means that despite a film about friends and friendship, it neither gets into the Farhan Akhtar world of designer setting nor does it get into a mode that becomes quintessentially filmy. Instead, it bears an element of originality to it which ensures that Rangrez stays on to be a genre in it’s own.

This also means that in this story about Jackky and his two friends, who are trying to find a bearing in Mumbai, the heroine (Priya Anand) doesn’t have an role whatsover to play. In a part which could well be tagged as a thankless guest appearance, she has a lesser importance in the film’s scheme of things when compaed to her well balanced part in English Vinglish. In comparison, even the girl, whom Jackky and his bunch of friends abduct, has perhaps a bigger screen time and of course relevance to the film’s plo

Rangrez Movie ReviewRangrez Review

Well, as it turns out, it is this girl and a boy, who plays Jackky’s friend, who are the central elements of Rangrezz. As a couple who see love going out of the window once the heat settles down under the sheets, they make this team of Rangrez run, fight, get bruised, almost get killed, and suffer a brush with the law. Well, almost for nothing actually.

However, it is the part that leads to the coming together of this couple that holds maximum attention. This means tht right from the word go when Jackky and friends decided to unite this fourth guy with his girlfriend, despite an Ishaqzaade kind of a setup when the couple happens to be kids of warring politicians/businessmen, there is no looking back at all. If the build up is believable, despie slight hint of Kai Po Che! in there, it is the portions that follow that actually bring you to the edge of the seat.

(Spoilers ahead) So right from the time when the friends come together and formulate a plan to the scene at the temple to dare devil abduction that follows to the chase that begins to the heart breaking conclusion leading to the interval point, the tempo of the film reaches an all time high. What makes matters further interesting is a very good background score coupled with the song ‘Shambhu’ that can well be termed as the highlight of the film.

The second half, though not as high on the euphoric quotient when compared to the first half, is still engaging enough. Yes, there is a sub plot around the friends beginning a catering business but that never deviates from the actual plot as you still look forward to what would actually ensue. Moreover, it is the fast paced treatment by Priyadarshan that further helps the cause. What brings the twist in the tale is re-emergence of the runaway couple that makes Rangrezz indeed different from what one has seen in the past. Instead of a mushy outing that one is generally served, what one gets to see is friends wondering aloud if the sacrificed made were indeed worth it. This is what leads to an unconventional, yet realistic climax, which may seem a little abrupt to few. However, given the fact that Priyadarshan didn’t inend to tell a fairy tale this time around, it is just apt.

Amongst actors, Jackky continues to be earnest as ever and graduates from being a college going chocolate boy to someone who has left his cuteness behind and means some serious business. He does well in the dramatic portions and also looks and acts like a boy next door. He is ably helped by each of the actors who play his friends as they bring an element of believability to the scheme of things. Other supporting actors are good too while Pankaj Tripathi and Lushin Dubey, the female politician, make their presence felt. In the midst of this all there is Rajpal Yadav who raises chuckles in practically every scene that he appears.

Music of the film is functional, though Shambhu is what tha plays on your mind even as Gangnam Style is heard in the end credits. Cinematography by Santosh Sivan is excellent as he lits up every frame exceedingly well, depending upon the mood of the situation.

Having said that, it is the unconventonal storyline that would result in the film turning out to be a niche outing. While it is not a love story or a campus affair by a long margin, it does’t even follow the oft repeated path of being a chadhi-buddy friendship story. It takes a route of it’s own which means for audience, there is an an altogether different push required to watch it. However for those who complain around not seeing something original comin out of Bollywood, this remake from a film down South does has something substantial to offer.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Did you watch Rangrezz? Do post your reviews in the comments section below.

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