Freaky Ali Review

Sohail Khan has been making movies for almost 2 decades now, and it is always baffling to see him churn out one below average film after another. His best films were back in the 90s as Hello Brother and Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya are still fondly watched today. His last movie Jai Ho was a blot in Salman’s recent track record but Sohail is back with Freaky Ali. The promos have promised a fun sports film. Does it deliver? Let’s find out.

Story: Ali (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is an extortion debt collector for the local goon along with Maqsood (Arbaaz Khan). His fate turns when one day he and Maqsood go to a golf course to collect extortion, after waiting for many hours for a man to give him money. Ali confronts the man who tells him to wait while he finishes the hole. Ali claims the hole is easy, so the man asks him to show it. Ali putts the ball in just one ace for he has a gifted natural swing, This not only surprises the man but his caddy as well who knows him. What follows is a story of a simple extortion debt collector to a golfing sensation, and along the way of him becoming a champion, Ali beats all odds and meets his dream girl, Megha (Amy Jackson).

Review: Freaky Ali has an outlandish storyline which could have been made into a super entertaining film in the mould of a David Dhawan film from the 90s. The story of a poor guy going head to head against a rich guy is straight out of that David Dhawan template. Unfortunately, Freaky Ali isn’t even half as engaging as those films. The scenes are put together without care for fluidity. The dialogues are stuck in the 90s and don’t illicit a lot of laughter. Thankfully, Freaky Ali isn’t a total trainwreck either. It manages to keep the viewer interested but not engaged.

Technically, Freaky Ali looks like a movie which didn’t invest much in the production design department. The inferior detailing is visible. The costume design is good. The editing is decent but some scenes could have been sniped altogether. The background music doesn’t match the nature and context of the movie. The soundtrack of Freaky Ali isn’t very memorable as none of the songs really make an impact. To concur the outlandish storyline, Freaky Ali could have done with some outlandish songs too.

Acting: Dare we say it, Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s casting is a wrong decision, even if it seems great on paper. Freaky Ali was calling out for a star who would bring his own charisma and star value to the role of Ali. Sadly, Nawazuddin hams it up a bit too much which is painful to see. Seema Biswas, another legendary actor, gives him company in hamming it up. What are these two doing in a movie like Freaky Ali, could be the subject of a PHD thesis soon. Jas Arora looks menacing and princely and is a good casting decision. Amy Jackson is stunning when it comes to looks but she can’t act.

Conclusion: Freaky Ali is a great example of a story concept which could have worked wonders had the execution of the product been in able hands. Sohail Khan makes a movie which could have been rip-roaringly funny but settles with being moderately funny. It is not unwatchable by any means. In fact, Freaky Ali can even be enjoyed to an extent if you are willing to overlook the flaws and the inferior detailing. Eventually, Freaky Ali isn’t a hole in one, it turns out to be par for the course.

Positives:

  • The concept gives enough material for a funny movie
  • The editing is snappy
  • Freaky Ali doesn’t bore the audience

Negatives:

  • Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a wrong casting choice
  • It could have been very funny but settles with a lot less
  • The production design is tacky
  • The music is not memorable

Rating: ★★½☆☆

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