Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | February 08, 2020

Rating: 4 / 5

The essence: Malang, true to its promise, does unleash the madness. Step out if you want an action flick with no-frills attached. Don’t miss the ending, not a solid impact, but a twist nonetheless. Mohit Suri has an ‘antidote’ for every scene and this is what makes the film work.

It’s always a risky venture when a director decides to go back-and-forth to ‘unleash’ his narrative. Many a times, this does not work as the focus (read continuity) is lost and so does the plot. However, Mohit Suri has a firm grip on the goings-on in Malang as he effortlessly swings back-and-forth to keep the five-year period of drama and action alive and kicking.

The action begins almost immediately as a rugged up Advait Thakur (Aditya Roy Kapur) knocks off his tormentors in prison with an iron fist, with just his back facing the camera. The action is as tight as his taut body. The camera angle builds up the adrenalin rush. The next scene cuts to Anjaneya Agashe (Anil Kapoor) in a Goa Family Bar and Restaurant as he engages the owner (dealing in drugs) in a candid conversation as he appears to be snorting some substance. The scene builds up to a nicety and culminates in gunshots, thus announcing the arrival of Inspector Agashe who believes in an ‘encounter’ rather than due process of law.

Immediately, his mobile rings and a voice at the other end informs him of a killing about to happen. A cop is killed and then another and then another before Advait surprisingly surrenders.

Michael Rodrigues (Kunal Khemu) is notably upset as all three police officers worked under him in the crime branch. The action has been laid bare, now Mohit goes into flashback to show a happy-go-lucky Advait on the run from his broken home holidaying in Goa where he runs into Sara (Disha Patani), also on the run from her home abroad. The two are on a wild chase trying out drugs and drinks before they get serious in their relationship, and then there is a twist in the tale.

Mohit Suri engages the viewer with a slickly stitched action plot that does not lose its rhythm, nor goes overboard. Giving him ample support are the main leads—Aditya Roy Kapur, Disha Patani and Kunal Khemu with excellent support from Amruta Khanvilkar, Keith Sequeira, Makarand Deshpande and Shaad Randhawa, who stand out while the rest stay true to their characters. In fact Shaad Randhawa is so bloody good in his three-minute role that he throws light on marriage and its after-effects. It’s almost like a powerful documentary on the subject. And mind you, he is not seen after that but he leaves a lasting impact, not only on the hero but also on the viewer!

Aditya Roy Kapur does justice to both his roles. As a killing machine, he is mean and dangerous, while five years earlier, even his voice had no confidence—a complete character shift to fit both roles with correct body language.

Disha Patani delivers what she has been asked to and does it with aplomb. She sizzles on screen, is soft and romantic when required and melts your heart when caught in a vulnerable state. A good rise in performance from her earlier films where she never even warranted a mention (Baaghi 2)! Moreover, as a pair, Aditya and Disha simply set the screen on fire.

Anil Kapoor as Agashe swings the viewer attention whenever he is on screen. A paisa vasool performance from the ever-green hero who gives heroes his children’s age a run for their money! There’s energy, drive and purpose in his assault on screen. There’s also that old-world jhakaas charm that he brings into his character which stays within the limits to make an impact. Mohit Suri is careful not to do a Tashaan here! He keeps the balance in check.

The surprise of the film, however, is Kunal Khemu who is as clinical as he is effective. Definitely, this guy deserves better roles for him to shine which will take off the negative impact Go Goa Gone left on him in 2013. Incidentally, it is Goa that redeems his career! A super comeback!

Malang, true to its promise, does unleash the madness. Step out if you want an action flick with no-frills attached. Don’t miss the ending, not a solid impact, but a twist nonetheless. Mohit Suri has an ‘antidote’ for every scene and this is what makes the film work.

CREDITS
Producer: Luv Ranjan, Ankur Garg, Krishan Kumar, Jay Shewakramani
Director: Mohit Suri
Star Cast: Disha Patani, Aditya Roy Kapur, Anil Kapoor, Shaad Randhawa, Amruta Khanvilkar

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