Freaky Ali

Freaky Ali : Fails to Exploit Nawaz Calibre!

Reviewer's Thumb Mark

Nawazuddin Siddiqui a dependable and a terrific actor struggles hard to keep the film Freaky Ali from sinking by his acts and dialogue delivery. But we know, little can be done by an actor like Nawaz when the plot is weakened with predictable situations, 'rich and poor divide' clichés, rags to riches situations, 8o's kind of a sidekick and goons who are less dreadful and more of buffoons. While watching Freaky Ali one would definitely wonder what would have made Nawaz to sign this film.

Freaky Ali could have been a good sports film if it had been handled with the required amount of panache and cinematic sense of excellence. But unfortunately after watching the movie one can easily gauge that the filmmakers didn't have that kind of vision to offer a class film to the world of entertainment. It seems they just wanted to cash in the rising popularity of Nawazuddin Siddiqui by offering him the titular role of Freaky Ali and Nawaz may not have had any other option but to oblige the 'Khandan' out of love and regard.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the role of Ali a Muslim orphan, found on the steps of a Dargah by a Hindu lady (Seema Biswas) who he calls 'Aaayi' fondly. The film open up to a busy market where Ali is found selling undergarments of all hues. The scene is funny and arouses chuckles in the theatre but soon fades out due to below the belt jokes. Ali thrown out of his job by his shop owner due to some flimsy reasons ends up teaming up with his childhood friend Maqsood (Arbaaz Khan) in his extortion business. Both works for 'Danger Bhai' (Nikitin Dheer) who is accident prone and is more of a buffoon who is always in company of his clumsy and dumb headed cohorts. In one of Ali and Maqsood's extortion bids they happen to meet a golfer Vikram Singh Rathod (Jas Arora) and this chance meeting on the golf ground changes the destiny of Ali. Later, armed and trained by a caddy Kishen Lal (Asif Basra), Ali challenges the champion in many tournaments. What follows is breach of trust, fixing and disappointment on the field. The film fails miserably even after having some best talents in the industry like Seema Biswas, Nawazuddin, and Asif Basra because of its weak story line, very poor execution, disjointed narration and sequences. Amy Jackson as Megha, the manager and love interest of Ali has nothing to do. She doesn't even add the glamour quotient by her presence. Jackie Shroff in his guest appearance as the big baddie is disappointing and unbearable.

This plot of Freaky Ali had the potential to become yet another inspirational sports story if made by any other deft filmmaker and storyteller. In short, there is nothing much to write and appreciate about Freaky Ali except to pray that may good sense prevail in the future projects, if any, by Sohail Khan and his likes in the industry.

Movie Rating: 3/10

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Ali), Arbaaz Khan (Maqsood), Amy Jackson (Megha), Seema Biswas (Sulbha), Jas arora (Vikram Singh Rathod), Nikitin Dheer (Danger Bhai), Asif Basra (Kishen Lal), Genre: Comedy Director: Sohail Khan Producer: Sohail Khan Written by: Sohail Khan, Raaj Shaandilyaa Based on: Happy Gilmore by Tim Herlihy Music by: Sajid-Wajid Cinematography: Mahesh Limaye Edited by: Prashant Singh Rathore Production: Sohail Khan Productions Release Date: 9th September, 2016 Duration: 120 Minutes Language: Hindi

The first thing that strikes you when Freaky Ali begins is what an odd- bod collective this enterprise appears to be: to have Nawazuddin Siddiqui play the lead is a masterstroke, but to have Seema Biswas play his mother? Like, really? This apparent randomness wouldn't have been such a deterrent if the plot had some meat to it because Nawaz is quite capable of carrying a film on his own. But within a few minutes, we know that it is a David-Goliath clash between a 'sadak-chaap' fellow and a suited-booted character. The novelty of it being played out on a golf course dissipates in a few rounds, and it becomes the usual 'tamasha' between goons and good 'uns, and haves and have-nots, its good-natured daftness drowning in silliness. There's a 'message' that's dinned in to us via Nawaz's 'ordinary' man. That no one, even a guy who hawks undergarments at a road-side stall, is worthy of contempt. That golf may be seen as a sport for the wealthy, but there's no stopping anyone from becoming a champion. All you need is skill. And will. The poor vs rich clash is set up for laughs, and we are amused to begin with, but then the amusement dries up.The one person who keeps us watching is Nawaz, who busily shakes a leg and romances a pretty girl (Amy The one person who keeps us watching is Nawaz, who busily shakes a leg and romances a pretty girl (Amy Jackson), when he is not sinking a hole- in-one much to the consternation of his wealthy rival (Jas Arora). His connect with the audience is instant, and he keeps it going with wry one-liners which he delivers with consummate ease. It's also nice to see him in a light-hearted role : except perhaps for his blundering TV reporter in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, who is a hoot, he has been condemned to dark, twisted turns in dark, twisted flicks. In addition, to see him command the screen in a solo turn is a delight : he is our first true subaltern 'hero' who has moved from the fringes to claim the centre.

The first half of this movie does have a couple of cheap laughs - no deep humor, but if you are in the mood for some humor, it wont hurt. You can leave just about an hour into the movie as the story line crumbles and it becomes your usual stereotyped Hindi movie.

If you thought you should have walked out of Vicky Donor in the interval, then you should definitely do the same here.

Recommended: For those who have nothing to do.

Not recommended: For those who have anything else to do - listen to music, read crappy movie blogs, chat with an ex on Facebook; just anything really!

And you don't need to be "Freaky Ali" to find the holes in this over 2-hr course. And this golf course offers you a very bumpy ride with hurdles appearing ever so often, which made it impossible for me to sit through this mindless gimmick posing as a feel-good-comedy. I'm not certain of the purpose behind roping in Amy Jackson. She comes in as the manager of the antagonist then becomes one to the protagonist, but the only thing she seems to have managed through this film, is her limited screen appearance, so that people forget she was even in this movie. Nawazuddin Siddiqui looks so odd making the shots, in his Polo and pants. Even though the veteran tries to make up for the poor screenplay with his acting skills, not even "Bhai" could save this "Freaky Ali".

The well made trailer of the movie aroused some expectations among the viewers lift their butt and go to cinema hall but all efforts went in vain. Although a copy of Hollywood movie Happy Gilmore( which was success neither) this movie also failed to produce any magic. Fulfilled with star cast like Nawaz and Amy, the weak story line made the movie's sail to submerge down. Coming to direction, Sohail made the good start to movie, but in between it loses the track and seems like it is intentionally stretched like chewing-gum.

Golf was a new plot, which could have been made interesting but weak plot and weaker direction led it to nowhere. In acting Nawaz's talent could have been better utilized. Amy Jackson was just a show-piece, nothing much for her in this. Arbaaz Khan seemed worthless too as a second lead. Rest all just played their part. Coming to songs, nothing special nor catchy.

Verdict : Movie can be watched if you are Nawaz's fan else its a time waste.