Ferrari Ki Sawaari

To start with FERRARI KI SAWAARI may not be a perfect film since it does have its flaws including its over length and few avoidable scenes & songs. But ignoring its weak points the film is indeed "One of the Best FAMILY movies of 2012" which even reminds you of another perfect family entertainer, 3 IDIOTS presented by the same production house.

The film obviously revolves around the subject of Cricket and A Ferrari, yet it's not entirely a SPORTS movie as you might be thinking. On the contrary, it is a film based on relationship between a father, a son and a grandfather. In poetic words it's a film based on cricket where the team consists of only 3 players and the rest all are simply cheering for them in their own unique ways.

FKS firstly becomes an enjoyable experience for everyone because of its emotional theme which talks about the most untouched or tense relationship in a middle class family that is between a father and his son. It enlightens a young father about how to bring in more positivity into this important bonding taking it onto a different level altogether.

Secondly it very importantly teaches you the value of Forgiveness when a person simply forgets and forgives his dear friend for having played a dirty game with him (ruining his entire life), arising out of professional jealousy & greed. And I rate a particular scene in the film, between Boman & Paresh as one of the best scenes of current times, capable of teaching you the art of forgiveness in just a few seconds.

Thirdly but most importantly, FKS actually gets converted into a worth watching film because of its two flawless performances by Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani wherein they both quietly surpass their own benchmarks set in their other famous masterpiece 3 IDIOTS. Sharman Joshi is simply exceptional in his simple yet impressive performance of an honest father. He infuses great positive energy in the entire film, especially in the opening and last 15 minutes when you honestly cannot stop falling in love with his character on screen. Complimenting him beautifully there is Boman Irani who undoubtedly is one of the most talented character actors in Hindi Film Industry at present. Boman simply takes over from Sharman like a relay race post intermission and delivers an even better performance than his 3 Idiots. Completing the trio is Ritwik Sahore, the kid who despite of being placed in front of such great actors, superbly makes his presence felt with elegance. Further, this team of 3 gets great encouragement from a brilliant supporting cast lead by Seema Pahwa, who is superb as the wedding planner and completely steals the show in many of her scenes.

Paresh Rawal is bang on in his short cameo and so are the other actors contributing a lot in the overall impact of the film. Cinematography adds to the excitement related with the Ferrari along with a fine background score. But musically, Pritam is just OK with nothing great as one does not remember the songs once out of the theater. The tag line of the review calls it a 'near perfect' film since FKS does have few weaker moments in its narration which could have been tackled in a better manner.

For instance the complete side track of a corrupt politician and his son's wedding seems to be a bit over the top with many cardboard like characters. The plot also takes too many liberties with the Ferrari moving freely on the roads without being noticed and the song with the car flying in the air in reality looks absurd and avoidable. As seen in many earlier movies on cricket, the scenes featuring the game once again remain the weakest ones. Like, how can one look for hitting the wickets when the ball is being pitched way outside the off-stump (when Boman is bowling to his grandson)? Now as mentioned before, Why I would like to ignore these drawbacks in totality? That's because we all lack one major feature in our lives which is called POSITIVE THINKING and FKS is full of the same positivity we all are looking for. We don't get to see such positive films too often and that doesn't mean that it is a 'weepy movie' at all. The film has a father and his son living their lonely life with a great positive attitude, people or neighbors helping out each other in the times of need and it even has good policemen, miles away from the routine kind of men on duty seen in every other film.

Keeping that in mind, FERRARI KI SAWAARI is indeed one of the best FAMILY films of 2012. It is a fine first time attempt by director Rajesh Mapuskar backed by the same talented men (Vidhu Vinod Chopra & Raj Kumar Hirani), who gave us Munna Bhai films and 3 Idiots. So that should be another big reason why it deserves to be seen by all.

It wouldn't be wrong if I said Vidhu Vinod Chopra has become a factory which mostly produces a set of good at heart, inspirational yet thought provoking movies. 'Ferrari Ki Sawaari' is no exception. The job this time is given to débutant director Rajesh Mapuskar who earlier was the assistant director in 3 idiots. A simple and honest RTO officer, Sharman Joshi as Rusy (Rustam Deboo) falls in a dilemma when his promising cricketer son Ritvik Sahore as Kayo (Kayoze Rustam Deboo) gets an opportunity to join a cricket camp in London but requires a fee of 1.5 lakh rupees. To add to that we have Boman Irani as Father of Rusy who himself was a very talented cricketer but was betrayed by his friend during the final selection and thus considers cricket a waste of time. When a glimmer of hope knocks at the door as Sharman is promised the sum of money in place of a Ferrari ride for a few hours he steals it from Sachin Tendulkar's house. What happens then forms the crust of the story. The good thing about such movies is that even if they have 2 or 3 scenes that have that emotional and feel good touch it becomes terribly hard to hate them. And FRS has them. Pritam's music is mostly enjoyable although I did find Vidya Balan's item number unnecessary. Sharman Joshi gives a strong performance proving that he too can pull off lead roles and Kayoze does pretty well too. Actually, in a few scenes I was astonished to see how closely Kayoze's expressions and dialogue delivery resemble to that of Sharman . But Boman Irani steals the show for me. Still, I cannot say that the film lies in the same place as Munna Bhai. It could have easily been 15 minutes shorter and a bit more compact. Nonetheless, it has it's heart at the right place which makes it a good watch. 2.5/5

This is a modern day fairy story with a heart of gold. Slightly manipulative emotionally but forgivably so.

Sharman, a Parsi, chronic do-gooder, an honest RTO officer, probably below the new Parsi poverty line of Rs 90,000 pm, wants to send his son, Ritvik, to a cricket coaching camp at Lords, London. He's a cinch to get selected but the only hitch is the Rs 1.5 lac fee. Many loan rejections later, the only way out seems to be via a wedding planner, Seema . Who's willing to give him the amount as a gift if he can arrange a Ferrari for a few hours. So that a corrupt corporator's useless son can get married in it. The problem is, there is only one Ferrari in Mumbai. Belonging to Sachin Tendulkar.

Another problem is posed by Sharman's dad, Boman Irani, who hates cricket, thinks most cricketers are salesmen. And is dead against sending his grandson for the camp.

The story line is simple and thankfully remains so through the film, with possibly my only issue being with the suicide angle and the breakdown towards the end. Else, it remains light, chirpy and cheerful all the way through. The film is lit up by some very well written characters and excellent performances. The waiter at the Mumbai Cricket Association who wants an autograph because in an inconsequential match 38 years ago, the cricketer had taken 8 wickets on a dead pitch. The bumbling but good hearted security guard at Sachin's flat. Sharman's boss who informs him that the wheels of loans against Provident Fund grind correctly but exceedingly slowly. The cop nicknamed Mahatma Gandhi. The corporators dramebaaz son. The cricket coach. The bubbly wedding planner. The gun happy corporator. Sharman and Boman, who do an as expected great job. And above all, I loved the son. His smile lights up the screen and our hearts in a truly honest performance.

The background music, with the cricket song and also the title song deserving special mention. Keeps the mood effervescent through the film. Some moments, as mentioned above, and an unnecessary lavani number by Vidya Balan are the only discordant notes in the film, everything else being spot on.

The film is about our nations obsession with cricket. How it touches the hearts of millions. Of how some of our cricketers inspire a few hundred thousand to dedicate their lives to the sport. Its about the simple but sometimes forgotten values of life. Honesty. Behaving correctly. Doing good. And about something that most current newspaper headlines make us forget. That good things happen to good people

Rajesh Mapuskar's 'Ferrai Ki Sawaari' is a decent film, that relishes on simplicity. However, this film's actual merit is its leading man, the sinfully under-rated Sharman Joshi, who shines in his part & delivers a career best performance.

'Ferrai Ki Sawaari' Synopisis: How the pursuit of an Indian cricket legend's Ferrari makes a young boy's dreams of playing cricket at Lords a reality.

Rajesh Mapuskar & Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Screenplay is simple & uncomplicated. Its a decent story about dreams & hope. However, the writing in the first-hour, is extremely slow. Rajesh Mapsukar's Direction is noble. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are fine. Music by Pritam, is ordinary.

Performance-Wise: As mentioned, Sharman Joshi delivers a career best performance. He's excellent from start to end. Boman Irani has essayed this kinda character a number of times before, but the actor manages to impress, as always. Ritvik Sahore is a talented, sincere performer. Deepak Shirke is amazing, so is the entire supporting case. Acting Giant Paresh Rawal stuns in a cameo, while Vidya Balan's item number is energetic.

On the whole, Watch 'Ferrari Ki Sawaari' for its simplicity & Sharman Joshi's winning performance.

Ferrari Ki Sawaari is a joy ride, yes. But there is so much drama in this joy ride, that you stop enjoying it and wonder when it'll get over. But overall, it's a decent film. One might actually enjoy it, but it's very long and dramatic. It starts off with great intent, but becomes too much of a fantasy towards the end. It's nowhere close to the recent films from the Vidhu Vinod Chopra films (3 Idiots or the Munna Bhai series), but is a modest effort nevertheless.

Acting: 7/10 Story-Screenplay-Direction: 7/10 Technical Aspects: 8/10 Is it worth your time and money??: Ferrari Ki Sawaari is a movie with its heart at the right place, but it just doesn't deliver enough. It's a family movie, for kids and parents will enjoy it, but I don't think youngsters will like it so much. Unless you want to take along your parents (like I did) or kids, wait for the DVD.

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