Azhar

Azhar lacks spine. It is evident in the long disclaimer preceding the film in which the team seems to be making a claim on cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin's colourful and controversial life as a source material yet maintaining that it is a fictional account. All to escape the legal battles the film could land them in.

Azharuddin (Emraan) is a fascinating character to have built a dispassionate film on. A man, who rose meteorically because of his game, the way he let his bat do all the talking on the field. He fell from favour just as fast because of his covetousness and his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal that rocked cricket. He is a man of frailties and shortcomings both on the field of cricket and in the arena of love. But instead of exploring the many shades of grey in him, Tony D'Souza attempts to defend and validate him. Such is the bias that the other players — Manoj, Ravi, Navjot (only first names, no surnames mind you) — get the wrong end of the stick.

Manoj is made to come across not just as jealous and vengeful but selfish, playing for himself than the country and crude and unrefined to boot. Ravi is nothing but a rake. As though that wasn't enough you have Kapil tell Azhar It's the good-for-nothing kids who trouble the class monitor the most. Poor Azhar! Such is the eagerness to justify him that D'Souza makes it seem as though the whole bad world is out to get him. From his haughty fan-turned-prosecutor Mira (Lara Dutta) to the condescending owner of the gym that he inaugurates. Why he took the Rs. 2 crore from bookie M.K. Sharma and what he did with the money is portrayed in such a way as to earn him some desperate brownie points. Even his walking away from an ostensibly fine marriage into the arms of actress Sangeeta Bijlani (Nargis) is turned into a soppy inevitability with him righteously mouthing lines like A broken relationships doesn't actually mean an end of it. But what of Naureen (Prachi), the one who was wronged? When it comes to the craft, the film looks too outmoded in the way it has been mounted — the loud background score soaring over everything else and dialoguebaazi in the name of conversations.

The lines, some of them utterly inane and vacuous, reminded me of heavy duty dialogues of Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. In that masala flick they seemed entertaining, here desperately out of place.

Azharuddin's love for his grandfather becomes a way to draw out melodrama; he gets selected in the national team just as granddad breathed his last. And then there is Azhar's father's obsession with his underwear: the mandatory crass comedy track.

In the name of acting you have Emraan being stiff, staring deep into the camera, looking far from his comfortable self. Prachi and Nargis weep buckets when they are not being coy. Nargis does it most inelegantly. If that wasn't all there is also Kunaal Roy Kapur as Azhar's lawyer. As yet another stereotype of the South Indian in Bollywood, he irritates to the hilt. So does the film.

The movie is not without its flaws though. The attention to detail is quite poor and product placements are too blatant.

But don't let that hold you back. The movie has all the elements of good, clean entertainment. Romance, humor, drama and some urgency make the movie a tight two hours that you won't be bored of.

I don't know whether he did it or not. The movie doesn't argue one way or the other. What it argues is legality of BCCI's verdict. Azhar was the scapegoat of a scandal that had involvement of many on the field and off the field.

Judge him however you want, don't miss the movie

~ MovieRecipe

Biopics are gaining popularity in Indian Cinema as it tells the true incident of a person or event portrayed on the silver screen. With Dirty Picture, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Manjhi-The Mountain Man following the trend, it is thoroughly inspiring and motivating. Will "Azhar" lives up to the reputation and gives you hard-hitting drama with realistic views on life ? Well, let us check it out…

"Azhar" tells the untold story of legendary cricket Mohammaed Azharuddin (played by Emraan Hashmi) who was center of controversy due to one incident which changed his life.

It takes nerve of steel to make biography of a famous personality who took 16 years of his life to fight for justice. First time film maker Tony D Souza does gives a sincere attempt but it too far from making any impact. The film talks about the cricket which is considered as the most famous game in India but matches shown in the film lacks the excitement. Tony D Souza only shows the brighter side of legendary cricketer but when a biography is being made, true introspection of a person's life should be depicted which include the grey areas as well. This is clearly missing in the film. The content of the film and even the characters have not been defined. The real-life drama has been tweaked into reel world with extra spices. The screenplay in the first half is pretty smooth but falls down in the later half. Art direction is good. Cinematography is excellent. Music is tuneful. Dialogues are too corny.

Being fan of Azharuddin, I was expecting Emraan Hashmi to deep-dive into the character. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The actor tries hard but falls flat on the face. Still his performance is sincere compared to his previous films. Other actors like Lara Dutta and Kunal Roy Kapur gives a good performance. Prachi Desai does well in small role while Nargis Fakhri disappoints.

Overall, "Azhar" is a golden opportunity gone wasted.

Azhar, directed by Tony D'Souza, is a biographical drama based on the life of former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin. The film delves into the highs and lows of Azhar's cricket career, his personal life, and the infamous match-fixing scandal that shook the cricketing world. With Emraan Hashmi in the titular role, the movie attempts to present a nuanced portrayal of a man who was both celebrated and vilified.

Plot Summary The story follows Mohammad Azharuddin (Emraan Hashmi) from his humble beginnings in Hyderabad to becoming one of India's most successful cricket captains. The narrative explores his rise to fame, his controversial personal life, and the allegations of match-fixing that led to his fall from grace. The film oscillates between the courtroom where Azhar defends himself against the charges and flashbacks that provide insights into his cricketing journey and relationships.

Performances Emraan Hashmi delivers a convincing performance as Azharuddin, capturing the cricketer's charisma, style, and vulnerabilities. Hashmi's portrayal brings depth to Azhar's character, showcasing both his strengths and flaws. Prachi Desai, as Azhar's first wife Naureen, and Nargis Fakhri, as his second wife Sangeeta Bijlani, add emotional layers to the story, though Fakhri's performance feels somewhat lacking in conviction.

Lara Dutta stands out as the determined lawyer Meera, who is hell-bent on proving Azhar's guilt. Kunal Roy Kapur provides comic relief as Azhar's loyal friend and lawyer, Reddy. The supporting cast, including Gautam Gulati and Manjot Singh, deliver solid performances that enhance the film's narrative.

Direction and Screenplay Tony D'Souza's direction effectively captures the essence of Azhar's life, balancing the glamour of his cricketing achievements with the darker aspects of his career. The screenplay, written by Rajat Arora, provides a coherent structure to the biopic, interspersing courtroom drama with key moments from Azhar's life. However, the film occasionally falters in pacing, with certain sequences feeling rushed or overly dramatized.

Themes and Execution Azhar explores themes of ambition, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. The film attempts to present a balanced view of Azharuddin's life, portraying him as a flawed hero rather than a villain. It delves into the pressures faced by professional athletes and the impact of fame on personal relationships.

While the film addresses the match-fixing scandal, it does so with a sympathetic lens towards Azhar, which may feel biased to some viewers. The depiction of cricket matches and behind-the-scenes politics adds authenticity to the narrative, though the film could have benefited from a more in-depth exploration of the scandal's intricacies.

Music and Cinematography The film's music, composed by Amaal Mallik, is a mix of peppy tracks and emotional melodies that complement the narrative. Songs like "Bol Do Na Zara" and "Itni Si Baat Hain" resonate well with the film's romantic and dramatic moments. Cinematographer Rakesh Singh captures the cricketing action and personal drama with finesse, using a palette that reflects the different phases of Azhar's life.

Conclusion Azhar is a compelling biographical drama that offers a glimpse into the life of one of India's most enigmatic cricketers. Emraan Hashmi's strong performance, coupled with Tony D'Souza's competent direction, makes the film an engaging watch. While the movie does take creative liberties and presents a somewhat sanitized version of events, it succeeds in humanizing Azharuddin and shedding light on his trials and tribulations.

For cricket fans and those interested in the complex lives of sports personalities, Azhar provides an intriguing, if not entirely unbiased, portrayal of a cricket legend's rise, fall, and quest for redemption.

Before Emraan Hashmi begins to portray Azhar, A Disclaimer shows up, saying: The following film is NOT a Biopic on the sport legend, but a rather adaptation on the much-talked personality. So, 'Azhar' is not a biopic, even though it covers almost all highlights of Azhar.

What works, despite that rather underwhelming disclaimer, is the fairly engaging narrative, held nicely by Director Tony D'Souza & Lead-Actor Emraan Hashmi, who bring merit & some sincerity in the goings-on. Though far from perfect, 'Azhar' is a decently made film, that certainly isn't anywhere close to being bad.

'Azhar' is Based on the life of Indian cricketer and former national team captain Mohammad Azharuddin. Right from his triumphant success, to his controversial professional & personal life.

'Azhar' is interesting in parts. Watching Azhar romance between his two wives, as well as take on captaincy in the Indian Team, offer some genuinely arresting sequences. His triumph does leave a mark. However, when Azhar is dragged to court for "match-fixing", the courtroom sequences that follow, are plain ordinary. The courtroom sequences lack fire. Had these sequences been better, 'Azhar' would've been a far superior adaptation.

Rajat Aroraa's Screenplay is quite decent, but why is the drama in the courtroom so lazily written? The Writing needed to be stronger, no two options on that! Even the dialogue, range from massy to entirely ridiculous. Tony D'Souza's Direction is well-done. He has handled the film competently. Cinematography is good. Editing is mostly crisp, but the second-hour could've been sharper. Music by Various Artists, is excellent. Background Score merits a special mention.

Performance-Wise: Emraan Hashmi as Mohammad Azharuddin/Azhar, is at his most sincere. The actor is in form, delivering a credible performance as the legendary sportsman. This is among Hashmi's better works, without doubt! Prachi Desai as Naureen, the first wife of Azharuddin, is excellent. Nargis Fakhri as yesteryear actress Sangeeta Bijlani, the second wife of Azharuddin, looks hot as ever, but falls flat acting wise. Lara Dutta as Meera, who fights against Azhar in court, is strictly okay. Kunaal Roy Kapur as Reddy, who defends Azhar, adapts a south Indian accent so fake, that he turns him into a caricature. Rajesh Sharma as M.K. Sharma, a slimy match fixer, is top-notch, as always. Others lend fair support.

On the whole, 'Azhar' isn't power packed, but its certainly watchable & also well-done in parts.