Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota

I cannot describe how fun this movie actually is.

This is one of the most creative surprises I have ever seen come out of Bollywood. This film is just AMAZING!

The story follows Surya, a man who has a condition that allows him to not feel pain, as he tries to get rid of all the thieves and bandits in his area.

There are so many aspects of this movie which are so well done. Vasan Bala's script reminds you of Deadpool so much as he makes this superhero idea so self aware. The constant fourth wall breaking brings out some of the funniest scenes ever. I love the way Bala made fun of all the Superhero film clichés as it adds so much to the film's tone and characters. He adds so much development and care to each persona in order to understand and relate to them as much as possible. Bala's direction is splendid and has a lot of style especially during the action scenes. His direction also takes inspiration from Edgar Wright when he uses close-ups accompanied with quick cuts.

The performances are incredible. As his acting debut, Abhimanyu Dassani does complete justice to Surya and really nails the character. Radhika Madan is amazing as Supri. She conveys emotions perfectly so you care about her. For me, Gulshan Devaiah was a standout. Playing two polar opposite roles isn't easy but he does it with such ease and the chemistry both characters share is beyond hilarious.

The action choreography is fantastic and fun to feast your eyes upon. The soundtrack is very quirky and original as it contributes to the film's comedic tone. The one main flaw I have with the movie is its editing. At times, it's brilliant, fast paced and flows correctly with the movie's style but towards the middle of the film, it begins to drag and made me start to lose interest but fortunately the pacing speeds up near the final act.

Overall, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota is an experience I won't forget easily. Its perfect blend of characters, action and witty humour shows that Bollywood can be diverse and creative as well as being enjoyable. This proved to me that Bollywood has changed. All I hope is for people to recognize this change.

Don't waste time reading this, go watch the film it's worth it!

If Gulshan Devaiah came to me and told me that he wants my house I would willingly give it to him. Such is his magical charisma in the film (and in almost all) that I can't resist but start this review of Vasan Bala's second feature, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (The Man Who Feels No Pain) by singing his praises despite it being a masterful work of superb cast performances (including the lead Abhimannyu Dassani and Radhika Madan). He comes second in the silly yet full-of-life plot that narrates the story of Surya (Dassani), a young man born with a life-threatning rare disease which prevents him from feeling any pain, who yearns to push evil off the face of at least his small world. Helping him in his venture are the characters that I am in love with. In addition to Devaiah, Mahesh Manjrekar is the man who helps in making the film more memorable as you end the film humming that one number from the indie, upbeat soundtrack that has stayed with you and reminded you of a time when fun was simply watching a video of your favourite kung-fu hero in a VHS tape at your wealthy friend's house. Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota is brilliantly crafted by Bala with some of the best action choreography and music mixing I have seen all year this year. The humour is local, original, and bang-on ROFL material. If you are okay with shedding all threads of realism and watching a film for what it is (ultimate silliness) you will love this action comedy film more than I did. It is made for the generation of cinema consumers who would get it more if I use a certain term, so I will: it's on fleek. TN.

(Watched and reviewed at the 20th MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.)

The love for actions films from 80s Bollywood, South Indian films, Chinese and Japanese action films and even the present Hindi and American films can be seen not just from the references and homages but it can be felt from each shot and dialogues. As the protagonist sets out to stand against everything evil as he has learnt from the numerous action films from his childhood which is his only real interaction with the outside world we also see how much heart was behind making this film in a way that the story can be viewed as a metaphor for the making of this film itself. Hearing lines like "You are a Kamal fan and not Rajini fan which is why you have grown this beard and started drinking" in between all the madness going on in this film was a golden moment for me. Only a South Indian film buff would be able to find all the references and homages in this film. The action choreography is so well done in this film. Unlike usual Indian action films in which most of the Villain's goons are just there too run and roar here each of them made it felt like they know what they are doing. We also got a legitimate action heroine in Radhika Madan who did all her stunts herself and was an actual powerful and believable character. Making fun of cliches never felt this respectful before. I already want to see this film again and I want that sequel they promised at the end.

Vasan Bala's incredibly funny and action packed 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' is his love letter to all the action movies we watched growing up. In this superhero origin story from Matunga, he has managed to insert tiny references to all these movies in unlimited amounts. Be it the costume of Hammer Girl from 'The Raid 2', the tournament from 'Enter the Dragon', a water backpack used as a McGuffin and even the cliché twin brothers plot device used in countless Bollywood commercial potboilers.

Surya is a boy suffering from congenital insensitivity to pain, meaning he can't feel pain and has to keep drinking water to keep himself alive. Raised in captivity for 12 years by his idiotic but controlling father and a cool liberal grandfather, he has spent most of his time watching Kung-Fu movies and looks up to Karate Mani, a true legend in his city. He also has a childhood friend Supri who fights with everyone to protect Surya but can't stand up against her abusive father. These are very relatable characters and you start caring for them instantly. The innocent and childlike performance by Abhimanyu Dassani makes him even easier to care for. He is an actor with superb physicality along with acting skills, unlike say, Tiger Shroff who can't act to save his life. Radhika Madan deserves accolades for carrying such a layered and difficult role effortlessly. Surya and Supri deserve to be a part of the MCU. Special Mention to the scene stealer Gulshan Devaiyah in a double role, whose backstory is told in by far the most hilarious flashback scene since Bejoy Nambiar's 'Shaitaan'. Writer and Director Vasan Bala has finally proven himself to be an adept storyteller. His script is brilliantly detailed and filled with jokes and movie references that are left for the audience to grasp.

'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' is a film-grain VHS fueled package of insanity coupled with masterful action and Edgar Wright styled editing. There's a scene towards the end that hints clearly at the jingoistic clichés of movies like 'Kesari'. "You have to go to the next screen" Surya says. I strongly suggest you to go to a screen where this absurdist action comedy is playing.