Karwaan - Welcome to a road trip of your lifetime with Irrfan Khan, the road trip subject matter expert (remember Piku?) now. Majrooh Sultanpuri's legendary "Main akela hi chala tha janib-e-manzil magar, log saath aate gaye aur karwaan banta gaya" comes alive in this 2-hour journey involving a mix up of dead bodies. Avinash (Dulquer Salman), an IT professional by lack of choice sets out with the unintended dead body with his friend Shaukat (Irrfan) in the latter's van from Bangalore to retrieve his estranged father's coffin that has erroneously reached Kochi. During this trip with a rather straightforward objective, strange things happen and the duo meet many people who will change the course of their lives. Most importantly, Avinash will find his mojo and make a career of his choice, something that he hadn't been able to do earlier due to his father's strict ordain.
Dulquer Salman is very effective as the mellow, practical and brooding Avinash. He is an introvert and a shy character that is your common man who has sacrificed his interests for parental choices in youth and would most probably live for his family later. Your heart goes out to his infectious performance that grows on you. Irrfan is at his crackling best - his one-liners are the life of the movie, and will kerp you rolling on the floor. He is a natural choice for Karwaan. Mithila Palkar is a great discovery - expressive, lively and ebullient. She stirs up a debate on semi-generation gap with Dulquer Salman that's utterly mouth watering. Akash Khurana and the graceful Amala Akkineni have relatively smaller roles but provide great support. The music by Anurag Saikia and cinematography by Avinash Arun are brilliant. Tell me if you don't crack up with the "Heartquake". Bravo! Director Akarsh Khurana reminds us that Indian films have come of age and young directors like him can convert any subject into a magical portrayal. 4.5 STARS!
