Lucknow Central

Lucknow Central is a drama movie directed by Ranjit Tiwari and stars Farhan Akthar, Diana Penty, Ronit Roy, Gippy Grewal, Deepak Dobriyal, Rajesh Sharma, Inaamulhaq and Ravi Kishen

This movie could've been an easily forgettable movie but due to some great actors and their skills the movie is atleast watchable.

The plot of the movie is fresh but after seeing the movie I can only say that the movie has only lived it's life because of the tons of talent being inducted as the movie is neither well executed nor memorable.

Acting is probably the most strongest point with Farhan Akthar portraying the role of a small town wanna be singer looking to start his own band got framed into murder which he didn't commit. Ronit Roy in his role of a tough jailor was good but considering his talent he could've better. Deepak Dobriyal in his fake bengali accent impresses. Sharma, Grewal and Kishan will effortlessly make you laugh. Diana Penty probably was either crushed under the weight of these heavyweights or was a victim of a poorly written role.

The most sad part of the movie is although being a movie on music none of the song apart from the remaked Kavaan Kavaan hadn't made any impact.

Screenplay of the movie is average and could've been made more crisp and fast paced. The length of the movie could also been trimmed by atleast 20 minutes. Climax of the movie seems to be written and completed in hurry as you will feel something is missing from the end of the movie.

The movie can be watched once and yes the movie has some engaging and cherishing movement.

Lucknow Central, directed by Ranjit Tiwari, is an engaging drama that interweaves the themes of music, hope, and resilience against the backdrop of a prison. Starring Farhan Akhtar in the lead role, the film portrays the story of a man's quest for freedom through music and his unwavering spirit to overcome adversities.

Plot Summary The movie follows the life of Kishan Mohan Girhotra (Farhan Akhtar), an aspiring singer from Moradabad, who dreams of making it big in the music industry. However, his life takes a drastic turn when he is falsely accused of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in Lucknow Central Jail. Inside the prison, Kishan discovers an opportunity to form a music band as part of a prison competition. With the help of a dedicated NGO worker, Gayatri Kashyap (Diana Penty), and his fellow inmates, Kishan sets out to form a band, hoping that music will pave the way for his freedom.

Performances Farhan Akhtar delivers a heartfelt and compelling performance as Kishan. His portrayal of a man wronged by fate, yet determined to reclaim his life through his passion for music, is both convincing and inspiring. Farhan's commitment to the character shines through, especially in the musical sequences where he demonstrates his singing prowess.

Diana Penty as Gayatri Kashyap provides strong support, bringing a sense of compassion and determination to her role. Her chemistry with Farhan adds depth to the narrative, making their interactions meaningful and impactful.

The ensemble cast, including Ronit Roy, Deepak Dobriyal, Rajesh Sharma, and Inaamulhaq, deliver stellar performances, adding layers to the story. Ronit Roy as the stern jailer, Deepak Dobriyal as the clever inmate Victor Chattopadhyay, and Rajesh Sharma as the naive Purushottam Pandit each bring their unique touch to their characters, enriching the film's narrative.

Direction and Cinematography Ranjit Tiwari's direction ensures that Lucknow Central remains engaging and emotionally resonant throughout. He successfully balances the film's musical elements with its dramatic core, creating a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The depiction of the prison environment is authentic, capturing the harsh realities of life behind bars while also highlighting moments of camaraderie and hope.

The cinematography by Tushar Kanti Ray is effective in setting the tone of the film. The use of dim lighting and tight frames within the prison scenes enhances the sense of confinement, while the musical performances provide a vibrant contrast, symbolizing hope and freedom.

Music and Soundtrack The music of Lucknow Central, composed by Arjunna Harjaie, Rochak Kohli, and Tanishk Bagchi, plays a pivotal role in the film. The songs are well-integrated into the narrative, with tracks like "Kaavaan Kaavaan" and "Teen Kabootar" standing out for their energy and emotion. The soundtrack complements the storyline, enhancing the film's themes of hope and resilience.

Themes and Impact Lucknow Central explores themes of injustice, redemption, and the transformative power of music. It delves into the idea of finding hope in the most challenging circumstances and the strength of the human spirit to overcome adversity. The film also touches upon the flaws in the justice system and the harsh realities of prison life, making it a socially relevant narrative.

Conclusion Lucknow Central is a well-crafted drama that combines the intensity of a prison thriller with the uplifting spirit of a musical journey. Farhan Akhtar's captivating performance, coupled with Ranjit Tiwari's deft direction, makes for an engaging and emotionally resonant film. The strong supporting cast, compelling storyline, and evocative music further enhance the viewing experience. While it may follow a somewhat predictable path, the film's heart and message of hope make it a memorable watch.

It's just a decent watch which will never throw anything special on you. It's like a poor and a short form of TV series Prison Break.

Storyline Rating: 2

Acting Rating: 3 Farhan Akhtar: 3 Diana Penty: 3 Ronit Roy: 3 Deepak Dobriyal: 3 Rajesh Sharma: 3 Inaamulhaq: 3 Gippy Grewal: 2

Direction Rating: 2

Music Rating: 2

Cinematography: 2

Editing: 2

What worked: The movie, based on a true incident, makes its impact with its narrative especially with the overall impact at the end of the movie. The movie is light hearted, engaging and enjoyable watch if you keep the brain at rest and just go with the flow of the movie and the story the makers are trying to tell. The cast is great,Ronit Roy and Diana Penty standing out amongst the casts. What did not work: The movie could have been much better in every aspect, primarily in the screenplay. The movie lacks depth of characters, fails to deliver the intent of the movie most of the part of the movie, lacks the creativity that we expect from a thriller, lacks the strong ending though the movie concludes on a happy note. Overall the movie is a tale, a superficial storytelling of the characters and their story at a surface level, but also telling the story keeping the mass pleased. Final verdict: watch it when you are free but not when you are eager to watch a good cinema

I am not a professional film critic and hence will not launch into often used adjectives utilised to showcase technical knowledge of film making etc. I am from the core movie watching audience,so will use the language common to that category.

A gripping feel good movie that you can watch with the family. Powerful performances by all. I wonder why it has not done that well in the commercial segment in mumbai at least...according to me..its one of the best movies in the recent past. And stands tall in the crowd of recent big banner flops. I loved the sets, and the songs..Rangdhari..and the competition song with a twist. The casting so spot on!

Trust me, go watch this movie...your time will be well invested. Its rare fresh story for a bollywood hit movie. I hope they come out with more such surprise movies. This should have been a runway hit and a crowd puller!