Hawaizaada

Vibhu Puri's 'Hawaizaada' is a highly ambitious, well-made film, but its uneven overall. A look at the life of scientist Shivkar Bapuji Talpade, this period piece is visually appealing, but too many songs & a stretched romantic-track, hit the film hard.

'Hawaizaada' is Based on the life on an Indian scientist Shivkar Bapuji Talpade, who is credited to have constructed India's first unmanned plane is the tale of the hardships that he went through on the journey to discover.

'Hawaizaada' needed to be more about Talpade & his Mentor's genius, rather than being a romantic-story about Talpade & his lady-love. Being a biopic, you except the film to be a detailed take on Talpade's journey about the scientist that he was, not who he romanced. Also, there are too many songs in the film. In fact, the first-hour has a song popping up every 10-minutes.

Vibhu Puri's Screenplay has moments of power, when the film actually talks about Talpade's ambition, but is mostly side-lined by its stilted romantic-track. Less of romance & more of drama would've made 'Hawaizaada' a biopic to reckon with. But sadly, that doesn't happen here!

Vibhu Puri's Direction, however, is stunning. In terms of visuals, 'Hawaizaada' is a beauty. Each & Every Frame has been captured beautifully, there is not a single dull frame in this biopic. The Cinematography is top-class & The Art Design is incredibly accurate. Editing is not sharp at all. The film is lazily paced & a bit too long. The Songs are melodious, but appear forced in the film.

Performance-Wise: Ayushmann Khurrana as Shivkar Bapuji Talpade, delivers a terrific performance. He rises above the faulty script & manages to keep the proceedings alive to a large extend, thanks to his impressive portrayal of the late legend in science. Mithun Chakraborty dominates every scene he appears in. As Ayushmann's eccentric mentor, he's exceptional. Pallavi Sharda as Ayushmann's lady love, looks gorgeous, but is saddled with the film's weakest track, & hence, she doesn't leave a mark.

On the whole, 'Hawaizaada' is made with passion, no doubt, but a stronger script was the need of the day!

Inspirational for Indians.. should be watched by young... made in a different style of fantasy and fiction.. but based on true story about the first person who made a flight machine and he happened to Indian.

The film is truly spectacular on the account of visuals. The production design is one of greatest in recent Hindi films. The sets, the artistic props, the designing is really commendable. With great production design, comes greatest in cinematography. Kudos to Savita Singh's cinematography brilliance that made this film looks totally a visual treat. Seriously, I have not seen such beautiful frames in recent times, without VFX. The basic concept was well thought too.

But, with all these superb things in hand, the film doesn't able to make to what it could be. The screenplay got messed up in the film's way to make it under historical event. Yeah, it could have been one of the greatest film in Hindi film industry. But, it all lacks at film's narrative part. The characters been so melodramatic about each situation makes a regular Hindi film, which it should not be.

The director looses his brilliant idea by indulging more of a melodramatic romantic recipe into it. The film paces up in between, dialogue teaches us good. But, when the flight tries to be up high, it gets lost in the romantic clouds. It sees a great potential journey suffering from jet-lag here.

It should be pure epic exploring the core idea more, yet it is somewhat inspirational.

The movie is stuck between projecting an actual historical fact and a musical. Unnecessary prolongation of the strained love story in a movie that's supposed to talk about the achievements of an Indian that supposedly were suppressed.

The movie could have had a straight forward screenplay instead of beating around the bush.

Can't believe Ayushmann signed up for this movie.

Rating

5/10

Anachronistic film based on air travel pioneer disappoints. Despite interesting plot the film is heavy going and listless. Kkhurana tries hard but doesn't leave much of an impact. Sets are interesting. The payoff is a long time coming.