Akira

Director A R Murugadoss makes movies that take their subjects far too seriously. And in this action drama, which reminds us more of Malayalam action film Kochi Rajavu (2005) than Mouna Guru (2011), the Tamil film which it is actually a remake of, the titular character takes herself so seriously that she fails to impress or inspire.

Akira (Sinha) is a tough adolescent who was brought up rather aggressively by her father. At a very young age, she used to stand up for herself and her causes (whatever that means), and as a result, had to do time for three years for a crime that she didn't commit (or did she?). So, naturally, her familial relations are sorta sticky. It is when she moves to Mumbai and gets involuntarily entangled in a serious crime involving a bunch of corrupt cops that her audience really get a wind of what Akira is capable of: break some bones and stare at the camera in slo-mo after the deed has been carried out.

The story is a mixture of popular plot elements we have been seeing in films generally in India. A silent nobody whose principles sound great on paper, but are practically boring and non-feasible in a world where working towards the greater good is everything. Throw a bunch of vindictive villains in this mixture, and there you have it. Just like someone has mentioned in the mainstream media how the active theme of the story is given a dramatic punch by introducing family members is very much true. But, the compassion that should've accompanied it seems to be missing.

Of course, the 140 minutes are not boring if one can prevent oneself from asking questions that are related to logic and common sense. But, then again, one should understand that they are watching a Murugadoss film, which are infamous for defying logic.

Sinha is surprisingly good in the role of a rugged action hero who lands some heavy punches. Her deadpan expression is all that I had qualms about, but let's appreciate her for this feat anyway. Kashyap is average, but that is because of the formulaic approach adopted by his character. Supporting cast is fine.

Overall, a feminist who has gotten the original sense of the word completely wrong may adore this movie and its central character, for she strives to be like a man here. Also, we cannot call it a film about women empowerment; watching a one-woman-show trying to subdue the forces of man-made insanity is not exactly the best way to depict that trending virtue (?). Konkona Sen Sharma also plays a narrator in the film, but I cannot accept what she delivers asn an epilogue: that our daughters should aim to be like Akira. Of course, I would want my daughter to have guts like Akira, but what might look appealing on theory does not always yield good results in real life.

BOTTOM LINE: A R Murugadoss's "Akira" is a decent entertainer with some fine stunts delivered by a woman who should be stopped taken seriously the moment one exits the theater hall. Wait for DVD, and then rent it.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

This is a story of the relentless persecution of a woman, daring to break out of the stereotypical mold, by a failed social system which is both corrupt and broken. Hard-hitting and depressing - mainstream Bollywood seldom gets this realistic. Yet, this is such an ordinary, everyday story - being played out again and again all around us. In Indian society, a young girl who dares to question the system, a girl who dares to protest - is an anachronism. She is either disciplined and that rare spark of life is extinguished even before it is properly lit. Or she gets lucky and finds a supporter, like Akira did in her father. In reality it is more of a misfortune. Apart from that unusual mentor the unusual woman remains utterly alone all through her life. In fact, the society raises even steeper barriers in her path overcompensating for that one supportive mentor whether or not s/he continues to be around. In the end, the lone struggle of the young woman invariably runs out of options and we are once again left saddened with the depressing realisation that it is not easy to be a woman even in the twenty-first century.

This movie is remake of Tamil film Mouna Guru (2011). That Tamil film was a very good thriller and a sleeper hit of Tamil box office. A.R Murugados remade two of his film in Hindi but this time he remakes not his own film. the story is engaging and this is a very good choice for him. the original film is not female lead cast movie but he makes thisd movie some little changes.

This is the story of a college girl Akira, she has grown up with the ideals of being self reliant. Her life spirals out of control when she becomes unwillingly involved in a crime involving four corrupt police officers. very good story and very engaging. There are lots of thrilling moments and lots of unorthodox twists in this story. I am not revealing the story but I just want to tell you the twists are very intriguing and full of suspense. You will enjoy it surely.

performance wise Anurag Kashyap has done a very good job and as a corrupt police officer he is the best choice for this role. i think he will think about his acting career also and it will be a very good decision for him. Sonakshi Sinha as Akira has done a good job but not great. It is good for a sexy girl on action with his nice moves but sometimes this is not relevant for her role. I am not telling she is a bad actor. Her screen presence was good but it could have been better if the director just give some reality based content for her role. Rest of the casts are niot very important but Atul Kulkarni and Konkona Sen Sharma have done good job for their role. Music is not up to the mark but background score is good. The stroy and the screenplay were very good but if the director would concentrate the relevancy beyond the theme then this movie would be a gem. The fight sequences are very good and of course watchable and entertaining. I think this is a good comeback for Sonakshi After a serial of flops.

It's a film about girls harassment on the way to school and upto what level people can suffer for this dirty act. The film starts with the story of a young daughter who is the witness of acid attack to a girl on the street while going to school. During interrogation by the police only she came forward to be the witness. After that her life started being miserable by the friends of the criminal. Through the motivation by her father she learned martial art to save herself. During saving herself from the same kind of acidic attack accidentally the boy who attacked her, burnt his face by acid. The prosecution starts and Akira suffered her 3 years student life in the juvenile rehabilitation home. After releasing from home it is showed that her father passed away & her only brother not keeping any contact with the family as family not accepted her love and he settled with her love in the Mumbai after marriage. But while he was unable to bring up his newly born child he called her mother repeatedly to come Mumbai and stay with him. Akira was reluctant to go to Mumbai and told her mother that the boy who never called up last few years suddenly calling themselves only to use his mother as servant. But her brother came to their village and both of her brother & mother convinced Akira through the college principal that studying in Mumbai will be better for her academic career. She shifted to the college hostel and concentrated on her studies. The ACP and few police officers in the Mumbai police branch showed highly corrupted and for the stealing habit of one of the students in the college where Akira was studying, again brought her life in danger. Inspite of her wish to concentrate on the studies by the coincidence and nature Akira went through the life like hell. The character Akira shown different compared to common girls and this kind of nature we can find in our society very rare. The trauma agony suffering she went through should be felt by the common audience. The acting of Anurag Kashyap is outstanding in the centre role as ACP Mumbai police branch and found flawless. Very few in the film industry has the caliber to act at this level and I can't think any otherone in the this role right now. All other actors and actresses maintained their quality. Good fight sequence. All over a good film to see.

Lately, we have been witnessing many movies on women empowerment and emancipation like Queen, Kahani, Mardaani, English Vinglish, NH10, Parched etc. Akira is an addition to these kinds of flicks from directed by A.R. Murugadoss (Gajini, Holiday fame).

We get the message delivered at the very beginning when younger Akira confronts the acid attackers and later we see how she engulfed in a web of endangerment. Now she has to challenge the murky system and penance involved in the execution.

The intention is noble and it was accomplished in some measure during the first half, however, it becomes predictable and clichéd in the later half. The screenplay is little sloppy and representation of some characters loses the grip. Sonakshi Sinha did justice to her role but the expressions and demeanor lacked in many important scenes.

We see Konkana Sen Sharma is a very strong character but it was underdeveloped. Anurag Kashyap's menacing act is promising but lacks authenticity as a Marathi Cop. Other supporting cast did a good job.

Action scenes are good and well-choreographed, music is average and background score is just fine.

So, overall did the message get delivered, well, it depends on the perception because it has the same theme and execution which we have been served trillions of time, a protagonist rises against some malicious hoodlums then scuffles survives and finally becomes a conqueror.