Freaky Ali

Freaky Ali : Fails to Exploit Nawaz Calibre!

Reviewer's Thumb Mark

Nawazuddin Siddiqui a dependable and a terrific actor struggles hard to keep the film Freaky Ali from sinking by his acts and dialogue delivery. But we know, little can be done by an actor like Nawaz when the plot is weakened with predictable situations, 'rich and poor divide' clichés, rags to riches situations, 8o's kind of a sidekick and goons who are less dreadful and more of buffoons. While watching Freaky Ali one would definitely wonder what would have made Nawaz to sign this film.

Freaky Ali could have been a good sports film if it had been handled with the required amount of panache and cinematic sense of excellence. But unfortunately after watching the movie one can easily gauge that the filmmakers didn't have that kind of vision to offer a class film to the world of entertainment. It seems they just wanted to cash in the rising popularity of Nawazuddin Siddiqui by offering him the titular role of Freaky Ali and Nawaz may not have had any other option but to oblige the 'Khandan' out of love and regard.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the role of Ali a Muslim orphan, found on the steps of a Dargah by a Hindu lady (Seema Biswas) who he calls 'Aaayi' fondly. The film open up to a busy market where Ali is found selling undergarments of all hues. The scene is funny and arouses chuckles in the theatre but soon fades out due to below the belt jokes. Ali thrown out of his job by his shop owner due to some flimsy reasons ends up teaming up with his childhood friend Maqsood (Arbaaz Khan) in his extortion business. Both works for 'Danger Bhai' (Nikitin Dheer) who is accident prone and is more of a buffoon who is always in company of his clumsy and dumb headed cohorts. In one of Ali and Maqsood's extortion bids they happen to meet a golfer Vikram Singh Rathod (Jas Arora) and this chance meeting on the golf ground changes the destiny of Ali. Later, armed and trained by a caddy Kishen Lal (Asif Basra), Ali challenges the champion in many tournaments. What follows is breach of trust, fixing and disappointment on the field. The film fails miserably even after having some best talents in the industry like Seema Biswas, Nawazuddin, and Asif Basra because of its weak story line, very poor execution, disjointed narration and sequences. Amy Jackson as Megha, the manager and love interest of Ali has nothing to do. She doesn't even add the glamour quotient by her presence. Jackie Shroff in his guest appearance as the big baddie is disappointing and unbearable.

This plot of Freaky Ali had the potential to become yet another inspirational sports story if made by any other deft filmmaker and storyteller. In short, there is nothing much to write and appreciate about Freaky Ali except to pray that may good sense prevail in the future projects, if any, by Sohail Khan and his likes in the industry.

Movie Rating: 3/10

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Ali), Arbaaz Khan (Maqsood), Amy Jackson (Megha), Seema Biswas (Sulbha), Jas arora (Vikram Singh Rathod), Nikitin Dheer (Danger Bhai), Asif Basra (Kishen Lal), Genre: Comedy Director: Sohail Khan Producer: Sohail Khan Written by: Sohail Khan, Raaj Shaandilyaa Based on: Happy Gilmore by Tim Herlihy Music by: Sajid-Wajid Cinematography: Mahesh Limaye Edited by: Prashant Singh Rathore Production: Sohail Khan Productions Release Date: 9th September, 2016 Duration: 120 Minutes Language: Hindi

Direction is notably bad. Not a single scene has been shot in interesting way. I don't think that I will take chance to watch another film of this director. Trailer was promising but film comes as delusion. I appreciate the team behind the trailer. Story by director is simple. A good for nothing guy, having some extra merit to hit the cricket ball in air at any fixed place, established in just four balls. He meets with an idiotic extortion gang member after praying at 'Mazar' for work. Then he accidentally plays golf and surprises a coach by his unique ability to shot the ball. Then his journey begins of being a champion. Rich golf champion guy mocks him, then some match fixing angle, physical assault and final match with broken arm, victory with the help of 'Kawwali'. It is in the name of story. Screenplay is simplest and stretched. That 'Chaddi' selling scene could have been very crisp and interesting but it's too long with a stammering fat boy and his father angle too. Movie is full of such type of lengthy scenes. Dialogues by Raaj Shandilya are only good thing which at least make you smile at places but it also go overboard like screenplay most of the time. Makers thought that everyone is well versed with golf so they decide half an hour long climax based on golf match, which is very slow and irritating. Major drawback of any film based on game if you fail to hook audience in game and what is unfolding on screen. Performance wise only two are good. Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Ali is very good. Arvind Parab as kidnapped old person is too good. He holds his character graph in very good manner. Jackie Dada in guest appearance shines. Rest cast are just OK. Is there any female lead, sorry I could not notice.

You can't expect much from Sohail Khan, or the whole Khan brigade, at least when it comes to directing or writing films. His latest feature is more like a skit played by a bunch of primary school students for their school's poorly-organized annual gathering.

Ali (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is an orphan who used to work as an undergarment seller and a contract hooligan before realizing that he can play golf like Tiger Woods. Along with his friend and associate Maqsood (Arbaaz Khan), he signs up for a National golf tournament and aims to dethrone Peter (Jas Arora), a vanity-filled top golfer, and make some good money out of it. The story is basically a riches-to- rags one where Ali has to fight odds to come out as an achiever.

One is honestly tired of this setup, which has been sampled millions of times in mostly all kinds of art in the world. But, then, you would think that the makers must have added some good old humor into this concoction so as to make it appealing. Sorry to break it out to you, but neither is there any quality comedy in the narrative nor is the existing any edible. One-line jokes that can be best described as PJs (in Mumbai parlance) are all there is in the story, which is otherwise as banal as its box office competitor's (Baar Baar Dekho).

Siddiqui tries to single-handedly salvage the film, but a ceiling with only one pillar supporting it cannot save itself from a storm. It is upsetting to watch Khan in a role that he himself won't be proud of. Seems Biswas is the only person playing a sensible character in the film, and let me not even start about Nikitin Dheer and foul-mouthed Jackie Shroff. I went to the restroom for few minutes and missed somehow Amy Jackson.

All in all, the show is about a lucky person who just happens to manage some flukes in few games of golf, which is as baffling and enigmatic as the possibility and nature of the romance between Ali and his girlfriend, Megha.

BOTTOM LINE: Sohail Khan's "Freaky Ali" is a film made of zero imagination and creativity. Wait for TV premiere, but do see what's on in Star Gold or &Pictures.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

The well made trailer of the movie aroused some expectations among the viewers lift their butt and go to cinema hall but all efforts went in vain. Although a copy of Hollywood movie Happy Gilmore( which was success neither) this movie also failed to produce any magic. Fulfilled with star cast like Nawaz and Amy, the weak story line made the movie's sail to submerge down. Coming to direction, Sohail made the good start to movie, but in between it loses the track and seems like it is intentionally stretched like chewing-gum.

Golf was a new plot, which could have been made interesting but weak plot and weaker direction led it to nowhere. In acting Nawaz's talent could have been better utilized. Amy Jackson was just a show-piece, nothing much for her in this. Arbaaz Khan seemed worthless too as a second lead. Rest all just played their part. Coming to songs, nothing special nor catchy.

Verdict : Movie can be watched if you are Nawaz's fan else its a time waste.

Sohail khan, the director has wasted the entire effort in a movie which could have turned into a great movie. The movie began with a great promise, but after the first half moves so pathetically towards an unbelievable run of the mill, rather worse than it climax and ending. Why would you believe in praying for him to win when the main character's hand is broken before the final match, than focusing on getting him to practice etc. His personal know how and understanding of the game is undermined with the prayer song. Also, a great actor like Seema Biswas is totally wasted in the mother's role with hardly anything to do. Sohail Khan and his brigade of brothers are better off making the kind of crappy stuff they usually churn out. They should stick to their usual formulas rather than raise hopes with a new kind of story line and with a brilliant actor like Nawazuddin who has been wasted too.