Mughal Mowgli

Recently announced by Marvel as the man put in charge of their Blade reboot, British director Bassam Tariq can attribute his success at being handed a big profile Marvel project to his unique debut collaboration with actor Riz Ahmed, Mogul Mowgli.

Alongside Ahmed's higher profile role in last year's Oscar nominated Sound of Metal, Mowgli gives the talented performer another chance to play an ill musician, with the powerful performer here bringing British/Pakistani rapper Zed to live in a story he helped developed alongside Tariq that allows him to show off his rapping skills in conjunction with his acting smarts.

Filmed in a 4:3 aspect ratio and an almost documentary like manner, Mowgli is a down and dirty independent offering, one that appears born out of the blood, sweat and tears of its leading man's upbringing in working class surrounds and Tariq never allows his film to be in any ways a glossy examination of a lost soul trying to reconnect with his culture while battling a debilitating illness that appears destined to derail his music career just as it was set for its big break.

There's nothing overly new about this set-up of a nobody trying to become a somebody in the face of adversity but the Pakistani flavor Tariq and Ahmed bring to the film gives Mowgli its own unique identity in an otherwise crowded marketplace and watching Ahmed go from a rhyme spitting centerpiece to a broken man calling his ex-girlfriend in desperate circumstances is further proof that the actor is one of the very best working today, whether it be in comedy, drama or western, Ahmed has morphed very quickly into a chameleon of talent, elevating films whenever his allowed screen time.

For all the rawness of Tariq's film and Ahmed's noteworthy turn, there are elements to the tale of Zed that don't resonate as strongly as you would've hoped, with the film keeping you at arm's length from truly investing your heart and soul into Zed's journey.

Delivering a large section of dream/nightmare like moments where Zed is experiencing internal and sometimes external crisis, Mowgli is more off-kilter than you may expect when you watch a trailer or read a synopsis and while in ways it helps contribute to the feeling we haven't seen a film exactly like this before, there's a coldness and oddness to Tariq's film that holds it back from becoming the emotional gut punch it may've been.

This unpredictability and vibrancy however is likely what Marvel identified in the film to target Tariq for their Blade films, with it exciting to think about what the upcoming director can bring to the table with all of Marvel's guidance and resources at his disposal.

Final Say -

A rap infused culturally themed drama that marks a noteworthy debut from its director and another feather in the cap of its leading man, Mogul Mowgli doesn't always click but it's an independent film with fresh ideas and execution that make it worth your time.

3 rap battles out of 5.

A film about conflicts, traditions, cultures and expectations as a second generation British Pakistani, having forged a career in music as an up and coming rapper, has his dreams shattered through illness and becomes affected by vivid reflections of his childhood, the competing demands of the old and the new, the curtailing of ambition, all consuming his fight for recovery. Riz Ahmed, once again, is outstanding!!!

I've been a fan of Riz Ahmed ever since I saw him in Shifty back in 2008 . Since then he's done some brilliant stuff such as the TV show The Night Of to films such as Four Lions , Nightcrawler, and The Sound Of Metal .

While this isn't quite up to the standard of those mentioned it certainly can't be accused on not being interesting.

This is the story of a rapper who just before a major tour finds he has a degenerate muscle disease. Not only does he have to battle the illness, he has to put up with a religious father who doesn't have faith in the traditional medicines.

A manager who doesn't have his best interests at heart and the constant thoughts and hallucinations that are going on in his head .

Riz Ahmed is great . The film itself is quite hard work . It's a bit grim at times and the people on show are not always the nicest .

I'm not a fan of the music on show here , which doesn't help but I do find it lyrically very clever , especially Zed's battle with his identity.

This won't be to everyone's taste and it definitely won't be as popular as some of his other films but I found it interesting and irritating ,( mainly the religious nonsense ) at the same time and that's a good thing - I think .

A very uncomfortable watch. The way it was directed was not exactly up my alley. While the writing and story itself really worked, and it also caught me what the film represents, I really had some issues with several creative decisions to tell that story. The positive thing is Riz Ahmed! When does Hollywood finally recognize his huge talent and uses it more effectively than supporting roles in blockbusters. This guy is phenomenal in the role of a parkistanic DJ who developes a sickness that not only destroys his career but also his view at life. The film has many things to tell, first its the struggle with that new illness and the constant inner struggle of the leading characters believes and traditions. Ahmed is awesome how he handles this material, also written by him and director Bassam Tariq. Also the performance by Alvy Khan is absolutely noteworthy. Riz Ahmed also proves himself as a very talented rapper. The films structure is generally fine, except for those imaginary scenes that really are often not easy on the eye, because of the sloppy editing, but the way the protagonists faces all his challenges is extremely well portrayed.

The film is an engaging tale of a young man fighting a neurological disease. Acting is good. I find it enjoyable.