Aurangzeb

What is it all about

From Dad Ki Maruti to papa ki gaddhi (read throne) YRF ode to fatherhood continues this time with their current favourite Arjun Kapoor with 'Aurangzeb' a baffled action drama helmed by first timer Atul Sabharwal who is guilty of making the film struggle to find its true successor as he shifts the genre from crime thriller to mobster drama without checking on the emotional connect which is most of the time low even after having a snaky script.

The Story

Thank god in this year of remixes writer director Atul Sabharwal doesn,t pays his tribute to Don or Trishul as it was rumored. Atul Sabharwal in Aurangzeb (meaning successor to the throne) adds almost every aspects (read masala) that can make a hit bollywood action drama..  Aurangzeb has policeman, gangster, politicians, brokers, businessman, father son relationship, mother son relationship, brother sister relationship all half baked in this story where Yashwardhan (Jackie Shroff) posing as a sahriff aadmi runs a parallel world, a world where he is the Emperor. When Vishal (Arjun Kapoor) is planted in Yashwardhan's world in place of Ajay (Arjun Kapoor), the lawmakers (Rishi Kapoor and Prithviraj) roll the dice and a sequence of events unravel something much more than what Vishal bargained for, as he finds himself in a predicament that puts him to test.

What to look out for

The tagline the crux of the film the idea which says 'Apne, Sapno Se Bade Hote Hai' is good. Fathers and sons, and the uneasy bonds between them, receives some solace at the end in this film. The script is snaky enough for a potential action packed gripper.

The performances are the major highs here where Arjun Kapoor who is lucky to be in the list of those legends like Dev Sahab, Dilip Kumar, Mr. Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, SRK, Mithun doing a double role so early in his second outing.. Arjun's sober version attracts more attention the gangster boy part seems to be an extension of his debut 'Ishaqzaade'... certainly he is a talent to look out for and for him it's just beginning.

Rishi Kapoor excels in his grey shades and again throws a debate.. why during his prime he was not considered and looked upon beyond a chocolate hero.

Prithviraj is earnest and looks in complete command. Jackie is fine. Amrita Singh is okay. Tanvi Azmi does well.

Technicalities are fine. Production values are upto mark.

What not

Well directing crime series on tv and making a crime thriller is a different ball game all together and Atul Sabharwal just couldn't get it right after the initial impression. Even after having a script with satisfying twists the helmer is so relaxed in this outing that the viewer gets disinterested in the proceedings and fails to feel for the characters.. with so many solid emotions in the plot like greed, dream, ambition, aspiration, jealousy, love, sacrifice lost, gain.. Atul leisurely pace robs the movie and the audience from this emotions..  poor execution. Not done with this Atul wastes talents like Deepti Naval, Anupam Kher, Swara Bhaskar, Sikander Berry and what was the point of having Sasha Aagha.. Amartya Rahut music adds to the disappointment.

Conclusion: Aurangzeb was a potential game changer for those who are involved but it goes horribly wrong. Even worse the idea had decent twists in its tale and involved almost every feature of potential bollywood hit.. but alas the helmer couldn,t read.. what a miss..