Selfiee

Selfiee (2023) : Movie Review -

Akshay Kumar and Raj Mehta team up for the second time after a super hit "Good Newwz" for "Selfiee", but it seems that the news is not good this time. Lal Jr's Malayalam flick "Driving Licence" (2019) is not a sensation enough to get a remake, but sadly, our Hindi filmmakers had different thoughts. Unfortunately, I had to write this thing the very next week after "Shehzada" turned into a disaster-another South remake of a mediocre film. The choices went wrong, I guess. Driving Licence earned what, 20 crores maybe? That's usually what a decent opening day collects for the Akshay Kumar movie. Doesn't it sound horrible now? I am afraid they might need Abhimanyu Singh's character to do some black magic to save this one.

Selfiee sees Akshay Kumar in the role of Prithviraj Sukumaran and Emraan Hashmi in a reprisal of Suraj Venjaramoodu. The first step goes wrong here because you just cannot have Emraan replace Suraj Venjaramoodu. At least, look at the age difference. Anyways, for those who haven't seen the original Malayalam flick, Selfiee is about a superstar and a fan who are pitted against each other over a childish misunderstanding. Superstar Vijay Kumar (Akshay Kumar) is in Bhopal for the shoot of his film, and there lives one of his biggest fans ever, Om Prakash Aggarwal (Emraan Hashmi). So, as destiny has it, Vijay Kumar needs a driving licence, which Om Prakash can provide easily, but there is a common kick to it. He wants a selfie with his superstar, his God. Somehow, things go out of hand after a small misunderstanding that pits these two against each other. The battle of fan vs. Superstar flashes everywhere in the media, and now it's not a public battle but a fight of their egos. Who will have the final laugh?

If you have seen the original Malayalam flick, then there is nothing for you in Selfiee (except for the surrogacy thing). Rather, it gets even duller because you are seeing all those things for the second time and because Driving Licence hardly has any repeat value. But for the freshers, it might be an interesting affair. However, there are flaws in that too. The screenplay is at fault for being too slow after several intervals. The mistakes that overlapped in DL haven't been rectified here. Who knows all those questions man? And why would someone turn it into a game of KBC? Why the hell do all those people wait with bated breath for the answers as if they never had a driving licence for themselves? That night flight for New York is suddenly rescheduled to the afternoon? Why don't our writers rectify mistakes made by South films? Why do we just have to copy and paste things despite knowing that some things lack logic there? Just because it worked there doesn't mean it will be fine here. Driving Licence was not a flawless film, but Selfiee is even more problematic with forceful jokes, cheap humor, and repetitive gags. The comedy works in some parts, but like I said, it's a long film, so you are entitled to get bored after a while.

Talking about performances, Akshay Kumar playing himself, a superstar on screen, is a treat to watch, but I am not sure if any superstar really has that kind of humour in real life. It's a cinematic liberty, as they call it, but sadly, we don't have any specific category to review performances according to that. Yes, you will enjoy Akshay Kumar's comedy, but he is quite dull in the emotional scenes. It's contrary to Emraan's case. He is strong in emotional scenes but lacks comic timing. Reprising Suraj Sir is a tough job; I believe even Emraan knows it. Nushrratt Bharuccha is cute as a chatterbox wife, but it's not a performance oriented role like she had in Chorri and Janhit Mein Jaari. The most hilarious person in the film is Abhimanyu Singh. I mean, what did he eat before filming his scenes? Diana Penty, Mahesh Thakur, and Meghna Malik haven't got much to do. The hottest figure in Selfiee has to be Mrunal Thakur. How sexy she looks! Someone please cast her as the lead in such a glamorous avatar.

Selfiee has Main Khiladi 2.0 as the only saving grace, while other songs are barely okay. Kudiyee Ni Teri Vibe was designed as a peppy song that celebrates the stardom of Vijay Kumar, but there is hardly anything foot-tapping about it. It's too slow for the vibes of a celebration song (something like Dhinka Chika or Lungi Dance). The editing is below par, as the drama doesn't hold you throughout the narrative. You get some hilarious dialogues after every 15 minutes, and you'll remember them as the best things you have seen in the film. But was that cheap and kiddish humour really needed? The fart thing, the Masoode Wali Smile, A big fan segment, and Arnab Goswami's replication-all these things aren't organic ways of doing comedy. Who else but Raj Mehta knew it better? The man who gave us probably the most organic comedy in recent times (Good Newwz), has to go down to this level to make people laugh? It's not a downfall then! It's degrading your own standard. Jug Jugg Jeeyo and now Selfiee: Raj Mehta has forgotten the great talent he owns.

What happened to that Raj Mehta of Good Newwz? Aren't we going to get more good news from him? Okay, so just between you and me, the moment I came out of watching Good Newwz, I called it a super hit. The moment I walked out of Jug Jugg Jeeyo, I bet that it wouldn't become a Hit. Both times, I was proven right. Now, the moment I left the audi from Selfiee screening, I told my friend that it would be worse than JJJ. Let's see if I am proven right in a few days. Dear Raj Mehta, please go back to the GN zone. Our industry doesn't have any directors who make healthy organic comedies after Rajkumar Hirani. You have Akshay Kumar, the king of the comedy genre, so we expect something really high-class. Not something mediocre like Selfiee, and definitely not a remake. I hope my voice reaches you and you and Akshay Kumar both come back stronger. For now, Selfiee remains an average stuff. In sarcastic language, aka Kataksh, "This Selfiee is Blur".

RATING - 5/10*

Watching Selfiee on Feb 25, I felt similar vibes I did on June 20, 2012, watching the third movie at the theatre on the same day after Emraan Hashmi's Shanghai and Akshay Kumar's Rowdy Rathore.

Like Ferrari ki Sawaari, the footfalls were weak. However, at times it felt I was watching a newer version of Ferrari ki Sawaari.

Honestly, Selfiee has a lot to teach. It doesn't look like a giant story, the script has issues, but makes sure we get entertained frequently and learn something from it. A message, lot bigger than the advertisement of Akshay Kumar about Lal Bahadur Shastri marg.

Eemran Hashmi was okay, no complaints. Akshay could have done better with the aura and charm he has created in the last few decades. As for Akshay, he did pick a wonderful film to, especially, send out a message to the youngsters about driving. How a moment of unawareness can cost lives. Also, We must drive safely.

Watching the movie, I remember the quote : Better be Mr. Late, than Late Mr...

If you're late, you're already late. Saving 2 to 4 minutes of your time to arrive at a location even though you're already late won't make any difference, however, it might, in case, for someone else.

Surprisingly the film meets your expectations. After a long time, we have a good family entertainer teaching us a few life lessons keeping the entertainment quotient intact.

All actors have done a fantastic job as per their given roles. Special mention to Abhimanyu Singh, Meghna Malik and the actor playing the producers' role. Akshay Kumar plays himself as per the requirement and shines brilliantly in the emotional moments as well. Emran Hashmi has given a subtle performance as a father wanting to be a hero in front of his son.

BGM is decent as well as the songs. Direction has been done in a very efficient way. Screenplay keeps you hooked almost throughout the runtime.

Go and enjoy with your family.

Selfiee is just another mediocre remake of a good South Indian film. The screenplay is engaging in bits & pieces and it has a few dull moments too. Director Raj Mehta reunites with Akshay Kumar after Good Newwz (2019), he handled the humour and drama of the film skillfully.

Akshay Kumar effortlessly played his part as Superstar Vijay Kumar. It was great to watch Emraan Hashmi on the big screen again, last we saw him in Mumbai Saga and Chehre in 2021. He has delivered an impressive performance. Meghna Malik's comic timing is spot on and she got some funny dialogues in the film. Abhimanyu Singh never disappoints and he too was a comic relief and got some hilarious one-liners. The leading ladies Diana Penty and Nushrratt Bharuccha were once again neglected by the writers due to which they underplayed their part. Other supporting actors were just fine in their roles.

Some scenes were written well in the second half which makes it more arresting, the chaos at the RTO office, the face-off between two leading actors, and the license test. There was no song in the movie that can be a chartbuster. The crisp editing and some more gripping scenes could have made the film more impactful. The fate of the film will depend only on word of mouth.

For movie name ,better Driving license to Selfiee. I would like share a comment.. It was good scene during public protest and akshay came for help as humanity. But in this scene taught ( Years will change but Human will never change by their warm need a just a shot of pic/ Video). They will do as per day to day, week to week and year to year. That's why it's a kalyug ....I hope the public will realized as a social animal. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." - Mahatma Gandhi before blaming, to know the matter first then you take a decision.