Bangistan

It feels bad to see such good movies not getting their due, I watched this movie very late from its release but I am happy that I did. From the day I saw promos of this movie, I so badly wanted to see this. The imagination and art direction of this movie is amazing, something really really innovative and new. The whole concept, cinematography, costumes, dialogues, locations and acting, everything is commendable. I accept this movie may not be funny as those brainless Bollywood comedies rather it is more subtle with genuine smile on your face throughout the movie. As I watched this I didn't feel bore for even a second. I wanted this movie to go on and on, there are several small small yet thought provoking lines that shows the brilliance of the writer.

I would recommend this movie to any movie lover, watch it for its simplicity, sensibility, and subtle comedy. You wont come out laughing but surely thinking and smiling :)

Another lame Bollywood attempt to support the arbitrarily coined notion of Hindu terror. The motivation for the plot for why any Hindu would go to Poland to blast a human bomb is ridiculously weak.

As an idea it really feels exciting to assume a film about two amateurish suicide bombers from a fictitious (Indian) land, planning to sabotage a World Peace Conference held in Poland. And the excitement increases further when in this comic plot, the Hindu bomber poses as a Muslim and the Muslim one portrays himself as a Hindu, trying to fool the authorities and participants together. However as experienced many times before, the plot that looks like a killer one on the paper doesn't turn out to be anything even close to average or fairly enjoyable when transformed into a film unfortunately.

Beginning on a positive note, revealing the hidden secret behind every communal riot happening in the city, BANGISTAN commences as a political satire with all Indian characters in the script, but then slowly gets into the mold of a western comedy, unable to make any kind of substantial impact on the viewer due to more than one reason. Apart from all (unexpectedly) over the top performances, it has many weird sequences like a hotel room (in Poland) with a big hole in the roof connecting it with the upper floor, a goat brought in the same hotel for Eid without the owner's permission, an over- clever Hindi speaking taxi driver being the informer, the two Russian/Chinese eccentric bomb suppliers with their hidden laboratories and the two foreign police officers behaving like fools. The dialogues that ought to be the backbone of such message oriented satires, have been written pretty casually with only few enjoyable lines coming after long gaps.

Having a decent opening 15 minutes, the pointless script keeps progressing with all forced, supposed to be funny moments post interval too. And then it eventually comes to an end with a long, preachy unimpressive climax that is unable to convey any kind of social message of 'One Religion' to the viewers. In short, though director Karan Anshuman might have had all good intentions to make an entertaining comedy with a message of World peace, the film fails to deliver the same and disappoints badly. In other words, following a western pattern of satirical comedy featuring all Indian characters, BANGISTAN keeps hanging in between and remains far away from impactful attempts such as the recent FILMISTAAN and more.

In the performances, Ritesh Deshmukh tries his best but also looks like uninterested and unconvinced with the content throughout its two hours of duration. On the other hand, Pulkit Samrat puts in much more energy than required going over the top and so do the actors in the supporting cast, particularly the hamming Arya Babbar. Moreover its really confusing to see Jacqueline in such a poor role of a local waitress doing simply nothing in the film other than providing the glamour.

Summing up, BANGISTAN has a poor direction, below average soundtrack but a better cinematography that unsuccessfully tries to give a significant message of 'One Religion of the World' to its audience.

However mentioning its only merit, there is a thoughtful song coming towards the end with the lyrics,

"Mujhko Kuchh Bhi Pata Nahin Tha, Waqt Bada Hi Achha Tha, Mera Koi Dharam Nahin Tha, Jab Main Chhota Bacha Tha"

Director does not know his craft for sure. There is not a single scene where you can appreciate his work, rather he drags scenes so it comes as slap than slapstick. Writers had a good idea but execution and development are really not worthy. Like teli shopping style of arms showcasing could have been funny but due to exaggeration is comes flat then turns into irritation. This film is full of exaggeration, rather use of Saffron or Green color or the parallel cuts. First of all, main plot of interchanging religion is totally illogical. When every religion is sending there representative in a religious world conference, which is ridiculously without any security protection, according to makers, then why did their master send their respective person with religion change!? Selected person are so stupid that even being on a bomb planting mission they agree to almost share a duplex type of flat which has unbelievably hole in the roof. Creative team are like aliens, who does not know the basic possibility because they are not ready to find some interesting things so they always take the most convenient childish solution for everything. They insert scene where pigeon carries a letter. Which era they belong to!? Motel owner clearly mentioned that no animal is allowed but person takes that animal for a walk!? Why would any stranger go to other person flat to keep the animal because their society does not allow it!? The Poland Police is so naïve that they can't find anything suspicious and searches in idiotic way. I am unable to understand that why such type of country give makers subsidy to show them stupid. Pre climax is most irritating and climax is above all frustrating. Performance wise Ritesh Deshmukh is miscast. He is an undoubtly a good actor and deserves better script. Pulkit Samrat is perfectly fit, as his unbalanced acting perfectly fits this flick. One thing is sure, you can't stop yourself laughing when he cries. Chandan Roy Sanyal, Akash Dabhade, Kumud Mishra are good actors but without scope. Music by Ram Sampat is good. Lyrics by Puneet Krishna, are heavy but fit in the film.

Critic Turned Writer-Director Karan Anshuman's 'Bangistan' is a Good Idea, but the execution is average. Made with noble intentions, this satirical comedy, however, doesn't leave the impact it ought to have, due to not-so-strong writing.

'Bangistan' Synopsis: After being brainwashed by two extremists, an Indian & a Muslim, turn into suicide bombers & plan to execute a dangerous plan at a cultural event in Poland. But their ideologies change, as they learn the truth about religion & god.

'Bangistan' lacks sharp writing. The Screenplay by Anshuman, Puneet Krishna & Sumit Purohit, definitely is noble, but it isn't engaging enough. The protagonists are decently written, but their journey doesn't inspire much. There are some moments that work, but overall, the narrative isn't full-proof. Anshuman's Direction is amateurish. Cinematography captures the beautiful locales of Poland, nicely. Editing lacks sharpness. Ram Sampath's Score is good.

Performance-Wise Riteish Deshmukh is marvelous & the life of the show. He is sincere, affecting & absolutely believable in his portrayal of a man torn between racial discrimination & violence. Pulkit Samrat is over-the-top. Jacqueline Fernandez is wasted in a cameo, she looks great though. Kumud Mishra is excellent in dual roles. Chandan Roy Sanyal & Aarya Babbar don't work.

On the whole, 'Bangistan' is a half-baked fare.