Review: 'Aankh Micholi' is a wastage of iconic comic actors with flat writing and treatment

Aankh Micholi review

Director Umesh Shukla, known for his previous works such as 'OMG 2,' 'All is Well,' and '102 Not Out,' is now back with a new project called 'Aankh Micholi.' It seems that judging a film based on the director's past films might not be a fair approach, as my expectations were pretty decent, given his previous work, especially with 'OMG'. However, after watching the movie, here's what I think about it.

Plot and Treatment

This film adheres to the typical formula of a clichéd comedy-drama, featuring a family with diverse individuals possessing eccentric personality traits. Paresh Rawal plays Navjot Singh, a character who constantly forgets everything. He has two sons: Sharman Joshi as Yuvraj, who is deaf, and Abhishek Banerjee as Harbhajan, who stammers. Their mission is to find a suitable match for their sister, Mrunal Thakur, who suffers from night blindness. The plot takes a turn when Mrunal Thakur's character, Paro, encounters a guy in Switzerland and develops feelings for him. Serendipitously, he enters her life as Rohit Patel (Abhimanyu Dassani) through an arranged marriage setup. The ensuing family drama revolves around concealing Paro's night blindness and the various health issues of the family members from their in-laws.

Although the concept seemed intriguing, the film fell short in its execution. The writing lacks depth, and the film's runtime becomes somewhat tedious. Hopes for a more engaging second half are nearly fulfilled until the climax, which ultimately disappoints and leaves the audience astounded. The humor falls flat. This film was made before the pandemic, and in the context of the current state of cinema, especially post-pandemic, where content has reached unprecedented heights, it feels like a movie that could have gained more attention before the pandemic era.

The 'what is actually happening' feeling

The director attempts to present the film in a more sketchy style, employing black and white shots and animated character introductions. However, these stylistic choices don't quite align with the narrative. Throughout the movie, you'll find yourself questioning what is actually transpiring, particularly during the climax when everything is revealed and Paro and Rohit are taking their final pheras. The main issue lies in the treatment of the one-liners and situational comedy, which fail to resonate effectively. There are instances where Paresh Rawal's character forgets to forget, and a visually impaired character executes a pre-choreographed song flawlessly, among other inconsistencies. To add to the bewilderment, the most significant moment comes after the end credits, revealing that a sequel is in the works. 

Underutilized Ensemble

In many films, we often encounter instances where an actor's potential seems wasted or underused due to the script's limitations. However, in this particular movie, you'll find yourself lamenting the underutilization of almost every actor, leaving you puzzled about their involvement in the project. It's challenging to single out specific performances because each actor, whether it's Paresh Rawal as Navjot Singh, Sharman Joshi as Yuvraj Singh, Abhishek Banerjee as Harbhajan Singh, Divya Dutta as Yuvraj's wife, Mrunal Thakur as Paro, Vijay Raaz as the nemesis, all possess incredible acting skills. They strive to deliver what's expected from the script, but unfortunately, their characters are poorly written. Consequently, their efforts do not stand out or make an impact. Abhimanyu has room for improvement, and it's apparent that he could shine brighter with the right script.

The Verdict

"Aankh Micholi" is a failed attempt by the director, who aimed to bring together a talented ensemble known for their comedic prowess with a good concept but a lacklustre treatment that doesn't really ring the laughter bells. 

Rating

*1/2 (1.5/5) stars