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Complete review of ‘Lucknow Central’
Star Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Diana Penty, Gippy Grewal, Deepak Dobriyal, Inaamulhaq, Ronit Roy and Ravi Kishan
Director: Ranjit Tiwari
Producer: Nikhil Advani, Monisha Advani, Madhu G. Bhojwani, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures
Production Company: Emmay Entertainment
Music Director: Arjunna Harjaie, Rochak Kohli, Tanishk Bagchi
Rating: 2.5/5*
Written and directed by Ranjit Tiwari, “Lucknow Central” has a dramatic plot but moreover has some really good performances. The film has a strong resemblance to YRF’s latest released “Qaidi Band”, which might be the biggest hurdle for it.
Story of the movie:
The film starts off with a day in the life of the Moradabad based Kishan Mohan Girhotra (Farhan Akhtar). In order to achieve his dream of forming a band, he even records a demo CD in order to hand it over to a topmost singer (played by Manoj Tiwari, in a cameo), but, his efforts go in total vain. One day, out of the blue, cops arrest him and put him in Lucknow Central jail on the charges of murdering an IAS officer. He awaits his High Court trial for a death penalty.
Gayatri (Diana Penty), an NGO worker is assigned to form a band of prisoners for the band competition which is to be held in the dreaded jail on August 15th. CM (Ravi Kishan) also helps jail authorities in conducting the cultural programme. Kishen befriends four other inmates in the jail, Dikkat Ansari (Inaamulhaq), Victor (Deepak Dobriyal) and Pali (Gippy Grewal) and convinces them to join the band. A tough cop Ronit Roy has an eye on them too but how these four plan to escape from the jail amidst all the festivities is what the rest of the film is all about.
Is Kishan able to succeed in its plan? Does he be able to dodge Lucknow Central Jail jailer (Ronit Roy)? To know the answers you have to watch the movie…
Script Analysis
While there have been films like Rock on 2, Aashiqui 2 and Banjo, where music was the backdrop, Lucknow Central has a good treatment but has its own loopholes. Few situations shown in the film are a little too dramatic. The plot gets off track at many places. The rivalries between the two prisoner groups is a little too much explored while the basic premise is only about forming a band and escaping from the jail.
Direction:
‘Lucknow Central’ is the first film directed by Ranjit Tiwari. In this sense, the direction is good. The atmosphere and location of the jail are amazing. The prisoner’s life is shown very closely in the film. Director Ranjit Tiwari delivers an entertaining film as the first half not only has intriguing back stories of each band member but also highlights the issues faced by the prisoners in the jail like the quality of food they eat to the bitter truth of sexual assault of the prisoners. Second half of the film is a gripping chase of the prisoners by the jail authorities.
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Star Cast Performance:
Farhan Akhtar is good in his emotional and intense scenes but he looks repetitive. His performance could easily remind you of the Rock On franchise. Farhan Akhtar own the film like a king. His dialogue delivery is excellent, some of his dialogue touches the heart.
Diana Penty looks sober but she has nothing much to do in the film. Any heroine could have pulled this role off.
Inaamulhaq brings out the comic element in the film and he is too good. Deepak Dobriyal is a visual treat like ever before. Gippy Grewal looks as apt for his role as he performs quite well being primarily as a singer. Ronit Roy is good to watch.
Ravi Kishan as the ‘supercool cum calm minded cum sarcastic’ minister is really lovable and remarkable.
Music Direction:
As for the music of the film, barring a couple of songs like the impressive ‘Teen Kabootar’ and ‘Kaavaan Kaavaan’, the film does not have any memorable songs. The film’s background score is commendable
Final Verdict:
Lucknow Central is a riveting tale of prisoners with an interesting premise and some sparkling performances but similarities with Qaidi Band will surely affect the film in every possible way.
Watch or Not:
The movie will work, but, only if the word of mouth publicity is extremely strong. Still, the film is recommended by us purely for its innovative script and stellar performances by the lead actors. If you like Farhan Akhtar’s acting, then only go to watch the movie…
Check out the public review of ‘Lucknow Central’ here:
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