Malang Review: A Game of Madness that could have earned the Title of 'Flawless' film; But it didn't!

The film starts like no other Bollywood flick that has its foundation based on nothing but the same cliches that have made its way to the script for a long time now. We see Advait Thakur walking through the corridors of jail and making his way towards a goon who holds a strong influence over other lowly criminals. The establishing scene offers a gaming vision as the protagonist lands powerful kicks and punches to stop the stooges who try to obey and protect their boss (A bulky character). 

Seems too old fashioned right? Yes, it is old but effective in terms of portraying machoism. 

No sooner Agashe’s character grabs your attention you can clearly see him attempting a serious crime and as usual, Kapoor did not hold back in showing off his madness in the entire film. Well, most of the time we have seen him performing the sophisticated, family man characters or a lover boy Lakhan whose dance steps make it to the dance floor even today, but not for this film no doubt he made a wise decision choosing this film.

While we try to process the central characters of the whole drama, Mohit Suri introduces them individually which gives him time to explore the characters forming an emotional connection with the audience. 

By the time the first murder is committed, we see Micheal an ideal husband and a mother's favorite son enjoying his Christmas, and as we progress towards the closure of this scene the director has already created an image that bonds us with a feeling of pitful for him. But you can clearly visualize Michael keeping his insecurities buried that might be really fatal for a human which can easily trigger the monster inside him.

Overall the first half of the film is quite over the place owing to all the time jumps between past and present; Disha and Aditya’s chemistry followed by loud and vibrant parties, with Drugs and not to forget the killings which makes even the lively element of the film die down. Amidst all the unseen breakdown of the film, Suri has still managed to hold the audience’s attention by using Disha and Aditya as an eye-candy. 

No offense but it seems he intended to use them as an eye-magnet that would hold the audience’s senses and elude their attention from all the clutter in the first half. 

Frankly, the film is way too sexualized, and we need not acknowledge the fact of how sexual content works in Bollywood. At times you need to wonder; Why does Aditya take off his T-shirt all the time? Whereas Anil Kapoor is the one who amongst all the other central characters; he doesn’t need to take off his Shirt!

To be honest the first half takes away most of the fun and the cluttered mess drives away all your attention from the plot. On the contrary, the second half is a complete amalgamation of all the central characters meeting at rising action which would result in completing their destiny. 

Malang has successfully captured the hilarious moments which contribute to the building of the film. For instance, Agashe brings an African American drug pedlar into questioning who claims to have visited India over student visa but due to the inspector's oppression, he suddenly starts blabbering out the truth in Hindi followed by Marathi which definitely results in audience cracking a laugh.

The second half suddenly grips onto your attention as these lead characters finally start to expose their true colors of psychological disturbance. The writer has effectively used the central character's similarities to form an emotional connection leading to strong outbursts. Even Kunal agrees they three are all the same as he acknowledges that Agashe and Advait don't kill for passion however, Kunal kills for satisfaction.

Somehow, Aditya, Kunal, and Anil have excelled on their part which helps the film gain a few points. However, Disha couldn't match up the expressions that could have easily convinced the audience and help Aditya form chemistry with her. 

In conclusion, the lingering chaos has definitely dropped some marks from the overall score which solely credits to the director himself. But, the Mentally distressed characters have rounded up a great emotional connection despite the barbaric hate.

Ratings: 3.5/5