Review: 'Code Name: Tiranga' is mediocre storytelling at it best that is neither entertaining nor patriotic

Code Name: Tiranga

"Meri zindagi ghaavo ka guchcha hai" It is an array of dialogues like these that just stress on how big a miss Code Name: Tiranga is. The film that stars Parineeti Chopra and Punjabi singer and actor Harrdy Sandhu in lead roles goes on to become such a colossal mess that even a few instances of positives are not enough to save this sinking ship.

Having had the chance to see the film that is written and directed by Ribhu Dasgupta beforehand, here is what I thought of it- 

Mediocrity Maximised

Apart from the production design and quality of a few scenes, the entire film from the interior and the exterior is the perfect example of how mediocrity seemed to be the assignment given to everyone attached to this film. Right from the beginning, each and every development in this proposed espionage thriller is just basic, predictable and even boring. Be it Agent Durga/Ismat's (Chopra) move of betraying a nice and loving man in the form of Dr. Mirza Ali (Sandhu) or be it having a 'mole' in the core system itself - these are such overused tropes that it is just banal.

Fine Actors Given Wafer Thin Characters

It is such a mixed feeling when you see fine actors in more and more films. On one hand, you feel happy that they are getting more work than ever but on the other hand, you cannot stand the fact that they are given sluggishly written characters to portray which doesn't give them much to work with. Celebrated actors like Rajit Kapur, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and Sharad Kelkar are given such poorly written and one-tone roles that you just pity them; especially Kelkar. As the main antagonist, Khalid Omar, Kelkar is provided with the most cliched and stereotypical Muslim terrorist possible. The actor tries his best to lend some credibility with his voice and gravitas but it is of no fruit. 

The Only Positives

In a film that is so sloppy, it was a task to find some positives. One of them can definitely be the cinematography by Tribhuvan Babu Sadineni. And a furthermore reason for that is the fact that the locations in the film are just beautiful. Be it the small yet artistic lanes in Turkey and Afghanistan or the couple of drone shots of a place that is entirely ice-clad; it is indeed amazing. Even the usage of counter-strike-style (video game style) shoot of a particular segment is finely done but even then it is too stretched and gets nauseating after a while.

Parineeti Chopra and Action

It becomes a hit-and-miss for both Parineeti Chopra's performance and the action sequences in the film. There are a few scenes when Chopra shines and gives an earnest act but unfortunately, more often than not, she is just 'acting' too much. Especially in a few key moments that should arouse the patriotism and sadness, it evokes absolutely nothing in you. To add to it, her and director's choice to give her voiceover extra gravitas just becomes a bad decision. Similarly, a few action scenes are finely choreographed and the camera work attached to it is also good but in some others, it is slapdash and looks under-rehearsed. It is funny how the title and a full-blown Vande Mataram reworked song is inserted in an attempt to evoke the patriotism but not for one moment does the film will make you feel patriotic in any manner.

The Verdict

In the end, Code Name: Tiranga neither raises any adrenaline it might have intended to do, nor does it entertain or provide novelty with its story, direction and performances.

Rating - *1/2 (1.5/5)