No matter how much I try, it would be difficult to make this review funnier than the movie itself. Though unintentional, Aarakshan is uproariously funny if seen with the right group! With so much HAM spread over the screen, it is a cine-carnivores delight!
If you have to see this film, then you have to have certain reservations:
Reserve your thoughts – Do not let you mind work during the film, reserve and preserve it for later. Hard to believe, but Prakash Jha has made a substandard film. Not only is the story and screenplay unimaginably lame, but the treatment poor. Songs break out at crazy times. We entered 2 minutes late, and were confused with what was happening on screen. First Deepika sings “Short main niptaao naa” (You start hoping the same for the film!!) and then an entire group sings the most HAMMY song in a long long time called “mauka” –( You look at your friends and say Mauka achchaa hai, bhaag lo).
Reserve your sensibilities – The story suffers from the forced-situations syndrome. Convenient turns, abrupt and swift twists leave you confused. One moment Deepika and Saif are being romantic, cut 2 Saif is having a HAM fest with Bajpai and Babbar. One moment Saif/ the world is pro Amitabh, cut 2 – everyone becomes a villain. Every student is ready to commit suicide, every rich man is against the poor and is corrupt, every channel is ready to throw sleaze for money. There are so many inane scenes that it’s difficult to control your laughter. And then there is some top class HAM baazi. Discussions, debates, arguments galore on “reservation” for the first hour and post that on commercialization of education. Although everyone Hams, there is none quiet like Babbar. Prateik makes you shriek ! Dude, if there is an Oscar for Lameness, he wins Pants down!
Reserve your hearing – Yes, do not pay too much attention to the dialogues. Upar upar se suno aur majaa lo. If words translate to thoughts, you would miss the HAM and start getting bored. When Saif rants, smile.. When Deepika bellows, smile.. When Bajpai spits, smile… When Amitabh defends, smile... When Prateik appears, hold-on-to-your-stomach-and-roll-on-the-floor-with-laughter !!!
Reserve your Alphabet – This film is about “Q”. Prakash Jha reserves other Aplhabets for other films. If you do watch this film, try to count the number of times Amitabh says “Q” and don’t ask Kyon !!!
This film is not about reservation. It’s just a guise. An attempt to stir up unnecessary opposition and to get some publicity. This is essentially a poor film on “Commercialization of Education”. It’s a shameful product from Prakash Jha… (What’s with the rueful editing man!!!) Jhaji Saaman Baandho, Uthaao aur Katt lo!!
This film is Q.E.D - Quiet Easily Dispensable! Please listen to me … Fight reservation, don’t book your seats for this one!
Rating: 3 / 10 ( 2 for Prateik's Oscar worthy performance!!)