Filmistaan - Filmy Fever

After watching the trailer of Filmistaan, I wanted to see the movie. And I wasn’t disappointed. Debutant director, Nitin Kakkar has sprung a pleasant surprise by substituting the trademark song and dance with a situational comedy in the backdrop of tragedy and action.
The plot is as simple as a kidnapping gone wrong. And yet, the director cooks Bollywood meat over his gentle fire of direction to produce a delectable movie that speaks of universal brotherhood. Filmistaan reminds you of previous sparkling low budget movies like Phas Gaye Re Obama, Shahid, Bheja Fry and Tere Bin Laden. Simply put, Filmistaan is an offbeat mainstream comedy.

A fundamentalist group on the Indo-Pak border plans to kidnap Americans. Instead, they capture a Bollywood buff, Sunny (Sharib Hashmi). Rest of the movie is about how Sunny charms his way out, using his love for Bollywood and his friendship with Aftaab (Inaamilhaq). The fact that movie stars Sharib Hashmi, and not the other Hashmi we know, helps considerably. Because the film hinges on the acting prowess of Sharib Hashmi and Inaamulhaq. Spoof specialist, Gopal Dutt, who performs cameos on Cyrus Broacha’s ‘The Week That Wasn’t’ finds his groove as an abductor with a tender heart. Moments of laughter pep up this two hour drama at right intervals. Just when Sunny gets bashed by his abductors and the emotions run high, he makes you smile with his filmy rendition of Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota, Rulayega Kya Pagle, Maar Daala Maar Daala.
I laughed the loudest during the scene where Sunny directs a video of his own abduction. And another scene where Sunny enthralls Pakistani villagers by mouthing Salman’s lines in Maine Payar Kiya remains my favorite.
This is not to say that the movie is without any glitches. There are moments when the pace slackens and you begin to shuffle your feet. Also, Filmistaan is not memorable cinema that stays long after you leave the theatre. It is simply a credible attempt, as the director refuses the clutches of a good looking cast, foot tapping music or scenic locales. It isn't easy to draw audiences, when your slightly obese hero remains captured in a mud house without a simpering heroine singing songs.That said, the acceptance of unconventional protagonists minus the six packs is a welcome trend. So yes, a Nawaazuddin Sidiqui, a Rajkumar Rao or a Sharib Hashmi can give some sleepless nights to Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff and their ilk.
Finally, if you intend to see Filmistaan in a theater, stay away from watching the trailer on YouTube. Because the trailer captures the best moments of Filmistaan leaving you looking for more. But if you don’t wish to see the movie, go ahead and watch the trailer. Click here.