Firangi Movie Review – Kapil Sharma’s Latest Flick Is Dull And Boring

Firangi Movie Review

Firangi

Cast – Kapil Sharma, Ishita Dutta, Monica Gill, Kumud Mishra, Inamulhaq, Anjan Shrivastav, Rajesh Sharma, Edward Sonnenblick

  • Directed by – Rajiev Dhingra
  • Produced by –  Kapil Sharma
  • Story by – Rajiev Dhingra
  • Screenplay by – Rajiev Dhingra, Balwinder Singh Janjua, Rupinder Chahal
  • Cinematography by – Navneet Misser
  • Edited by – Omkar Nath Bakhri
  • Production House – K9 Films
  • Duration – 2 hours 41 minutes

There’s this old, rather clichéd joke that I was reminded of this morning. A man heads to the local halwai. There he asks for 50 grams each of laddu, peda, halwa, jalebi, and barfi. He then asks the halwai to mix them all together and decides to buy a miniscule quantity of the result. Not funny, you say? Well, Kapil Sharma’s second Bollywood venture (after Kis Kisko Pyar Karoon) isn’t either. In fact, it is one of the most boring movies you’re likely to come across this year. Rajiv Dhingra’s directorial venture borrows heavily from Lagaan and Phillauri but fails to achieve the magic of the former and the musical success of the latter. It was certainly brave of Sharma to have taken on a movie which is not an out and out comedy for but it is also high time he acknowledge the fact that he does not have a career in acting.

Firangi Movie Plot

Manga (Kapil Sharma) is a village lad who believes that not all Britishers are bad people. After many failed attempts at securing employment, he ends up as the orderly of a British officer, Mark Daniels (Edward Sonnenblick). He also falls in love with Sargi (Ishita Dutta), a simple girl from the neighbouring village. With the help of a trusting Manga, Daniels plans to forcibly evict Sargi and her villagers, and to construct a liquor factory on the site. Aiding Daniels in this evil scheme is the local king (Kumud Mishra). When Manga becomes aware of the plot he enlists the help of the princess (Monica Gill) and the plot ultimately takes on a patriotic flavour. Sargi’s grandfather (Anjan Shrivastav) is a Gandhi follower and predictably the climax ends with Manga saving the villagers and the village but only after the intervention of a renowned freedom fighter.

Film Review

Let us first take a look at the leading pair of Firangi. We’re not sure what casting director Vicky Sidana saw in them but Kapil Sharma and Ishita Dutta are a very mismatched pair and the chemistry between the is completely absent. Sharma’s expressions are insipid and he fails to have us invested in the story. It is good, however, to see Ishita Dutta (the Drishyam girl) take on a leading role and do her part justice. That girl has promise. Supporting actors Anjan Shrivastav and Inamulhaq try to lend the movie a bit of humour and credibility.

The greatest failure is undoubtedly that of the director, Rajiev Dhingra. We understand the budgetary constraints that he may have faced but it does not excuse mismatched costumes and props, the fake accents, the implausible storyline, and the shoddy execution of the film.

Firangi is a confused movie. The director’s biggest mistake is his inability or perhaps unwillingness to pick a theme and stick to it. Firangi attempts to be a period piece, a romantic drama, a comedy, and a patriotic story and ends up as an unsavoury mix.

Firangi is an unduly long movie and apart from providing Kapil Sharma ample screen time the flick does nothing to justify its length. The cinematography is good but is lost in the dreariness of the plot.

Music Review            

The one definitive demand that any desi audience has from a pre-independence era movie set in Punjab is great music – earthy notes that tug the heart strings, lilting romantic numbers, and fiery patriotic songs. Firangi fails us on this front too. Despite some of the most-loved singers (Sunidhi Chauhanm Rahat Fateh Ali Khanm Daler Mehndi, Shafqat Amanat Ali etc.) the music of Firangi remains mediocre at best.  The songs have all been composed by Jatinder Shah and penned by Dr. Devendra Kafir (except Gulbadan). Songs like Oye Firangi and Sahiba Russ Gayiya fit in well but are not compellingly hummable. Item number, Gulbadan, is a complete letdown. With not much happening on other fronts, we only wish the music of Firangi had been captivating. Firangi merely fails.

Our Verdict

Find something useful to do this weekend. Skip Manga and find a good flick on TV. If you are compelled to watch this movie in theatres (for unknown reasons) do order a large tub of popcorn to keep yourself engaged.

Rating – *