Main Aur Charles Movie Review

 

Main Aur Charles Movie 2015

Release Date: 30 October 2015

Starring: Randeep Hooda, Richa Chadda, Adil Hussain and Mandana Karimi

Directed by: Prawaal Raman

Produced by: Raju Chadha, Amit Kapoor and Vikram Khakhar

Story: Prawaal Raman

Music by: Aditya Trivedi, Vipin Patwa, Bally Grunge and Sanjeev-Darshan

Duration: 2 Hours 4 Minutes

Genres: Drama and Thriller

Censor Rating: A

About

Bollywood has created many biopics on notable personalities, but, there are only a few which are based on the life of a criminal. Many references, situations and acts committed by real-life criminals and gangsters have been featured in movies, but the new-age cinema has something more to offer. ‘Main Aur Charles’ is one of such genres based on the life of ‘serial killer’, Charles Sobhraj. Charles was an enigmatic con man during the 80s, who gained popularity due to his charismatic and mysterious personality. Will this week’s release be a game player in the experimental cinema? Let’s check out!

Plot

The movie revolves around the life of the protagonist Charles (Randeep Hooda), an international con-man and a notorious serial killer. The story is authored by a Delhi cop, Amod Kanth (Adil Hussain) who is trailing the con-man. This is why the name of the movie is ‘Main Aur Charles’. Not only Kanth, Thailand, Mumbai and Goa police’ are also searching for Charles’ Sobhraj. The story revolves around Charles’ cons, jail-breaks, romance with different women and his life during the 70s and 80s.

Performances

Randeep Hooda, portrayed as Charles Sobhraj, has completely nailed it! His looks, style, body language and the way he talks in a genuine French accent is commendable. He is comfortable and easy in his demeanour as the French killer.

Adil Hussain steals the show! As Delhi cop, he has done a brilliant job and his acting and performance are noteworthy.

Actresses Richa Chadda and Mandana Karimi work well for the film. Other supporting casts have also done justice to their roles.

When you have brilliance in the form of two actors – Randeep and Adil, half the job of the director is done! But, in the rest of the half, director Prawaal Raman failed to create any magic. Raman did not succeeded in making an appropriate use of such brilliant actors. He managed to create the era of 80s well on screen but has not been able to deliver a strong script. With so many timelines and lack of their proper presentation, he leaves the audience in a confused state. Raman should have realised that sometimes it is difficult for layman audience to understand and stay gripped to the film when they are overburdened with information.

Music

The music album of ‘Main Aur Charles’ has been assembled by many composers, lyricists and singers – most of them being newcomers in Bollywood. It is a bit surprising to see as many as eight numbers in the music album of a thriller film. The music of the movie, which is based on the genres of thrill, suspense and drama, is also expected to be in the same flavour. Overall, the music of the movie is average and it seems that hardly any song will make it to the chartbusters. ‘Theme of Charles’ and ‘Dekhe Meri Aankhon Mein Jo’ can be rated as the best songs from the entire album.

Details of songs in the movie:

1. “Neeli Bullet”

Singer: Aditya Trivedi

Duration: 03:41

2. “Who Tho Yahin Hai Lekin”

Singer: Jonita Gandhi

Duration: 02:51

3. “Dekhe Meri Aankhon Mein Jo”

Singer: Saba Azad

Duration: 03:36

4. “Ya Rabba”

Singer: Saugat Upadhaya

Duration: 04:07

5. “Jee Lo Yaaron”

Singer: Saugat Upadhaya

Duration: 03:43

6. “Main to Yahin Hoon Lekin”

Singer: Ali Azmat

Duration: 02:39

7. “Jab Chaye Mera Jadoo”

Singer: Kanika Kapoor

Duration: 04:54

8. “Theme of Charles”

Singer: Aditya Trivedi

Duration: 03:36

What’s Good?

Randeep Hooda is a charmer. On the top of it we have Adil Hussain’s performance. The 80s era has been nicely featured in the movie.  

What’s Bad?

The loose script is the biggest let down. The film is high on style and low on content. The film lacks the detailing of the multiple timelines. If the writer-director would have done more research, the movie might have been a blockbuster. Most parts of the film tell the stories about Sobhraj which the audiences already know. Some unknown and uncommon instances from Sobhraj’s life would have made it more interesting.

Verdict: Can be only watched for Hooda and Adil’s performances.

Rating: **1/2

 

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