'Kaalakaandi' rides on an exciting idea, but entertains only in doses. Writer-Director Akshat Verma delivers a trippy, hysterical & absurd black-comedy that has some LOL moments, but comes across as uneven as it unfolds. Saif Ali Khan, however, aces over all & steals the show.
'Kaalakaandi' Synopsis: Three stories unfold during a wild night in Mumbai, India.
'Kaalakaandi' has three stories, out of which only Saif's chapter works. As the man who's diagnosed with cancer, who later decides to let loose & goes all-high & encounters a transvestite, is among the film's strongest points. In his story, there is also Akshay Oberoi, who does something funnily stupid right before his marriage. The other story, featuring the gorgeous Sobhita Dhulipala as a woman who lands in trouble before flying abroad, is strictly okay. But the final story here, based on the supreme talents of Vijay Raaz & Deepak Dobriyal, is a complete waste. Despite two powerhouse performers & a ton of abusive language, this story is devoid of motive or impact.
So, 'Kaalakaandi' aims to be a whacky, absurd black-comedy, with Mumbai being a character in itself in the narrative, but Verma doesn't entirely deliver. Had he stuck to only Saif's chapter, 'Kaalakaandi' would've been a laugh-riot, but alas, that's not the case. The remaining 2 stories don't stand out & even the pace in the second-hour, wobbles. In short, 'Kaalakaandi' has hilarious moments, but they are never enough to compensate for the film's other flaws.
And then there is Saif. In a fearless, over-the-top performance, Saif returns to top-form after a hiatus. Having wasted his talents in duds like Rangoon & Chef last year, Saif takes on a trippy & crazy part & excels from start to finish. His scenes with the actress who portrays the transvestite, left me in splits. Its a shame that 'Kaalakaandi' can never match up-to Saif's bare-naked madness. Of the rest of the cast, Isha Talwar is excellent & Neil Bhoopalam leaves a mark in a comical cameo.
On the whole, 'Kaalakaandi' has its moments for sure, but the minuses hit it hard. Nonetheless, not a bad way to spend the weekend!
'Kaalakaandi' Synopsis: Three stories unfold during a wild night in Mumbai, India.
'Kaalakaandi' has three stories, out of which only Saif's chapter works. As the man who's diagnosed with cancer, who later decides to let loose & goes all-high & encounters a transvestite, is among the film's strongest points. In his story, there is also Akshay Oberoi, who does something funnily stupid right before his marriage. The other story, featuring the gorgeous Sobhita Dhulipala as a woman who lands in trouble before flying abroad, is strictly okay. But the final story here, based on the supreme talents of Vijay Raaz & Deepak Dobriyal, is a complete waste. Despite two powerhouse performers & a ton of abusive language, this story is devoid of motive or impact.
So, 'Kaalakaandi' aims to be a whacky, absurd black-comedy, with Mumbai being a character in itself in the narrative, but Verma doesn't entirely deliver. Had he stuck to only Saif's chapter, 'Kaalakaandi' would've been a laugh-riot, but alas, that's not the case. The remaining 2 stories don't stand out & even the pace in the second-hour, wobbles. In short, 'Kaalakaandi' has hilarious moments, but they are never enough to compensate for the film's other flaws.
And then there is Saif. In a fearless, over-the-top performance, Saif returns to top-form after a hiatus. Having wasted his talents in duds like Rangoon & Chef last year, Saif takes on a trippy & crazy part & excels from start to finish. His scenes with the actress who portrays the transvestite, left me in splits. Its a shame that 'Kaalakaandi' can never match up-to Saif's bare-naked madness. Of the rest of the cast, Isha Talwar is excellent & Neil Bhoopalam leaves a mark in a comical cameo.
On the whole, 'Kaalakaandi' has its moments for sure, but the minuses hit it hard. Nonetheless, not a bad way to spend the weekend!