So much was expected from the first collaboration between Aanand L Rai and Shah Ruk Khan in Zero but you will feel let down after watching this 2 hours 44 minutes film on a Meerut-Mars journey that fails to take off.
Zero tells the story of vertically challenged, Bauua Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) who is about to get married to a physically disabled, Aafia Bhinder (Anushka Sharma), a NASA scientist suffering with cerebral palsy. However, Bauua betrays Aafia and chases the bold and beautiful actress Babita Kumar (Katrina Kaif), only to realize that he has actually fallen in love with Aafia and wants her back at any cost.
From the man who gave blockbusters like Tanu Weds Manu, Raanjhanaa and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Aanand L Rai is directing Zero and so much was expected from him. Even the trailer of Zero, which was unveiled on 2nd November had smashed all the records in YouTube since it release, becoming the #1 trending item on the channel. With this, the curiosity to watch the film almost doubled. Unfortunately, you will be shocked when you see the film in theater. The film opens with a bang introducing Bauua Singh and his friend (brilliantly played by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) , confrontation with his father (Tigmanshu Dhulia) which will definitely bring down the house, coupled with tuneful songs, especially the brilliant choreographed "Mere Naam Tu". All these elements will help you sail you through the first half of the film smoothly. However, something happens in the second half and the story goes haywire and too much disruptions causes the film to halt and it never recovers. The screenplay becomes so weak that you might even a take a small nap in between the scenes. Aanand L Rai is definitely not in form and he has disappointed big time with Zero (main reason for me to watch this film) as he defines his characters in the film with so much depth and details (remember the characters of Pappi Ji , Raja Awasthi, Payal and Jassi from Tanu Weds Manu Returns). Writing from Himanshu Sharma (again he was brilliant in Tanu Weds Manu franchise and Ranjhanna) is weak in Zero which does not create any impact at all. Technically, Zero is very good with superb art direction, lovely cinematography and stunning visual effects along with good background score (Ajay -Atul)
The only saving grace in this film is Shah Rukh Khan. I have been writing in my previous reviews (especially FAN), Shah Rukh Khan has the energy and potential but he is choosing the script which is taking away his credit as an actor. In Zero, you cannot imagine anyone apart from Shah Rukh Khan playing the character so aptly. He gets into the character of Bauua Singh with so much ease as if he is playing a real character. Anushka Sharma does well but in few places could have been better. Katrina Kaif was surprisingly good while Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub was just mind-blowing.
Overall, the journey of Zero from Meerut-Mars will be a forgettable one . It is a big opportunity gone wasted. Below average 2/5
Zero tells the story of vertically challenged, Bauua Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) who is about to get married to a physically disabled, Aafia Bhinder (Anushka Sharma), a NASA scientist suffering with cerebral palsy. However, Bauua betrays Aafia and chases the bold and beautiful actress Babita Kumar (Katrina Kaif), only to realize that he has actually fallen in love with Aafia and wants her back at any cost.
From the man who gave blockbusters like Tanu Weds Manu, Raanjhanaa and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Aanand L Rai is directing Zero and so much was expected from him. Even the trailer of Zero, which was unveiled on 2nd November had smashed all the records in YouTube since it release, becoming the #1 trending item on the channel. With this, the curiosity to watch the film almost doubled. Unfortunately, you will be shocked when you see the film in theater. The film opens with a bang introducing Bauua Singh and his friend (brilliantly played by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) , confrontation with his father (Tigmanshu Dhulia) which will definitely bring down the house, coupled with tuneful songs, especially the brilliant choreographed "Mere Naam Tu". All these elements will help you sail you through the first half of the film smoothly. However, something happens in the second half and the story goes haywire and too much disruptions causes the film to halt and it never recovers. The screenplay becomes so weak that you might even a take a small nap in between the scenes. Aanand L Rai is definitely not in form and he has disappointed big time with Zero (main reason for me to watch this film) as he defines his characters in the film with so much depth and details (remember the characters of Pappi Ji , Raja Awasthi, Payal and Jassi from Tanu Weds Manu Returns). Writing from Himanshu Sharma (again he was brilliant in Tanu Weds Manu franchise and Ranjhanna) is weak in Zero which does not create any impact at all. Technically, Zero is very good with superb art direction, lovely cinematography and stunning visual effects along with good background score (Ajay -Atul)
The only saving grace in this film is Shah Rukh Khan. I have been writing in my previous reviews (especially FAN), Shah Rukh Khan has the energy and potential but he is choosing the script which is taking away his credit as an actor. In Zero, you cannot imagine anyone apart from Shah Rukh Khan playing the character so aptly. He gets into the character of Bauua Singh with so much ease as if he is playing a real character. Anushka Sharma does well but in few places could have been better. Katrina Kaif was surprisingly good while Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub was just mind-blowing.
Overall, the journey of Zero from Meerut-Mars will be a forgettable one . It is a big opportunity gone wasted. Below average 2/5