Fugly

wogma rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do (?)

quick review:

Yet another, "let's fight the system" film. This one takes on way too much and takes way too much time to express itself too.

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Director: Kabir Sadanand
Running time: 135 minutes
Genres: Social
More Movie Info

Fugly - Preview

Fugly's trailer makes you as neutral about it as is possible. The premise is very Shaitan-ish and has enough novelty about it to make it intriguing. At the same time, toilet humor seems to be in-built with one of the main characters owning a commode business. We know where they are hoping to get their smiles from.

The drama that ensues though seems interesting. Of course, Jimmy Sheirgill's presence does tip the balance in the film's favor too. The rest though so much potential to quickly slip into a boring fare. The music too doesn't seem to have inspired any good reviews. Let's hope the film betters the music.

Music Reviews:
Bollyspice - "2/5"
Bollywood Hungama - "1.5/5"
koimoi - "3/5"
Milliblog - "Flippant, barmy soundtrack befitting the title!"

- meeta, a part of the audience

Four friends. One girl, three boys. Delhi. Attitude times a few. To top it off, one of them is a cabinet minister's son. They seem to be interested in just having a good time. Given this set-up Fugly actually caught me by surprise when a group of four friends who seemed interested only in having a good time got worked up about social issues - be it eve-teasing or the law and order-politician nexus. It is a shame then, that Fugly doesn't capitalize on the fact that these issues touch the characters' lives personally and ours too. Despite it being so easy to identify with them, we could barely care about what happens to them.

The culprit is the paradoxical pace. There is so much going on in the film to the extent that it almost feels like a thriller. Yet, the dramatization, the slow-motions, the extra time spent on elaborating on a scene - kills the film. I am a huge fan of silences and impregnated moments. I love lingering scenes. But, Fugly shows how that can go all wrong when you want to tell the maker, "Got it, move on already!" I guess there is a time, a place and a movie for everything.

The four lead characters are played by actors who are either too loud or too flat. Amongst the other actors, of course only Jimmy Sheirgill looks like someone we can take seriously. But, then again, he becomes repetitive and predictable.

I doubt any of this can be blamed on the actors when the writing is haywire - in screenplay and dialogue. The story by itself is interesting, but it has these irrelevant sub-plots. Almost like, before coming up with the story the writers came up with a list of the issues they wanted to address - eve-teasing, corruption in law and order, hooliganism and ruthlessness in politics, angst of the youth, insensitivity of the media, prositution, gay prostitution, rave parties and so on. They then came up with a story to fit in everything. And that's no way to tell a story, is it?

The song and dance sequences further break the jarred flow. They only make matters worse with run-time already stretched beyond patience levels due to some editing/screenplay decisions. Style can add to content, but not this laboured kind of style.

I'd still like to believe that Fugly could've been a different film, even better maybe, if they fixed the pace issue. But then again, maybe that would be a different film altogether.

- meeta, a part of the audience

31 reviewers(?) - 2 yays 3 so-so 26 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Subhash K. Jha, Apun Ka Choice : ...Two of the actors Mohit Marwah and Kiara Advani are star material. Their on screen relationship remains undefined, unpunctuated by the mandatory item song. This film possesses a very rare virtue. A conscience.... full review

Thumbs up, by Joginder Tuteja, Movie Talkies : ...All of this makes Fugly yet another different offering by producers Akshay Kumar and Ashvini Yardi who defy norms by bringing something unconventional, yet entertaining. ... full review

So-So, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ...FUGLY is relatable that portrays several episodes that mirror the realities and the problems the youth encounter in the present times. A decent entertainer! ... full review

So-So, Indicine : ...Fugly might connect with the youth of North India because of the familiar circumstances shown in the film. That is what might help it recover from the below average opening.... full review

So-So, by Srijana Mitra Das, Times of India : ...The result is like a soggy Delhi chaat where potentially spicy ingredients make a sorry mess. As F*ugly would phrase it, quite a f*waste.... full review

Thumbs down, by Anna MM Vetticad, annavetticadgoes2themovies : ...Some films are so bad they leave you angry. Fugly is just too tepid to incite that kind of passion. This is truly unfortunate because in those scenes where Devi is shown dealing with the sort of sexual harassment that Indian women have to face in daily life – at the workplace, at parties, everywhere, anywhere – and the consequences of her protest, the film does manage to be strikingly true-to-life.... full review

Thumbs down, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...F*ugly gets at least a part of its name right. The film is filled with “ugly” behaviour. There are ugly cops, politicians, mediapeople – even the regular folks are ugly.... full review

Thumbs down, by Deepa Gahlot, cinemaah : ...As for the slangy title, perhaps nobody in the censor board knew what it meant, and let an obscenity pass. That it doesn’t suit the film is another matter altogether.... full review

Thumbs down, Daily Bhaskar : ...Apart from Jimmy Shergill, we also loved a couple of songs and the background score.... full review

Thumbs down, by Smita Vyas Kumar, Desi Martini : ... A weak script and mediocre acting make this a tiresome movie to watch ... full review

Thumbs down, by Mohit Patil, Desi Martini : ...A crass, raucous, regressive, pedestrian “message movie”. An infuriating experience. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Krish Sripada, Desi Martini : ...A Cheap, pirated version of Rang De Basanti with oodles of pretension and hypocrisy and a twisted maze of a plot best ignored! ... full review

Thumbs down, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...For the uninitiated, the term Fugly was born online. It's a witty of the f word and ugly. Put together they denote something more than just not-pretty, something that is repulsive. But the word has a zestful pun. It's almost always used with a fun connotation. To use it to describe real scenarios and life-altering themes is to perhaps employ mix metaphors... full review

Thumbs down, by Suprateek Chatterjee, FirstPost : ... Fugly really all that bad compared to the other tripe we’re forced to watch? Yes it is. A terrible story is a terrible story, but a terrible story being told by someone with an overconfident smirk on their face is the worst thing ever. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Johnson Thomas, Free Press Journal : ...The super-talented Jimmy Shergill makes a valiant attempt to mark up the interest but it appears too facile in a sea of ineptitude- to make any difference whatsoever. Kabir Sadanand appears to have borrowed the template to be followed without really understanding the intricacies behind its successful mechanics. As it is, this one stretches disbelief too far and makes this ‘brand’ of intellectually depraved entertainment appear terribly unappealing!... full review

Thumbs down, by Neha Mathur, fullhyd.com : ...F*UGLY aspires to be a modern-day Rang De Basanti, questioning and awakening, but reads more like a string of disparate headlines bereft of matter or meat. There is only one question that remains to be asked: "Yeh fugly, fugly, kya tha?!!" ... full review

Thumbs down, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ... The only interesting part is when Sadanand tries to push in the patriotic angle. But that is like a desperate attempt to stay afloat after entering deep waters without a life jacket! Take off Jimmy Sheirgill and the movie loses respectability. It's like taking the 'F' out of fugly!... full review

Thumbs down, by Anupama Chopra, Hindustan Times : ...As Rahul and Kabir try to stir up Rang De Basanti-style patriotism, Fugly becomes more and more preposterous. By the end, anything is possible, including a patient with third-degree burns fighting it out with the mighty Chautala on a hospital bed.... full review

Thumbs down, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...Of the cast, Jimmy Shergill is deliciously evil as the blackmailing cop, but watch how he hams as the character finally gets his just desserts. The four youngsters, sadly, leave no impression, particularly Olympic boxing champ Vijender Singh, who survives the comic bits but struggles in the dramatic scenes. The one character that stayed with me was a feisty old biddy who distracted an income tax officer while her grandson made off with wads of notes. Genuine comic moments like these are few and far between in this well-intentioned but sloppy film. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Vinayak Chakravorty, india today : ...The young cast is obviously uncomfortable playing out characters that lack ample depth. Maybe each one of them could have some way to go if they get better breaks in the future. Eyes are on Vijender Singh naturally, and the Olympic medalist boxer carries on with a deadpan face playing his unapologetic Jatt avatar. If anything, it works for him unwittingly in the stray comic scenes. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...The lack of a credible plot does the debutants in, the girl faring just a little better than the boys. I liked that these ... full review

Thumbs down, by Mohar Basu, koimoi : ...Fugly must mean trash because I couldn’t find anything better in the film. A film devoid of soul, this movie will leave you mind-fuglied and I assure you that’s a state hard to overcome. I sat through the film in the hope of drooling at Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan’s gorgeous faces in the much hyped song but alas the film doesn’t allow us a single pleasure. I can’t bring myself to give any stars. It was too dumb and doomed to deserve anything.... full review

Thumbs down, by Shubha Shetty-saha, MiD DAY : ...While Vijendra Singh's boxing glove wears more expressions than him, Mohit Marwah and Kiara Advani make a decent debut. In fact, Kiara definitely has the potential that can be honed into making her a good actress on a better platform. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Aakash Barvalia, MoviezADDA : ...A fast paced Masala Thriller with a social message, it set in the bylanes of Delhi. Miss a beat narrative, that would drive you to the edge of your seat in true blue Dilli ke rang! As they would say in DELHI "Purra Da Purra Pomp and Show Kakke". Pulsating music, that is young, experimental and yet completely commercial, the movie is guaranteed to knock the knickers off anyone. It's whacky! It's Kitsch and it puts the best of friends through the most bizarre events of their life... the game is FUGLY!... full review

Thumbs down, by Rahul Desai, Mumbai Mirror : ...There will come a day when an ambitious filmmaker decides to raise awareness in a focused, entertaining and constructive manner, but that day isn't today. F*ugly is more of a fight for all that is ugly, than against it. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...Mohit Marwah, in the guise of the angry young man, shows occasional flashes of promise. But saddled with a role that literally yokes him to a hospital bed, there isn’t much he can do to rise above the mess. Kiara Advani does a fair job of looking pretty. She also gets some of the better lines to spout.... full review

Thumbs down, by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, Now Running.com : ... Fugly disappoints. The first half is still passable but the second half loses way completely. The screenplay could have done better with use of some logic. This a film that the director will have to take the fall for.... full review

Thumbs down, by Raja Sen, Rediff : ...So Kumar, making this movie for next to nothing, won't lose a thing and might even make some money (in a world where Gunday is a hit), but if you fork over your dough and actually spend time on this, well, you've Fuglied up bigtime.... full review

Thumbs down, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...The film starts as an arresting concept, but that sadly hasn’t been realized to its potential. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Rhea Srivastava, STARDUST : ...THe olly person I feel sorry for is Akshay Kumar because his name will be associated with this ugly flim, Fugly is bad that it does not even deserve that one star that is present in the title, half for the attempt.... full review

Thumbs down, by SUDHISH KAMATH, The Hindu : ...A silly, hackneyed rehash that lives up to the title ... full review

50 tweeters(?) - 13 yays 3 so-so 34 nays

ZarmeenCutiePie: Awesome movie,Big hit in boxoffice In Sha Allah,effective n bravo story i salut to the story writter men #respect #Fugly

vickyrathore389: Fugly nice movie & strong message public

varshaagnihotri: Loved #fugly! Go watch it!

Shivani1nazare: good bhaiya.fugly bahot acha hai

shalinivig: Friends please do step out n watch # Fugly! A brilliant movie directed by my buddy Kabir Sadanand! Much as I... https://www.facebook.com/shalini.v.wadhwa/posts/10152270482059818

PathanZp: Nw today is Sunday....enjoy sunday nd watch fugly movie nd holiday both are the gud nd watchable movies...

mymoviereviewIN: Fugly movie review: Akshay Kumar produces a powerful youth-centric and friendly film!

Just_Khan96: Fugly was really nice ..... the Rang De Basanti touched really worked ... scene stealer was Jimmy Shergil ... watchable ... 6.5/10

hemant3457: Fugly is a good movie

coolAbhidude: Awsome movie Fugli......what a story....

chillxfactor: Was skeptic about #fugly glad i went. Good one!!

captkarthikmn: Watched fugly. Storyline is good encompasing many 'small' things of society. Vijendra has done better than filmy family sons. Watchable!!

AfshaWedsVirat: Just watched #Fugly & believe me @mansha_bahl u were Fab. Typical bindass Delhi ki kudi! And @boxervijender pe dil aagaya ^_^ Well done :*

iamaninne: Movie for one time and one time #fugly Time pass movie hai boss...much was expected frm the director

geettsethi: Coming out of cinema hall: Movie to Thik thi par! Ye fugly fugly kya hai! *Does the Hand measurement step*

FilmyKeeeda: Saw #Fugly! A one time impression. Jimmy Shergill looked very good in his bad avatar. Nee comers were also impressive. Not a bad film :)

zalilahs: Literally i'm dying inside..everytime reading fancacc.. (fugly sobbing)

wicked_Meer: fugly interval,kuch maza nhi aaya yar,movie lgta h kuch aur bnana chahte the kuch aur bana di...story seems soooo unrealistic yar

vishjain61: Fugly naa dekhiyon.....mat dekhiyon!!

Vishal_FilmBuff: As predicted earlier.. #Fugly disappoints big time :(

ViKeAm: Catchy Title च्या नावाखाली भटकलेली Script/Story...... #Fugly

Urban_Stifler: Scripts of Salman Khan movies are as meaningful as the movie title 'Fugly'.

TiniePoe: Fugly fat and ugly.

surirahulsuri: Saw #fugli today..not so good.. 1 on 5

shivam_s: One of the most futile and repulsive films i have seen. #Fugly

samamayy: "Fugly is like worse than ugly that's fucking ugly" Omg no shit Rj

Salilacharya: Seldom has a 2 hr movie felt like it was almost 5 hrs long #fugly #yawn

rajiveranjan4: Film Review: Fugly – Ugly More Than Fugly

RahulrazFilmy: Watched #Fugly yesterday....... What a Bakbass film.

piyushrajpurohi: fugly is good movie and the best character in film is chotala the thulla

Ojasism: Watched Fugly today. Everyone should watch it. Not because its good or anything. But why should only I suffer?

Nivsworld1: Forced to watch #fugly though vijender singh is funny without trying 2 be. mohit marwah luks mre like a raymonds model than a poor delhi boy

nicky1587: ashamed even 2 put on social media dat i watched #fugli d movie...such a fucking bore it is

moviemaNiac06: #Review : While Fugly starts with good intentions,they get lost in its poor performances, messy script & excessively long run-time.#fugli

luvesh19: Yeh #Fugly #Fugly kya hai? Kuch nahi .. Chutiyapa hai

lins143: Fugly too bad

kamranrauf3: Fugly why so ugly :(

Jansatta: 'फगली' बुराई से लड़ने का घिसा पिटा तरीका...http://www.jansatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71036:2014-06-15-04-17-07&catid=16:highlight #Fugly #FilmReviewFugly #entertainment #bollywood

helga_fugly: Eating out of boredom

hala_madrid25: Bhaiya please don't watch Fugly! Plz

EkRebel: Fugly means fight the ugly/ fuck the ugly so let's fight & fuck the ugly film "Fugly" by not wasting hard earn money & important time on it.

duvesh1992: #Fugly is really a #Fugly movie, waste of monet

Dhawal_kumar: Yeh fugly hai pagli

curentbollynews: #Fugly dissappoints,#Holiday still doing well

Ciniguru: Here full #rating of this weekend - 1. #Fugly - ✭ ✭ ✩ ✩ ✩ 2. #ChalBhaag - ✭ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 3. #HowToTrainYourDragon2 -... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=605852269513275

atulkasbekar: #Fugly is a worth... For the intense Mohit @moh_m Marwah And a chilling performance by @jimmysheirgill who plays a nasty 'Chautala'

ArpitNext: fugly is totally time waste movie #fail

anands_69: "@atulkasbekar: #Fugly is a worth... ::: chutiya movie

akjaglan444: 'Fugly' review: The film is neither thrilling nor stirring.

aagejaao: Fugly is too bad. Walked off it half way. It's unbearable.

No readers have rated this movie yet.

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: Loads
  • Language: A few abusive words
  • Nudity & Sexual content: Prostitution is alluded to. An item number. Eve-teasing. Rape is talked about.
  • Concept: Four youngsters trying to set the system straight, by trial and error

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction:
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Lead Actors:
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Dialogues:
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Music Director:
Lyrics:

Fugly - Cast, crew, links

Screenplay:
Cinematography:
Background Score:
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Running time:
135 minutes
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Comments (4)

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That's a pity, Meetu, as this sounds like a potentially good and useful film, an entertaining way to raise social consciousness - like NO ONE KILLED JESSICA or RANG DE BASANTI.

I know "eve-teasing" is a topic that gets my wife, Tammy, very up in arms! Yes, women's rights groups in the US and Europe know about it and have been petitioning the Indian Government, our own Government officials who deal with India, and corporations with large Indian interests To Do Something about it….

@TimELiebe yeah, as we should all be.

No the movie tries to do that, but it didn't strike as anywhere close.

::Nods:: Thank you for telling me about that, Meetu.

I'm - not sure how Tammy (or some of the other women in our group) might react to a movie's handling of a topic she feels so strongly about….

OTOH - we do tend to thoroughly enjoy a lot of movies you don't like at all. :D We all had a blast watching ROWDY RATHORE - maybe because it's exactly the kind of go-for-broke masala that first made us interested in Indian films.

@TimELiebe Yeah, I know. Let me know what you think of it, if you end up watching it.

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