Malang

wogma rating: Add to that never-watched 'To Watch' list (?)

quick review:

It's all over the place, and yet the mystery and the characters are intriguing.

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Director: Mohit Suri
Running time: 135 minutes
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Malang - Preview

The trailer catches you off-guard with its striking visuals, catchy tunes and the intrigue of a serial killer. By the end though you realise you might have more than one of those killers. Two? Three? Four? Every character seems to be blood-thirsty and over-doing their act to force that chill down your spine. And even so, it makes you want to watch the film once to find out what’s going on.

Malang releases on 7 February 2020.

- meeta, a part of the audience

Malang spreads its emotional and social wings too wide. It wants to cover revenge, fear, insecurity, love, loneliness, abandonment, and I am sure I have missed some. It also wants to cover a broad spectrum of social issues like sexuality, mental health issues, psychopathy, parenting, family, estrangement, and I am sure a few have slipped my memory. The gamut of themes spreads the film too thin over its basic revenge, mystery thriller drama. At the same time, the scope that Malang allows itself keeps it intriguing.

despite the hotch-potch of themes and interweaving of story-lines, the film’s structure doesn’t leave room for confusion

The story that ultimately evolves is convoluted and unconvincing. The treatment doesn't exactly land it as a zany, funky kind of convoluted that you don't care about it being implausible. However, each of the four main characters has layers that keep you hooked. This could be because you know you have committed only a couple of hours. Nevertheless, they keep you wondering.

On the mystery angle, though, why would the trailer reveal an aspect of the story, when it comes about only at the film's end? Malang might just have been a much better experience if you weren't waiting for a particular setting to show up, one that you saw in the trailer.

Fortunately, the actors are spot on. Each of them surprises you at some point with a nuance that you didn't expect from them.

The same can also be said about some of the music or framing of scenes. And there are even times when the music surprisingly and pleasantly syncs with the framing.

The most interesting bit for me though was that despite the hotch-potch of themes and interweaving of story-lines, the film's structure doesn't leave room for confusion. This makes the film a one-time watch on a lazy weekend afternoon.

- meeta, a part of the audience

29 reviewers(?) - 9 yays 10 so-so 10 nays

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

Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...Malang has many surprises in store. It is not the most perfect of films. But it celebrates its own imperfections in the same way that it celebrates its doomed protagonists’ fatal flaws. Everyone deserves a second chance. The way Malang combats destiny to give the lovers a second chance, is a story in itself.... full review

Thumbs up, Bollywood Hungama : ...The music of the film weak and a film like this ought to have super-hit music. The title track and 'Hui Malang' are the best of the lot and are well shot. 'Chal Ghar Chalen', 'Bande Elahi', 'Humraah' and 'Phir Na Milen Kabhi' lack repeat value. Raju Singh's background score is dramatic.... full review

Thumbs up, by Russel D'silva, Bollywood Life : ...Malang movie is another proud addition to the pantheon of Bollywood's revenge-themed films, told against the backdrop of a high-concept thriller. I'm willing to ignore a few of the film's flaws and go with 4 out of 5 stats purely because of how bloody entertaining it is.... full review

Thumbs up, by Madhuri V, Filmi Beat : ...The 'Malang' title track, 'Hui Malang' and 'Chal Ghar Chalein' are our top picks from the film's music album. Raju Singh's background score elevates the thrilling mood.... full review

Thumbs up, by Vishal Verma, Glamsham.com : ...ALANG is a bloodily frenetic rage, an outrage of emotions packed in a tight dark thriller that worships de noir tones and is brutally passionate. Having top notch acts from Aditya Roy Kapur, Disha Patani, Anil Kapoor and Kunal Khemu. MALANG sees Mohit Suri back to his groove and if you are a lover of dark, intense, action packed thrillers then unleash your love for such madness.... full review

Thumbs up, by Ambika Sachin, Khaleej Times : ...'Malang' is a movie high on style backed with a solid screenplay. The story might seem a bit predictable but there are enough twists and turns to keep you hooked. If you enjoy feasting your eyes on gorgeous people and have a penchant for thrillers then 'Malang' is for you.... full review

Thumbs up, by Umesh Punwani, koimoi : ...All said and done, Malang takes you from one ‘thrill’ to another without taking much time. The fast pace doesn’t miss anything important and manages to narrate an intriguing story without making you look at the watch.... full review

Thumbs up, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...The 134-minute movie benefits vastly from clever casting, Vikas Sivaraman’s slick and attractive cinematography, and a distanced approach to wrenching matters of the heart. It’s hard to feel anything at all for the travails of Advait and Sara, but it’s equally challenging to ignore their individual and collective beauty. We are invited to gaze upon their gorgeous bodies ever so often, and both Roy Kapur, who has acquired a newly ripped chest, and Patani, who shows off her perfect form ever so often, are up for the challenge.... full review

Thumbs up, by Harshada Rege, Times of India : ...Director Mohit Suri maintains a steady grip on the narrative for most parts. In this film, none of his characters are unidimensional, which makes them interesting. The film begins well with a power-packed action scene, and dives straight into the drama. What it does lack is a tighter edit and dialogues that could elevate the narrative. Though there are two interesting twists in the plot, they aren’t as big a surprise as they should have been, which take away from its thrill quotient. The music proves to be one of its strong points, especially the title track, which stays with you even after you leave the theatre.... full review

So-So, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...All-in-all, Malang is a flawed but entertaining product and would be especially liked by those who are fans of slasher flicks. The whole explanation about why the antagonist is the way he is is totally shambolic. A little more care in the writing would have turned it into a better product for sure.... full review

So-So, by Shubha Shetty Saha, Free Press Journal : ...This film would have been probably more enjoyable, if the style of the narration and the climax weren’t so contrived.... full review

So-So, by Sonal Gera, India TV : ...'Malang' is a one-time affair. Watch it for taking a mini-vacay to Goa (without taking the pain to travel), Kunal Khemu's stellar act, Aditya Roy Kapoor's brilliance, and for its potion-to-the-ears music. Skip it if you are an Anil Kapoor fan.... full review

So-So, by Shalini Sur, Movie Talkies : ...He is surely a treat to watch in this film. Kunal Khemu also gives a layered performance and is impressive in the film. Mohit Suri returns with an exciting plot that he manages to showcase well on the screen, but it is a bit too convoluted at times.The cinematography is commendable, but the editing could have been a bit more lucid, especially in the first half. The music in Mohit Suri's films are high points, and Malang is no different, with some great tunes but the lyrics are not memorable. Not all you see in this film will be able to convince you, but it makes a one time thrilling watch.... full review

So-So, by Kunal Guha, Mumbai Mirror : ...For a film being promoted for its soundtrack, what’s on offer is excessively jaded. What’s worse, the song Chal Ghar Chalein, played at least twice in the film, seems too suggestive and may help thin out the hall before the final credits roll.... full review

So-So, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...The two characters played by Anil Kapoor and Kunal Kemmu are far more intriguing than the young lovers whose sole aim in life is to untangle the knots on a dhaaga around the heroine's wrist - each knot denoting an inhibition that she must shed.... full review

So-So, by Rohit Vats, News18.com : ...However, all said and done, Malang is an entertaining film and delivers what the trailer promises. For 135-minutes, you can go ‘Malang’ (ecstatic).... full review

So-So, by Vinayak Chakravorty, Outlook India : ...Like most of Mohit Suri''s protagonists over the years, the characters of "Malang" are all temperamentally quirky and morally flexible, which makes them interesting to watch. The problem is elements of formulaic familiarity seem to have crept into Mohit Suri''s idiom of filmi fiction. From "Zeher" and "Kalyug" to "Crook", "Murder 2" and "Ek Villain", you have seen this patented worship of immoral swag once too often by now. "Malang" only gives a new twisted push to the idea.... full review

So-So, by Vaibhavi V Risbood, Pinkvilla : ...The film through and through carries signatures of Director Mohit Suri’s style of story-telling. It defines free-spirit with a concoction of sex, drugs, party, followed by murder, revenge and plot-twist. Watch it if you like Mohit Suri’s storytelling; Aditya and Disha’s chemistry or Kunal and Anil’s acting skills.... full review

So-So, by Saionee Chakraborty, The Telegraph : ...Not so ‘malang’. Just about maybe. A timepass weekend watch.... full review

Thumbs down, by SUPARNA SHARMA, Deccan Chronicle : ...Kunal Khemu makes good of a very badly written character and adds some zing to this dreary, pointless film.... full review

Thumbs down, by Deepa Gahlot, Deepa Gahlot : ...The film is stylishly shot and has a trippy vibe, so it is a pity that it makes so little sense—even less when the motive and true modus operandi of the murders is revealed. Malang aims at hip and edgy, falls into just plain ridiculous. The lead pair and the location are gorgeous—makes you want to hit the gym and then Goa… in that order.... full review

Thumbs down, by UDITA JHUNJHUNWALA, FirstPost : ...A whole lot of time is wasted setting up the story; far less is assigned to unravelling the mystery or providing adequate backstory to all the characters. It feels like misdirection to bring you into the world of Malang through Advait and Sara’s superficial, chemically assisted love story but place greater emphasis on the twisted minds of the cops in charge.... full review

Thumbs down, by Monika Rawal Kukreja, Hindustan Times : ...Watch Malang if you really must. It rides on the thrill quotient, has some good performances and a good looking pair at its centre but that’s about it. The plot ends up looking like a mockery of a subject that needed a better storytelling.... full review

Thumbs down, by Ankur Pathak, Huffington Post : ...And then there’s Anil Kapoor. A trigger-happy, dope-headed cop with a tragic backstory, Kapoor’s Anjaney Agashe could’ve been deliciously over-the-top but here, he’s been given lines that sound over-written and his performance is more gimmicky than genuine. While I’m convinced that this never occured to the makers, but the only way Malang resonates in the current moment is in its indictment of police brutality and the shocking ease at which state-sanctioned murders take place. But this isn’t a movie about that. It’s about going all the way to Mauritius and finding out it looks like a colour-corrected version of Goa.... full review

Thumbs down, by Divyanshi Sharma, india today : ...All the Anil Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur fans can visit the theatres to enjoy watching their favourite actors on screen. As for the others, you can gladly give it a miss.... full review

Thumbs down, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...This part of Malang is slick and fast and silly, a throwback to the slushy actioners that used to be a Bollywood staple at one time, and you wish it was the entire film.... full review

Thumbs down, by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY : ...It's a kickass, quick scene. It's there in the promo. That's what one sometimes wonders. Why can't some of these films be left at the snazzy trailer? I'll take that man. There should be a running script for a full, two-hour feature, too? Arrey, who says so. It's okay.... full review

Thumbs down, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...Around Malang's increasingly daft schemes and glaring superficiality, not just audience but actors appear to be losing interest too. Kunal Kemmu sees no point in trying after a while and does what everyone else is doing -- that is one more chiselled physique for the Malang roster.... full review

Thumbs down, by Kennith Rosario, The Hindu : ...The film is unintentionally funny at points, mildly clever in its second-half and there is a hint of pertinent discussion about encounters and justice within the system but all that is eclipsed by the multitude inane reasoning in the film, that gives you neither sukoon nor mazaa.... full review

Twitter reviews for this movie are not available.

6 readers - 5 yays 0 so-so 1 nays

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Aayush

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Ajay

Yay! Thumbs Up, by hop lyrics : one time watch movie

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Shiva Gopal : superb movie

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Tushar : This is movie is awesome

Nay! Thumbs Down, by InstaFinsta : too boring

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

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: Loads; lots of drug usage without necessarily bringing out that it is a vice
  • Language: Clean
  • Nudity & Sexual content: A couple of lip-locks. Bare-chested men.
  • Concept: Revenge
  • General Look and Feel: Is stylish intermittently, otherwise nothing that stands out in either direction

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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Comments (1)

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Amzing Moive..adithya's acting skill are damn high..on fire..

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