Selfiee

wogma rating: Add to 'must watch' list (?)

quick review:

A different story, reasonably engaging too. Fleshed-out characters performed well. If only they had mellowed down the melodrama, it’d have been crisp and absorbing. Enjoyable if you can ignore the drama.

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Director: Raj Mehta
Running time: 145 minutes
Genres: Drama, Social
More Movie Info

You don’t want to meet the person you admire from afar, the person you are a fan of. Because you will see the real person. That’s what happens when Om Prakash (Emraan Hashmi), a common man with a government job, comes face-to-face with when he sees his lifetime hero, Vijay Kumar (Akshay Kumar), an extremely popular star. The image is shattered. Now, all of this makes Vijay out to be a villain and Om, the underdog, the hero. But, Selfiee does a lot with this premise. And most of it is enjoyable.

If only they had toned down the melodrama, the slow-mos, the build-up to every part of the film.

The battle of wits, self-respect, and egos plays out like it would in an action thriller or a sports film. A sports film in which the underdog seems to have the upper hand for a good portion of the film, and not just the climax.

The real beauty though is the simplicity of the bone of contention. The number of things that make for the mountain that this molehill turns into covers a lot about life today. From media’s loudness to media trial. From the star culture in the Hindi film industry to the fans that are the cause and effect of that pedestalising culture. From the mutual scoffing of the massy and the classy that in turn, sort-a translates to a film having a producer’s actor versus having a director’s actor. From faith to blind faith. From boycotts to using stardom to sway the common man. From a lesson on idealistic civic sense to a reality check.

In covering this range, the film doesn’t seem like it is taking on too much in its plate. And neither does it let go of the grip it has on its main story. The foreshadowing of a major twist in the film is done with finesse. Other than that, we also have actual conversations between people making the do believable. These conversations are admirable just because they exist; just because they are so rare in Hindi films.

And of course, Akshay Kumar is comfortable in his skin because he’s being himself. Not his reel star self, but what he might be in real life, the star. His dedication to his fans comes across as sincere, cementing the fact that he’s done a fine job of acting ;) Emraan Hashmi makes for as adorable a fan, as he is dedicated and hurt a father. His accent is cute too. The other actors are either caricatures or have little to do. And most of them carry bright deep pink so well!

If only. If only they had toned down the melodrama, the slow-mos, the build-up to every part of the film. If only, this would have been a film I would recommend wholeheartedly.

Even so, it is nice to be taken by surprise when you go in thinking you are going to watch something kitschy, repetitive, and well, a producer’s dream. But come out watching a relatively sober, delightfully novel, and a strong story.

- meeta, a part of the audience

15 reviewers(?) - 6 yays 4 so-so 5 nays

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

Thumbs up, by Rima Bhatia, Bolly Spice : ...Would I go watch it again, probably not. There are plenty of standout moments in the film that stand alone in themselves, but it was a tad to long for me. Go watch it if you are not tired of watching Akshay do remakes of South Films, it is worth a onetime watch, and you won’t regret it.... full review

Thumbs up, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...Watch the film for the interplay between Akshay Kumar and Emraan Hashmi, as well as for the comedy and the inside jokes. Akshay is sorely in need of a hit, and let’s hope Selfiee, his most meta film as yet, manages to start the new year on a high note for him.... full review

Thumbs up, by Lipika Varma, Free Press Journal : ...All in all, Selfiee is at least a one-time watch. It has all the ingredients needed for a film to click at the box-office.... full review

Thumbs up, Hindustan Times : ...Talking of chemistry, I rather liked the song Kudiyee Ni Teri Vibe where Akshay grooves with Mrunal Thakur and the two set the screen on fire. Even the remixed version of Main Khiladi Tu Anari that comes in the end credit is a sure shot party number and not to be missed.... full review

Thumbs up, by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu : ...The talented support cast adds to the fun. Meghna Malik is an absolute hoot in the role of a local politician desperate to use star power to push her career. Nushratt Bharuccha displays the excitement of a middle-class wife in the right measure. Cast against type, Abhimanyu Singh exudes the frustration of an aging actor in a fun way.... full review

Thumbs up, by Dhaval Roy, Times of India : ...Overall, Selfiee is an easy-breezy watch, with some good performances and several laugh-out-loud moments. If you're looking for a rib-tickling comedy over the weekend, this one could be a good pick.... full review

So-So, by Shalini Langer, indian express : ...But then Selfiee comes in the wake of at least two incidents involving celebrities, who were hounded and almost manhandled by fans seeking to be photographed with them. So who says that in a world where the self is instant selfie, we have grown up?... full review

So-So, by Sameer Ahire, Movie Talkies : ...You have Akshay Kumar, the king of the comedy genre, so we expect something really high-class. Not something mediocre like Selfiee, and definitely not a remake. I hope my voice reaches you and you and Akshay Kumar both come back stronger. For now, Selfiee remains an average stuff. In sarcastic language, aka Kataksh, “This Selfiee is Blur“.... full review

So-So, by Himesh Mankad, Pinkvilla : ...Selfiee is a one time watch that has entertaining elements in the first half with drama taking over in the second hour of the film. Watch it to get the shades of the witty Akshay Kumar side by side a sincere Emraan Hashmi. The Raj Mehta directorial has promising moments at regular intervals, but certainly warranted a better and tighter second half. The film's theatrical prospects will be limited as the conflict appears to be too small for a big screen watch in today's enviornment.... full review

So-So, by Pratikshya Mishra, The Quint : ...At the end of the day, too many slow-motion shots and what ends up being a medley of fragile male egos drags the film to a runtime that almost makes the audience impatient. Beyond the two protagonists, barely any other character gets enough substance to be noticeable.... full review

Thumbs down, by Abhimanyu Mathur, DNA : ...The film tries to entertain but in the safest and most market-friendly way possible. It props up on the shoulders of two likable stars and a decent plot but never dares to give the audience anything new or something they haven’t seen before. Watch it only if you are an Akshay or Emraan fan!... full review

Thumbs down, by Prathyush Parasuraman, Film Companion : ...The star becomes a harried everyman, and the fan acquires reluctant fame. At some point om all but spells it out: He can't even go to the liquor shop without worrying for the safety. It's a pity the rest of the struggles to supply - and smile at the symbolism of its title. I felt as a unsatisfied viewer. But at least I came out a better driver.... full review

Thumbs down, by Deepesh Sharma, India TV : ...Talking about the female leads, neither Om Prakash's wife Minty (Nushrratt Bharuccha) nor Vijay Kumar's partner Diana Penty had much to do in the film. They were not even given much screen time. The hottest figure in Selfiee has to be Mrunal Thakur... full review

Thumbs down, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...With none of the characters allowed to evolve, Emraan Hashmi is compelled to struggle to create his space in the film. He does occasionally manage to rise above the din - the ear-splitting background score contributes to the decibel level - despite the odds being heavily loaded against him.... full review

Thumbs down, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...Even more miscast than Hashmi is Abhimanyu Singh, reduced to a buffoon whose endorsements for obscure brands is treated with snobbish disdain (if Amitabh Bachchan can model for hair oil and cement…). The cast includes Diana Penty, as Vijay’s wife, Nushrratt Bharuccha as Om Prakash’s spouse, and Mahesh Thakur as Vijay’s manager. Meghna Malik plays an obsequious local corporator whose love for selfies inspires Om Prakash on his own misguided mission.... full review

Twitter reviews for this movie are not available.

1 readers - 0 yays 1 so-so 0 nays

So-So, by Raj : Please STOP remakes...

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

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: Action sequences in a film shooting within the film, stones thrown on a house. A mob getting violent against one person.
  • Language: Clean
  • Nudity & Sexual content: None.
  • Concept: The dynamics between a celebrity and his fan.
  • General Look and Feel: Slick, yet simple

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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Selfiee - Cast, crew, links

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Running time:
145 minutes
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Comments (2)

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Raj

Dear Meetu,
Nice review
Again a remake..!
I just wonder when this is going to stop?
Looks like CREATIVITY has totally taken a back seat.

@Raj good to see you back! Like they say, there are only 7 original stories in the world :D

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