‘Lafangey Parindey’ Just About Flies

Director: Pradeep Sarkar
Cast: Neil Nitin Mukesh, Deepika Padukone, Piyush Mishra, Manish Chaudhary, Viraj Adhav, Namit Das
Rating: ★★1/2

Nandu (Neil Nitin Mukesh) is a boy from the streets who is the prize fighter of a shadowy villain whose range of activities include organising fighting bouts and assassinations. Pinky (Deepika Padukone) is a girl from his neighbourhood who is called “dance bar” by the guys in the area because she is an artistic roller skater (yes, such a thing exists). The two are brought together thanks to an accident and some terrible CGI that has Nandu driving the car that hits Pinky and leaves her blind. Can Nandu rise out of the murky world of illegal activities in which he is embroiled? Will the blind Pinky be able to realise her dream of becoming a famous dancer? Spoiler alert: Yes they can, thanks to the television show India’s Got Talent.

Director Pradeep Sarkar’s film about these two kids from grubby Mahim who dream of respectability may not be a cinematic masterpiece—it’s entirely predictable and stuffed with Bollywood stereotypes—but as far as masala fare goes, Lafangey Parindey is watchable and occasionally enjoyable. The look of the film is not plastic and most of the actors are credible, with standout performances from Namit Das (who plays one of Nandu’s friends) and the little boy who hero worships Nandu. There are also some pleasant filmmaking moments, like the way Sarkar maps the passage of time using the different festivals that bring Mumbaikars out onto the streets.

Mukesh is believable as the fighter who hides a soft centre under his VIP banyan, although he does have a tendency to overdo the puppy-dog look. He isn’t helped by a script that doesn’t dwell enough on his character’s darker side. Also, we couldn’t help being distracted by how his hair, beard and eyebrows are all different colours. Padukone as the feisty Pinky is as photogenic as ever, and her acting is significantly better than what she’s delivered in past performances. Clearly not having to look your co-actors in the eye helped her immensely. Both Mukesh and she deserve kudos for having mastered roller skating. Just for that, and the convincing lip-lock at the end, they deserve an extra star.

Deepanjana Pal is a journalist and the author of The Painter: A Life of Ravi Varma. She is currently developing a keen appreciation for lazy brunches and coffee breaks in Bandra while working on her freelance assignments.