Pradeep Sarkar,surprised and impressed many veterans of the industry with his subtle sensibilities in "Parineeta". And after his debacle of "Laaga Chunri Mein Daag", he had to do something out of the routine to prove his mastery over the medium once again.

But after watching his latest movie, I was quite shocked and confused since it turned out to be a completely unexpectedly below average show from the talented director.

In simple words, LP proves to be the weakest film of its entire star- cast and the director, except KK and Piyush Mishra. The way a good concept has been executed on the screen is not able to convince. The script is highly predictable wherein everything keeps on happening so easily without any hassle or difficulty. And the most surprising factor is that LP lacks the real emotional depth which was in fact the forte of its director Pradeep Sarkar.

In support of my big disappointment from the movie, here are some points I would like to mention:

1. The whole film moves at the same lazy pace with no acceleration of any kind, despite of the fact that its climax is written around a famous Reality Show Finale.

2. Deepika loses her eyesight due to an accident and this serious issue of getting blind doesn't even get a single emotional scene where the truth is revealed to her. Deepika shows no repulsion from her side to her blindness and just starts practicing her skating again. It was indeed very shocking to see a serious issue of losing the eyes taken so lightly by the script writer and the director.

3. The moment Deepika accepts her disability and decides to fight back, the viewer can easily predict the complete movie till the end.

4. All the sequences wherein Deepika is being taught to learn the art of looking without her eyes are too easy to believe and digest. Besides this she also learns the tricks so fast, in just few days without any severe training given by some specialized master.

5. The reference to an ongoing reality show "India's Got Talent" remains the most ineffective part of the movie, in absence of any excitement or interesting nail biting moments. Further, the finale of the show featuring 3 guest judges,Shamaik, Juhi and Javed Jaffery is shot in such a childish way where the judges don't even get a single line to say and the couple is just assumed to be the winners. Moreover their trophy is also delivered to them by their friends in a different scene later on.

6. The computer graphics used in the accident and sound training sequence around the bells surely could have been much better in this big budget movie.

7. The movie finishes off on a very low note and leaves no impact of any kind on the viewer. Neither the audience feel emotionally connected to the characters nor they feel extremely happy for the couple on their grand win.

8. Lastly the film was highly publicized in the media as a thriller with some dare devil stunts performed by Neil and other bikers. But the stunts are hardly there and it cannot be called a thriller from any angle. Also along with its strange title, several other elements in the script like the boxing fight sequences, the underworld angle in the storyline and the characterization of Neil-Deepika's close friends remain tasteless as some half baked pieces of the cake.

Apart from these, the other two departments in which LAGANGE PARINDEY fails to impress are its performances and music. Choosing Neil as a Tapori was the biggest mistake of the casting team. Though he tries hard to look and speak like his character, but his overall personality doesn't permit you to believe that he is a tapori. Many of the readers, familiar with the Golden Years of Hindi Films would readily agree that using Neil as a tapori boy was just like using Pradeep Kumar in a role of a beggar. (The famous actor had the killer looks of a rich, millionaire person and nobody could ever imagine him in the role of a poor man.)

Deepika also tries her best to put up a good show but her over confidence clearly shows on the face which turns her otherwise OK performance into an average one. A blind girl portrayed by Deepika never gives you any signs of grief, discontentment and pain which seem to be quite superficial. Besides this, even after losing the eyesight, her fashion sense, her make-up and her body hugging outfits questionably remain intact, which the director tries to justify by giving her a close female friend.

The investigating officer & all the actors in the friend circle are good but they sadly don't get any meatier scenes to make their presence felt. So, it all comes to only KK and Piyush Mishra. But unfortunately KK is there for only 3-4 minutes and Piyush Mishra keeps coming after long painful gaps.

Musically the soundtrack is not as per the standards of a Pradeep Sarkar movie. I wonder why he didn't repeat his earlier music director Shantanu Moitra who did a nice job in both his precious movies.

Talking about the main story plot of the film, many viewers may find it similar to Rajesh hanna's "Dushmun",Gulzar's "Kinara" and more recently Anubahv Sinha's "Tum Bin".

In nutshell, the movie was indeed an unexpected letdown for me as I couldn't find Pradeep Sarkar anywhere in the film till the end. So, you can watch it if you are a fan of Neil or Deepika, but don't go for it expecting a high paced thriller from the director of "Parineeta".

What do you expect from a love story now-a-days? Should it be different? Should it be unique? Should it be one of a kind? But how many times have you come across a love story that is different or unique? You'd say none! I wouldn't disagree. But, Lafangey Parindey somehow doesn't go down as common love story. Okay, it's not different but it is not a million times seen love story..

She, a wannabe figure skater, cannot see. He, a bare-knuckles street- fighter, doesn't need to. But both Pinky Palkar(Deepika Padukone) and Nandan Kamtekar(Neil Nitin Mukesh) have their sights firmly set on a better life, a life beyond the mean backstreets of Mumbai. One Shot Nandu, as he is called, fights blindfolded every week for Satta King(Piyush Mishra) and lays his opponent low with one blow, always wins. Pinky, dreams of making it big by winning a reality show but an accident takes away her eye sight and then she is supported by Nandu to refocus her goal. Dekhne ko aankh nai keeda maangta hai. This is the lesson he gives to Pinky. She starts using her all sense organs to offset the absence of sight. Together they form an unlikely pair, but as fate had decided they fell in love and with predictable twists and turns they finally achieve their goals.

The movie is a predictable ride from the beginning, but the typical Mumbai lingo along with fine performances of specially supporting actors prevent you from looking at your watch and the ceiling. The first half is slow and little boring but the skate dancing in the second half is the saving grace. Many scenes do bring smiles and laughs during the movie.

Neil Nitin is evolving. He has done extremely well. Deepika is finally learning to act. This is her finest performance to date. Piyush Mishra is exceptional. As stated earlier, the supporting actors have done a brilliant job. Music by R. Anandh is good. Special note for the song Man Lafanga sung by Mohit Chauhan. Choreography is top notch. Bosco-Caeser are sure to get many accolades for the skate dancing in the climax of the movie. Dialogues by Gopi Puthran are hilarious. Action and cinematography are OK. Pradeep Sarkar of Parineeta and Laga Chunari Me Daag fame surely has attempted a very different genre this time. He doesn't succeed, nor he fails. The movie is perfect mixture of entertainment and boredom. Seldom you get bored and often you laugh.

To conclude, I would say go for it, if you are looking for a complete masala Bollywood flick and some brilliant skate dancing.

My Rating: 6/10

Thanks & Regards

"Lafangey Parindey" is a delight to watch. No because of its two bold and beautiful lead, but because it tells a very good story of faith,survival,struggle and love in a very simple and elegant manner.

Cast wise,I can't expect more.Special mention for Deepika Padukone.This gorgeous gal is just perfect for the role of Pinky Palkar,a blind girl with big dreams,but demoralized by the unfortunate turn of events in her life. Neil Nitin Mukesh plays One Shot Nandu and does it good. Maybe his stylish clothes, neat and clean accent and fairer than fair complexion makes us question his selection for a Street Fighter role,but One Shot Nandu's inner conflict with his biggest regrets and fight to achieve redemption is beautifully portrayed by Neil. And Piyush Mishra is exceptional as always.

What separates "Lafangey Parindey" from rest is the narrative raw material has been primed to yield loads of drama, some dirty dancing and a bit of daredevilry.Pradeep Sarkar pans his camera on these gritty streets and gullies of Mumbai and tells a simple tale of two free-spirited youngsters who believe nothing is impossible.He does not get preachy or patronizing in his storytelling in spite of his story being predictable.High on emotions, the film is more of a drama but comedy and romance too have their prominence in the script.

Overall,"Lafangey Parindey" is a human tale of risk and loss, and emotional victories. It is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Mumbai. Watch it for its earnest performances, real characters and sheer simplicity.

My Verdict: 8/10