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If you were hoping for the Imtiaz Ali who redefined romance, prepare to be profoundly disappointed. His latest directorial, Main Vaapas Aaunga, is a tedious, three-hour endurance test that leaves you wishing you had never walked into the theater in the first place. It is not just a film; it is a masterclass in self-indulgent writing that prioritizes the director’s ego over the audience’s experience.
A Hollow Romance devoid of Chemistry
The heart of any Imtiaz Ali film is its love story, but here, it is a corpse. The lead pair, Vedant and Sharvari, share zero chemistry—it’s so robotic that you could easily mistake them for siblings. Their performances feel like they are simply reading lines they’ve memorized, devoid of any genuine spark or passion. There is no build-up, no “hook” that makes you root for them, and certainly no nostalgia to hold onto.
A Narrative Mess
The film’s structure is equally atrocious. The editing is disjointed, constantly cutting between scenes in a way that prevents any emotional connection. Even the legendary Naseeruddin Shah, who carries the film whenever he is on screen, is constantly interrupted by jarring cuts to the uninspired leads. Furthermore, the plot feels like a relic from the early 2000s; while it tries to tackle cross-border themes, it lacks the urgency or freshness required for today’s cinema. Even A.R. Rahman’s music fails to lift the film, with not a single memorable track to be found.
Final Verdict
The only thing that saved this experience was the luxurious comfort of the Devgan Cinémax in Thane—a five-star experience that stood in stark contrast to the film being projected. As a long-time admirer of Imtiaz Ali’s work, it is disheartening to see him deliver such a mediocre, boring product. While I truly hope the film finds its audience and succeeds at the box office for the sake of the industry, as a viewer, I left entirely unsatisfied.
- Rating: 1.5/5 stars
