Yahoo Movies Review: Wazir

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar, Aditi Rao Hydari, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Manav Kaul

Direction: Bejoy Nambiar

Rating: ***

Armed with a strong script and a stellar cast, Bejoy Nambiar doesn’t quite do justice to this story. The intensity of this revenge saga seems a tad diluted by the rest of the happenings.

Pandit Omkarnath (Amitabh Bachchan) and Daanish Ali (Farhan Akhtar) become friends under incredibly tragic circumstances. And it’s a pleasure watching Senior Bachchan and Farhan Akhtar play out the dynamics of this complex relationship. They seem completely connected having suffered the plight - their friendship is as binding as much as it is liberating for the both of them.

It is the obligation that Daanish feels towards Panditji that makes this story intriguing. It is as if by shielding his vulnerable friend and trying to avenge his daughter’s death, Ali would find his own redemption.

While they share an easy camaraderie and it’s easy to understand their bond, too much time is spent on resolving the misunderstandings between Daanish and his wife Ruhana. Where we could have done with quick resolution, a superfluous romantic number just slackens the pace of the narrative.

Amitabh Bachchan and Farhan Akhtar are both in top form and make the film immensely watchable. While John Abraham shines in his bit role, Neil Nitin Mukesh completely hams up his cameo.

A film like this needed the director a tight grip on the screenplay, faster cuts and a pace that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Even with a runtime of less than two hours, the film feels too long for a thriller.

‘Wazir’ could have been brilliant but, alas, it’s a wasted opportunity.

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