Duration – 147 minutes
Rating – 2/5
Director -Anubhav Sinha
Producer – Bhushan Kumar
Krishan Kumar, Anubhav Sinha
Writter – Anubhav Sinha
Screenplay – Anubhav Sinha,Sima Agarwal, Yash Keswani
Cinematographer – Ewan Mulligan
Editor -Yasha Ramchandani
Music -Mangesh Dhakde,
Anurag Saikia, Benaras Mediaworks
Starring- Ayushmann Khurrana, J.D. Chakravarthy
Andrea Kevichüsa, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra & others
Filmography – Aayushman Khurrana
1) Dream girl (2019)
2) Bala (2019)
3) Gulabo Sitabo (2020)
4) Chandigarh kare Aashiqui (2021)
Anubhav Sinha
1) Mulk (2018)
2) Article 15 ( 2019)
3) Thappad (2020)
Film focuses on an undercover cop with a mission to restore peace in the Northeastern region of India. It raises an important issue about the problems faced by people based there and the indifferent attitude of the centre to solve them. It’s a question to the political system as to why Indians are further classified as north Indian/ south Indian or north East Indian.
Plus Points
1) Production values are of good standards. Locations (Assam and Meghalaya) are beautifully captured.
2) Film has many turns and twists in the second half which keeps the audience interests alive.
Minus points
1) Aayushman Khurrana doesn’t look like an undercover agent. Why did he sign this film? Is it because the director Anubhav Sinha’s last film (Article15) did good business?
Ayushman’s films have not been well received of lately, either at the box office or OTT platforms (Gulabo Sitabo, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui and now Anek). He desperately needs to select a subject that appeals to the masses.
Amongst the other star cast, Manoj Pawha stands out. Kumud Mishra is wasted with the same expression throughout. Heroine Andera Kevichusa, looks quite authentic as per the need of the script, but her accent in the male gender is awkward and funny.
2) Director “Sinha” ka “Dus” nahi poore 22 Saal Ka “Anubhav” zero nikla yeh film dekh kar.
3) A thin story line, unlikely to appeal to the masses. Screenplay is horribly written. Film drags in the first half. Politics + sports didn’t blend well for an interesting watch. Dialogues are too, ordinary.
However, it’s a half baked. The locals issues are not well depicted. Also, no solution is suggested by the director. Since this issue is irrelevant on pan india basis, it would hardly connect with the audience.
4) Film is devoid of any entertainment. Pretty boring! There is nothing in the film to attract audience to the theatres. No comedy, songs, love, romance or emotions. Even action scenes are ordinarly executed.
5) It’s is too lengthy (147 minutes). Suitable for 30 mins documentary.
Box office
Film is not for the masses or class. Very selective few may like it. It will struggle to reach double digit lifetime collection. No clue what the creative and marketing teams were doing during the making of this film.
How is it that no one objected the producer for making this dull drama? After film completion, it’s the responsibility of the marketing team to sell it to OTT platforms (which specialise in buying any garbage of Bollywood), instead of going for theatrical release.
It’s strange that the producer decided to release this film after his last week’s release of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2..which is doing excellent business. Had Anek hit off superbly at the box office, the business of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 would have suffered.
It will be interesting to see whether Anek succeeds in beating the first day collection of film Dhaakad (50 lacs).
Review by: Narendra Gupta (Entertainment Journalist / Film Critics)
