'Sandeep Aur Pink Faraar’ movie review: Arjun Kapoor-starrer fails to make an impact

'Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar' has been directed by Dibakar Banerjee

Director: Dibakar Banerjee

Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav

Rating: 1.5/5

Director Dibakar Banerjee’s latest movie Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar is a mediocre attempt at storytelling that fails to live up to expectations. The film revolves around two strangers who develop a bond with each other following a shocking turn of events. The basic premise is quite ordinary and does not really offer anything new or fresh.

Its impact is further diluted by the convoluted screenplay, which fails to establish the world of Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. The film needed a linear narrative as opposed to a partly non-linear one. The lacklustre chemistry between the lead pair—Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra, dilutes the ‘shock value’ associated with the intense scenes. This makes it really difficult for the viewer to take an interest in the reel action.

The pacing is another issue especially in the first half, a sin for a thriller.

The track involving Raghubir Yadav and Neena Gupta, however, is better than expected and is likely to click with those who liked the vibe of the director’s popular film Khosla Ka Ghosla. The scene involving Parineeti and her ‘tormentor’ too hits the right notes with its intensity. The climax is along expected lines.

Arjun fails to make much of an impact as he is burdened with a one-dimensional character, which is unlikely to find wide patronage. Parineeti too falls short of the expectations but fares a bit better than the Ki and Ka star. Raghubir and Neena make their presence felt despite not being ‘the stars’ of the movie. Jaideep Ahlawat, who rose to stardom with the web series Paatal Lok, is underutilised and deserved a meatier role. The supporting cast is strictly okay.

The cinematography is one of the few positives of Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar and sets the mood of the film. The background music is as underwhelming as anything can be and does not add much to the narrative. The other technical aspects are decent.