Nikhil Advani presents debutante Ranjit Tiwary’s Lucknow Central.
Apparently based on true events, the film is the story of how an inmate, falsely accused of a murder, tries to set up music band in Lucknow Central Jail.
Honestly, a film about a music band in a jail deserved to have better music to start with. This is one of the first flaws of the movie. Poor editing is the second drawback. It seems too long and honestly past a point, doesn’t enthuse you at all.
The subplot of it being a jail break, never gets you hooked on, so in the end you don’t feel anything for any of the protagonists either ways. When the inmates get parole and realise that they are mere outcasts in their familiar set up, is the only point where you feel anything for the characters, brilliantly portrayed by Rajesh Sharma and Deepak Dobriyal.
Farhan tries to get into the skin of the character, but fails to a certain extent. Besides the fact that the film suffers from poor writing, Farhan’s Kishen doesn’t appeal to you.
Ronit Roy as the cynical jailor, again delivers a brilliant performance, but is let down by mediocre writing again, making him more of a caricature rather than menacing.
Diane Penty, Inamul Haq, Gippy Grewal, Ravi Kishen are all decent.
If you have nothing to do on the weekend and have to catch a film, then go ahead, otherwise this one can be avoided.
RATING: 2/5
By: Yusuf Poonawala
