India Lockdown Review: Prateik Babbar’s film is mundane and mediocre

Director: Madhur Bhandarkar Cast: Prateik Babbar, Saie Tamhankar, Shweta Basu Prasad, Aahana Kumra, Prakash Belawadi, and othersStreaming on: Zee5Rating: **1/2Timing and the content of a story are what sieve the wheat from the chaff and Madhur Bhandarkar fails on both counts as a filmmaker. We recently experienced a nationwide lockdown which was extensively reported on all media platforms, so there is nothing novel about this narrative. Also, presented as a macro tale, the representation of the trials and tribulations, fears, and frustrations seem tilted and lacks lustre.

While this film showcases themes like isolation, separation, governmental incompetence, and humility in the face of nature, it is a slice-of-life film that focuses on the lives of a wide range of ordinary characters who are neither interesting nor intriguing. Nageshwar Rao (Prakash Belawadi) is a cautious senior citizen stuck in Mumbai, while Swati (Hrishitaa Bhatt), his pregnant daughter in her last trimester, is in Hyderabad. How amidst the lockdown, he is forced to plan a surprise visit to his daughter forms his journey.

Similarly, how migrant workers Madhav (Prateik Babbar) and his wife Phoolmati (Saie Tamhankar), along with their children, undertake the arduous journey from Mumbai to their hometown in Bihar, forms their track. How Mehrunissa (Shweta Basu Prasad), a sex worker in Kamathipura survives, and Moon Alves (Aahana Kumra), a pilot who in a weak moment crosses the line with Dev (Satvik Bhatia), a college-going youngster in love with his girlfriend forms their part of the tale. Mumbai: Prateik Babbar, Madhur Bhandarkar visit Siddhivinayak temple ahead of India Lockdown release None of their paths are out of the ordinary nor do they intersect with each other’s path.

The writing of the film is mundane and mediocre. Every scene bears the indelible stamp of Madhur Bhandarkar, and it lacks class. The writers take a casual approach to the subject and thus present the characters in the same light.

Despite its light vein, the bawdy dialogues cater to a crass audience, and the word ‘lockdown’ is drummed so often that it becomes an irritant. The goodness of humanity is missing in the narrative, and the plot tilts toward sex and carnal pleasures, where some scenes appear forced and theatrically staged, catering to deprived souls. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ZEE5 (@zee5) The context in which the folks of Kamatipura are gorging on biryani, despite appearing frivolous, is repulsive.

It is akin to vultures feasting. While all the actors get into the skin of their characters, it is Prateik, Saie, and Shweta, who shine in their efforts. Equally impressive are Satvik and Zarin Shihab, who play young lovers waiting for an opportunity to lose their virginity.

Prakash is stereotyped playing the South Indian senior citizen, and Hrishitaa is visible only during a telephonic conversation. Overall, the film fails to leave an impact on the viewers. Director’s Cut: Madhur Bhandarkar reveals how he ended up convincing Prateik Babbar to act in India Lockdown.