Review: AK vs AK

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AK vs AK like all Hindi film makes a good and sensible start and by the end of it loses steam and falls flat. But, it was nice to see Anil Kapoor in a different avatar and in grip of the things that he was doing. The Anurag Kashyap-Vikramaditya Motwane genre and typology to which Anil Kapoor fits in like a tee. However, the meta-mockumentary format is something new in Hindi cinema and that perhaps brings in a perspective to audience for the first time. 

Why does the film work: I think it works for Anil Kapoor and the genre of the film. Anil in a different setting and the genre which is new. Music lifts some of the scenes quite well and so does the background score. I loved Anil singing and the moments he shares with Boney are quite interesting (even though limited). Dialogues were spot on and helped in the initial part of the narration. 

Why does the film not work: Anurag Kashyap I guess. He seems too confident in the setting and even at the end where he reaches the dead end of the plot and perhaps the receiving end; seems forced. In  addition the plot by the end of it falls flat which was building well. Somewhere the director lost patience and left it to chance and fate. 

AK vs AK is a definitive film and therefore it might be good not to write it off. I remember Satyajit Ray in one his interviews to Marie Setton had said that Indian audience is not up to good cinema. But I guess Motwane and Kashyap are in a good time where the audience has evolved and therefore a cinema like AK vs AK is a bold attempt. It breaks the form and brings in a context. It also helps the audience think and wonder where the road leads to. However, I would think as film makers, all answers are not imminent here and lets leave it to that. 

Not a similar genre but a film that comes to mind is Being John Malkovic and how the director treated the last half an hour is indeed what makes the film reach greater height. And that is where it was best to leave AK vs AK at the end of it. 

We will hope to see more such innovations in the future. Till then lets watch Being John Malkovich.

AK vs AK premiers on Netflix. Go watch. 

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