A movie that I have been looking forward to being the Kunal Khemu directed film “Madgaon Express” starring a phenomenal cast in the form of Divyenndu, Pratik Gandhi, Avinash Tiwary, Nora Fatehi, Upendra Limaye and Chhaya Kadam. If you want to label a cast of underrated actors who rarely get the masses attention, well, this ensemble cast represents precisely that. The film focusses on three childhood best friends – Dodo (Divyenndu), Pinku (Pratik Gandhi) & Ayush (Avinash Tiwary). Years have passed and lives have changed but one thing hasn’t: their age-old dream of doing a Goa trip. They reunite years later and decide to take a trip to Goa, but what follows is a sequence of very bad decisions taken by three very luckless boys and unintentionally hilarious situations that you wouldn’t want to be a part of. The film takes us on a ride with these naive characters stuck in some of the most nonsensical circumstances which include police, gangsters and drugs. Getting right into various aspects of the film so that you guys can ultimately decide whether this comedic thriller is worth it or not?
Kunal Khemu’s story is routine, but it is his screenplay which makes it interesting and funny. The comedy quotient is so high that even the routine story gets a boost. Added to this is the colorful language used by the characters, which adds to the comedy. Kunal Khemu enthuses for his audiences’ oodles of laughter which keeps you rolling till the end. It is for the massively satiating entertainment they largely provide, are few hitches easily ignorable to naked eyesight. Strictly a multiplex oriented, youth inviting film, the older generation and the more orthodox audience might not enjoy the film. For the younger brigade, it is a true-to-its-word ‘comic caper’.
Divyenndu is a show stealer. With his character buying for itself all the juvenile, sleazy humor, it is he who gives you your money’s worth here!
Pratik Gandhi is splendid. His sense of timing is so brilliant that it’s a delight to watch him on the screen.
Avinash Tiwary does his role calculatedly, falling slightly short of Divyenndu and Pratik’s energy and vigor. Mostly adequate, he stays true to his stint and focuses his vision entirely on it alone.
Nora Fatehi was sidelined for the good in the film. Though extremely hot, her screen space was unduly cut short for the larger good of the story.
Upendra Limaye as usual, gets into the skin of the character and leaves an indelible mark in the mind of the viewer.
Chhaya Kadam does a fine job and enacts the role of Kanchan Kombdi with aplomb.
Kunal Khemu’s direction is focused and crisp. His handling of the comic scenes does justice to the script. As a comedic thriller Kunal Khemu squeeze out an uproarious gag. His dialogues are trademark Bollywood slapstick fun, but does it so refreshingly and wittily, that it scores heavy points for the film.
Songs could have been incorporated better however their picturizations are good. Sameer Uddin’s background music score is pretty effective. Aejaz Gujab & Vikram Dahiya’s action scenes are in keeping with the comic mood of the film. Adil Afsar’s cinematography is superb. Prachi Deshpande’s art direction is lovely. Anand Subaya & Sanjay Ingle’s editing is super-sharp.
On the whole, “Madgaon Express” is a laugh riot and is a must one time watch. It is an unabashedly crazy film with Divyenndu and Pratik Gandhi delivering super performances. Relegated into the premise, the film is an exuberantly hilarious laughter riot that shouldn’t be missed. Honestly, I haven’t laughed this much in a film since Lootcase. Take a break from all the morose things in life and catch this one, believe me there can’t be any regrets! I am going with a 3.5/5.
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