Fukrey

Rating : 7/10
Release Date : 14th June, 2013
Time : 137 minutes
Director : Mrigdeep Singh Lamba; Writers : Vipul Vig; Music : Ram Sampath
Starring : Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh, Ali Fazal, Richa Chaddha, Pankaj Tripathi, Vishaka Singh, Priya Anand



Weird dream sequences which result into lottery numbers. A good for nothing kid who’d failed in the 1st standard. And then thrice again in the XIIth. Another who’s prayer sessions in a Gurudwara usually result in something being stolen off his bike parked outside. A college gatekeeper who has his fingers in many pies. A gangster babe who runs many rackets.

Fukrey is a film set in and celebrating Delhi, its Punjabi sense of humour, the jugaad ability and never say die attitude of its denizens while living in the cramped mohallas.

Pulkit, the kid who failed the 1st, was given company by his childhood friend, Varun, while failing the XIIth. Both now need money to buy the XII std exam papers to fufil their dream to enter Bishops, a nearby college.

While on the topic of dreams, Varun specializes in exceptionally weird ones. Usually involving Pulkit being in all sorts of trouble (there’s one where he is trying to bite himself, like a dog trying to bite its tail) and Varun coming and rescuing him. These dreams, the ones that Varun does remember the next morning, are interpreted by Pulkit the next morning and then distilled into a lottery number. And they never lose. Now they want an investor to bankroll them so that they can win big and buy their way into college.

Joining them is Manjot, a sweet boy who’s father runs a sweet shop, also desperate to get into the same college. And Ali, who studies in the college but is desperate for money due to his dad’s illness. Their official advisor is the college gatekeeper (Pankaj Tripathi) and their bankroller is Richa Chaddha, a feisty, foul mouthed gangster who is into all things nefarious.

The film is laced with funny, genuine, heart-warming moments. Manjot’s specific appeals to the Guru in the Gurudwara and the reaction of the kid sitting next to him. The non-sequitur responses of the passerby whenever something is stolen from the bike. Varun’s dreams and overall idiocy. Pulkit’s self-confidence and jugaad. Kite messaging. The Sinderella tattoo. The ‘Contact Us for Love Marriages’ sign. The excellent soundtrack.

However, the film is a bit unevenly paced. Sometimes slow, picking up dramatically and then slowing down again. The second half is a bit farcical at times with the end not going down the gullet too easily. Priya and Vishaka both have limited roles and the whole angle of the drug addict thief didn’t make sense. Everyone acts well (Ali a tad too mournful throughout the film) but Varun was the pick of the lot.

There is more going for the film in terms of its characters and style of story-telling rather than the story itself. Its a fun ride as long as you don’t care about where you land…