Movie Review: Mukkabaaz

October 15, 2017 0 By Fried Eye

By Prakash Khetpal

Anurag Kashyap brings a punch true to its genre where right from performances to writing, one-liners to motivational lyrics, music to background score, from fear factor to the moment of victory; Mukkabaaz roars. In victory lies failure; in failure lies victory.

A story inspired by true events and facts; keeps you intrigued to the plot unfolding events. Mukkabaaz brings a lot of hakka-bakka moments. Jimmy Sheirgill is the super Mogambo of the film, one who never gets an opportunity to say “Mogambo khush hua”! With every defeat, he turns meaner. He comes as a great menace and you love watching him. This is one of his best performances till date where he manages to pack a punch, without ever really throwing on physically. High on ego and cruelty, and an unforgiving character, Jimmy appears a satan even as he plays Bhagwan! Yes, that’s his name in the film and you will literally wait for him to come on screen. He gives everyone a bad time, except, of course, the hero!

The hero, Vineet Kumar Singh, has only gotten better since his last class act in Bombay Talkies. This is a film that puts him right out there, showcasing how good content can make you shine brighter. He gets everything right – the attitude, the physique of a boxer and of course the brawl that he gets into. He is marvelous as Shravan, who talks back to parents and knocks his boss down. The hero that emerges is very interesting indeed. And this is where Anurag Kashyap stamps his signature. Mukkabaaz comes as a real hardcore Anurag Kashyap film – fearless, rustic and in its soul is a strong Indian story.

Zoya Hussain’s screen presence is brilliant. She emotes and speaks through her eyes; her persona is strong and her character stands strong in spite of the plot where you will find men ruling the game. Ravi Kishen is in the skin of his character; playing a coach to Shravan. He impresses you with his diction, his screen presence.

Anurag Kashyap with Mukkabaaz doesn’t just take you inside the boxing ring; he gives you a true flavor of the dark truth. India is a nation where a film on boxing will make Rs 40 crores but when the actual tournament happens, it is a challenge to bring in 4000 people to watch a match! He succeeds in showcasing, that the real fight starts much before you get into the ring. The real fight lies outside, and you make it to the ring only once you win that. He draws on screen the socio-political pressures that turn hindrances in not just your game but in personal life as well.