The poster states, “From the director of ‘Iqbal’ and ‘Dor.’” Tall order to raise such expectations, for even if the films did not do well, they were quasi-masterpieces. 

Sadly, Nagesh Kukunoor who last connected with the audience in his debut film “Hyderabad Blues” and made so many messy misadventures like “8x10 Tasveer” and “Bombay to Bangkok” since (apart from “Ashayein,” which was decent but in no way audience-friendly), goes wrong here — terribly. In fact, calling this film his worst would not be too much of an exaggeration, simply because “8x10 Tasveer” was his mainstream attempt (and offbeat legends have failed to accomplish this task of making a nice mainstream success), and “Bombay to Bangkok” was meant to be a mindless caper.

Kukunoor pivots his story once again (after “8x10…” and “Ashayein” and so many recent films of other filmmakers of all hues) on a medical ailment. Abhay (Rannvijay Singh as adult) has been in love with school classmate Aranya (now Ayesha Takia Azmi), and so has his best friend, Andy. When Andy tells him that Aranya has told him to come back after 10 years, Abhay taunts him that he lacks all qualities needed for a girl to like a boy. He calls him spineless and more in fun, tells him to do a risky physical stunt to prove he is a man. 

Andy takes him on, and despite Abhay’s later pleas that he was joking, dies in the process. Since that moment, Abhay is unbalanced. Now a psychiatric case, Abhay thinks that he is Andy, and approaches Aranya.

So far, so sweet. This could have been a sensitive “Sadma”-like tale. But the director spoils things with a ridiculous plot progression and a stupid conclusion. Worse, he gets in too many angles and a few unwanted characters, with forced connections to the main plot.

Aranya is a hardworking multitasker. In the small cottage bequeathed by her mother (who has left her alcoholic husband) in a small but picturesque hilly town, she repairs watches and clocks and also helps out with her paternal aunt’s (Tanvi Azmi) restaurant at meal-times, mainly to pay off the loan her lout of a father (Raghubir Yadav) has built up. Their creditor is shop-owner Gangaram (Nikhil Ratnaparkhi), who likes her, so when Aranya falls in love with Abhay/Andy even after she comes to know who he really is, Gangaram turns nasty.

An estate developer is meanwhile eyeing Aranya’s house and plot as he is planning a huge resort there, and Gangaram, in cahoots with him, exerts pressure on her to sell the place. 

The film becomes more and more absurd (even medically) by the minute after interval; while the end (unlike “Iqbal” and “Dor,” we must say) is neither elevating nor moving. The camerawork (Chirantan Das) imparts a dream-like ambience, but obviously cannot compensate for the weak script. It is shocking to find Kukunoor unsure of what he is making, and a sequence where Aranya argues with the psychiatrist that she knows as much about Abhay’s condition as he does because she has read it on the ‘Net is meant to show her anxious zeal — but only raised titters in the audience.

The “music” is best not discussed. Ayesha and Rannvijay put it endearing performances, but it is effort is wasted. Ananth Mahadevan’s doctor is barely credible and comes across as a sad zombie with a mean streak, and Raghubir hams big-time. This is a “mod” (turn) best ignored.

Rating: **

Kukunoor Films’ & Shreya Entertainment’s Mod

Produced by: SUJIT KUMAR SINGH, ELAHE HIPTOOLA & NAGESH KUKNOOR

Written & directed by: NAGESH KUKUNOOR

Music: TAPAS RELIA

Starring: AYESHA TAKIA AZMI, RANNVIJAY SINGH, RAGHUBIR YADAV, TANVI AZMI, ANANTH MAHADEVAN & others