Issaq : Exclusive Movie Review

Thursday, July 26, 2013 Issaq : Exclusive Movie Review

Direction by Manish Tiwary

Produced by Dhaval Gada/Shailesh R. Singh

Music by Sachin-Jigar/Krsna/Sachinn Gupta 

Stars : Prateik Babbar, Amyra Dastur, Ravi Kishan, Makarand Deshpande & Prashant Narayanan

Movie Review by Sree Prasad Nair Theater – Grand Al Mariah Cinemas, Abu Dhabi, UAE 26/07/2013 – 1.15am Occupancy – 5% (Big Shock) 

Issaq is the second film of director Manish Tiwary after the not-so-succesful Dil Dosti Etc. Prateik Babbar is the hero of the film. Prateik made a fantastic entry with his first two films, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na & Dhobi Ghaat. 20 year old Amyra Dastur makes debut with Issaq. Issaq also stars Ravi Kishan, Makarand Deshpande, Prashant Narayanan, Evelyn Sharma, Malini Awasthy & Neena Gupta 

Story 

The story of Issaq is based on the famous Shakespeare play Romeo- Juliet! The story of Issaq revolves around the two lovers who are born to hate each other as their families are arch rivals of each other. Progressing as how they eventually fall in love with each other. An adaptation of Romeo and Juliet set in the backdrop of Varanasi in the UP heartland, complete with naxalism, sand mining mafia and of course the timeless love story. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet ends in tragedy. Will Issaq offer any hope? NO WAY!!! 

Negatives 

The problems with Issaq are countless. Agreed it's an adaptation of Romeo-Juliet play, still the story borrows heavily from last year hit 'Ishaqzaade', especially the basic premise of the film.There are too many songs (1 minute songs) in the narrative, one after every 15mins in the second half. The story refuses to move in the first hour itself. All that the lead pair does is talk, talk and more talk. With Prashant Narayanan making a dramatic entry, you expect some movement in the story. But no change! Climax is really predictable & very weak. Not only has it been stretched endlessly, even the connection to the story is powerless. Director Manish Tiwary is helpless with a poor script. He tried to compensate with superb visuals and locations of Varanasi. But nothing can compensate for a good content/story.The story of the film is not connected!

Prashant Narayanan is totally miscasted, infact wasted! The actor had terrific roles in his previous films like Murder2, BhindiBazaar & Yeh Saali Zindagi! But in Issaq he had 5-6 scenes/dialogues with 'Lal Salaam' most of the times. 

Positives 

The only saving grace is debutant Amyra Dastur. I'm not telling her acting is extra ordinary. But considering Issaq as her first movie, she is without doubt the real star of the film. This 20 year old got good screen presence and dependable performance that you carry home once the film has ended. A sincere debut!

Prateik Babbar's acting is good in parts. No where near to his outstanding performances, likes of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na/Dhobi Ghaat! Ravi Kishan is brilliant. Infact the first half belongs to him. Flawless performance. Makarand Deshpande, Malini Awasthy and Neena Gupta are okay. Evelyn Sharma is good in a limited role.

Cinematography by Vishal Sinha is very good. Dramatic value is excellent. Music is decent. Issaq Tera & Aag Ka Dariya are the best songs. Background score by Prashant Pilla is average.

Overall Issaq is a huge disappointent with only Amyra Dastur's acting as saving grace. But her brilliant acting can't save Issaq! At the box office film will be a sure shot disaster. 

P:S: Watch it for Amyra Dastur's acting 

Verdict - ISSAQ SUCKS!!! 

Rating - 2/5! Disaster!!! 

Box Office Prediction - 10cr This Reviewer can be contacted on Twitter : @i_spn : https://twitter.com/i_spn