Aankh Micholi Review: Mrunal Thakur, Abhimanyu Dassani's film has enough gags but is low on energy

Aankh Micholi, starring Mrunal Thakur and Abhimanyu Dassani, is a relatively small-budget film and saw through its release with minimal promotions. However, film’s director Umesh Shukla is a reliable name. Having delivered pleasant, light-hearted titles like Oh My God (2012) and 102 Not Out (2018), Shukla has proven his flair in genre. Hence, for director alone, one might be tempted to give Aankh Micholi a shot and walk in with considerable expectations, despite practically zero hype surrounding it.

Hot Take

Aankh Micholi's humour is harmless and some of jokes do land in parts. But it’s also dull and devoid of energy in some stretches. Despite a lackluster final act, film is not entirely unwatchable.

Does Aankh Micholi live up to hype?

re was little to no hype around this film, considering it was long in making. However, a few names in credits warrant some excitement surrounding film. Aankh Micholi, more or less, lives up to its promise - that of being a modest, harmless comedy that works in parts.

Material is all farce

story revolves around two families, desperately trying to hide one particular shortcoming of ir to-be-married children which y are sure will bring wedding to a halt. While Rohit (Abhimanyu Dassani) cannot see during daytime, Paro (Mrunal Thakur) has night blindness.

Hereon, film revolves around how two families struggle to keep couple-to-be's medical conditions a secret and ensure y are married. film begins with a voiceover, claiming that audience is going to witness "most unique scam ever". However, Aankh Micholi lacks energy that is required to do justice to plot. re is also a strange Charlie Chaplin homage sequence towards beginning, which doesn’t quite land. That sequence, however, does prepare audience to some extent for farce that is supposed to come ir way.

It takes some time for narrative to settle down, but soon it becomes clear that Aankh Micholi is largely farcical in nature. re are a few gags that land and some that don’t. But most importantly, film sticks to its screwball tone. material at hand is a farce and to make it worse, Umesh Shukla doesn’t execute it with right energy.

A series of gags but little progression

Unfortunately, film runs out of its gags before it reaches its final act. That's when it hits you that Aankh Micholi was entirely running on small, humourous portions without a larger story. That’s all re is to this film - a series of gags, some amusing, ors not so much. re is little progression or build-up of tension, even when it comes to humour. In fact, it’s almost a miracle that Aankh Micholi holds our attention for so long despite so little going on for it.

It doesn’t help that film’s le actors don’t seem to have a comic bone in ir body. Mrunal Thakur and Abhimanyu Dassani are clearly weakest links in this comedy that hinges a lot on its performers to pull off some of most ridiculously absurd material.

Veteran actors save day

Eventually, it’s veteran actors who come to rescue. One can rely on Paresh Rawal for being understated yet atrical at same time. In eir case, he delivers goods. Abhishek Banerjee makes most of his part, displaying great prowess at slapstick. same can be said for Vijay Raaz too who lights up screen with his presence.

Sharman Joshi ends up being underutilised. Golmaal actor has got it in him but is clearly not getting big enough opportunities for a few years now. Both Sharman and Abhishek deserve special mention for rising above bland material.

Watch it or skip it?

Aankh Micholi elicits a handful of laughs and is not entirely unwatchable, despite its fair share of blind spots and shortcomings. film would possibly make for a better watch on OTT and does not warrant a visit to multiplex.

Bottomline

re are many things that are going against Aankh Micholi - a weak le pair, a low-on-energy execution and a shoddy last half-an-hour that derails film beyond redemption. However, film’s supporting cast saves day.  

Rating - 2.5/5 Stars