A shallow plot, unbearable writing, path and uninspiring performances. This Raj Mehta directorial is a recipe for catastrophe. Abhimanyu Singh’s lone good effort in a goofy position ain’t sufficient to love this Selfiee.
Score: 1 / 5
By Mayur Lookhar
The American desi gynecologist assures the tremendous star and his spouse that their surrogate and the unborn is doing positive. He ends the video name by taking a cheeky dig on the actor’s final launch Don’t Indignant Me. “It was positive however extra on the massy facet, and fewer stylish.”
Vijay Kumar [Akshay Kumar] takes it in his stride because the physician is a pricey good friend. Nevertheless, subsequent second, he tells his spouse [played by Diana Penty] that had the physician continued, he would have pierced the pocket book display screen and punched him within the face. Vijay’s unaware that the decision remains to be on. Pat comes the physician’s reply, “Vijay, I can hear you”. An embarrassed Vijay reminds the physician that he was merely joking along with his spouse.
Class is over rated however the physician’s stylish /massy commentary mirrors the critics who’ve a nostril for realism, logic. Possibly, some stars would like to disregard the few honest voices. Nevertheless, even essentially the most ardent Akshay Kumar fan-critic would have a tough time defending the tremendous star’s previous couple of years in Bollywood. Give the person some credit score although as he sportingly admitted throughout Cuttputlli [2022[ trailer launch that he alone needs to be blamed for the rut. Akshay Kumar even stated that he needs to relook his choices, align himself with the changing audience taste.
A Vijay Kumar can afford to chuck the classes as he is God-like for the masses. We’re not sure if that is an option for the struggling Akshay Kumar. A Selfiee [2023] feels fairly private in few components but it surely does little to stem the rot for Khiladi Kumar, who continues on the trail of self-destruction.
The Malayalam authentic titled Driving Licence [2019] was cheered on by its target market. We selected to not watch the unique, thereby sparing Selfiee makers and Akshay Kumar followers of the comparative evaluation. Actually, if the core plot is identical, it doesn’t communicate volumes of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s authentic both.
Om Prakash Agarwal [Emraan Hashmi] is a righteous RTO [Regional Transport Office] inspector from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He’s a die-hard fan of Vijay Kumar. A dream alternative arises to fulfill his idol however sure unforeseeable occasions depart the tremendous star furious with Agarwal. Insulted in entrance of his little one [also a VK fan], Agarwal vows to carry the tremendous star right down to his knees. The fan has turned towards his tremendous star. Although harking back to Shah Rukh Khan’s Fan [2016], however Selfiee performs out to an altogether completely different tamasha (drama).
The ridiculous tussle throughout a selfie and a driving licence pans out into an insipid 143 minutes drama. Sure, the unforeseeable circumstances are accountable, however a bit little bit of widespread sense would have spared them the blushes.
Rishabh Sharma has tailored or actually aped Sachy’s authentic screenplay and turned it right into a Selfiee [2023] for the Hindi viewers. Rishabh and director Raj Mehta have mixed to offer one Good Newwz [2020], that was later adopted by the common JugJugg Jeeyo [2022] which itself was mired right into a plagiarism row. A Selfiee is simply one other addition to the checklist of horrible Hindi remakes of Southern movies. When will Bollywood be taught that not each Southern hit is worthy of a Hindi remake.
The foolish plot apart, the shallow writing, and common dialogues depart quite a bit to be desired. Few low cost dialogues, innuendos are a determined try to ring in humour. It’s weird how the occasions in Selfiee replicate poorly on the RTO, polity, citizen of Madhya Pradesh most of whom are star struck. Absolutely, the MP authorities, police, different RTO officers all can’t be fixated with the Vijay Kumar v/s Om Prakash Agarwal tussle. There’s Vimla Tiwari [Meghna Malik] the native politician who conducts herself like an ecstatic fan, obeying all command of Vijay Kumar. Sure politicians may be star struck, however why would any politician devalue herself in entrance of an actor? Malik does her act effectively, however within the course of embarrasses your complete Madhya Pradesh polity.
Media bashing has grow to be a norm, and sadly acceptable to the sycophant scribes. We’ve learnt to take issues in our stride, however when will Bollywood realise that they’re barking on the fallacious tree?
Poor Emraan Hashmi will merely be relieved to get a meaty position. Nevertheless, this Om Prakash Agarwal appears pressured on him. Right here is an RTO cop who arrives at a multiplex whereas on responsibility. He’s introduced his little one together with him. “Son did you carry the garments?”. The kid replies, “You suppose I used to be carrying books in my college bag?” Whoa! Such positive upbringing. Seconds later, Agarwal forgets that he’s on responsibility, wears a Vijay Kumar movie merchandise, climbs onto to an enormous hoarding to garland his idol. This type of fanfare would possibly nonetheless be evident in single screens, however a cop metamorphosing right into a fan throughout working hours is difficult to digest. Mr. Agarwal is a fortunate man to nonetheless be in job. Who wants critics? Agarwal’s colleague himself states that this man has not but matured.
Hashmi clearly appears to be like uncomfortable on this position. The MP accent solely surfaces in components, primarily noticeable when Agarwal is taking a Q & A Check of Vijay Kumar. This complete ‘driving licence’ quest is broadcast stay in Madhya Pradesh, and presumably many components of the nation. Agarwal’s colleague cheering Vijay Kumar, and later lamenting him for being too harsh on the tremendous star, reeks of fanaticism, and divulges his scant regard for responsibility. And when the followers flip right into a mob, it’s a recipe for catastrophe. It’s not the conduct of Agarwal or his colleagues, however what’s unbearable is the farce that’s handed within the garb of leisure.
Although not a loopy fan of Vijay Kumar, Minty Agarwal [Nushrratt Bharuccha] provides some worth to Om’s life and this story. The trouble although is elementary. What’s unacceptable is the insensitivity on a part of the director and the author to embarrass Om’s son at school. Poke enjoyable at adults, but it surely’s completely gross to disgrace a toddler in a inventive work.
Diana Penty has little to supply right here. Don’t blame the director for limiting her display screen time. Poor Adah Sharma has to bear the brunt of gassy humour. Mrunal Thakur’s particular look within the opening monitor does little to construct engagement. Nearly as good as she appears to be like, however the dancing is barely seen within the Kudiyee Ni Teri monitor.
What does an Akshay Kumar achieve out of this Selfiee? We’d be pleasantly shocked if it stems the rot. Akshay provides a private contact with Vijay Kumar taking delight in doing 3-4 theatrical releases a yr, couple of OTT movies, and the odd actuality TV present too. Akshay is entitled to hit again at his critics who imagine that he now provides solely amount, however much less high quality. Followers shall be forgiving of Kumar’s unhealthy selections, however vainness, ego is one thing that you simply don’t actually see from the actor each on or off the display screen. At a time when he’s struggling, this sense of delight in amount all of the extra sharpens the knife for his critics. Akshay is just not as listless as his earlier movies, however nor has he carried out sufficient to show the tide. With Selfiee, Kumar continues on the trail of self-destruction. There’s a sense of helplessness, and finally falling by the wayside by Vijay Kumar. Come on Akshay, you’re solely 30 years youthful within the trade.
The lone vibrant spot in Selfiee is Abhimanyu Singh, who will get to play a uncommon cheeky position. Suraj Diwan [Singh] began his profession alongside Vijay. They had been as soon as roommates, however future has delivered contrasting fortunes. Singh may have carried out with genuine prosthetic to disclose the bald patch. Right here is an actor who has paranoia over his failure, and envies others’ success. He consults a tarot card reader, so typical of forlorn folks in each area. Diwan has to endure unhealthy movies, tacky adverts however Singh regales within the chaos, insecurity and buffoonery of Diwan. Possibly, he subtly exposes the KRs and the KRKs of the trade.
Save for the Sher monitor by Vikram Montrose, the others flatter to deceive. The Foremost Khiladi Tu Anari (remake) track enjoying to the top credit score was maybe a late addition and easily used as a advertising instrument.
Essentially the most pertinent takeback from Selfiee is the scene when Vijay Kumar’s fuming producer Dheeraj slams a information anchor for working the #BoycottBollywood pattern. “Cease with this boycott. As it’s our movies will not be working, and you’re working this damaging marketing campaign”.
It’s the one second which maybe drew real laughter within the corridor. With all due respect, we remind Bollywood to cease barking on the fallacious tree. The viewers doesn’t really want our evaluations. Content material speaks for itself. The viewers has moved on from cliché content material, the ball is in your court docket. Somewhat than a Selfiee, the trade wants some severe self-introspection.
