It was very evident from the trailer of Bangistan starring Riteish Deskhmukh and Pulkit Samrat that the film will have secularism as its theme. And as expected, the film preaches humanity and universal brotherhood.


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Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, ‘Bangistan’ also features Jacqueline Fernandez in a cameo. The film which revolves around the lives of two “aspiring” terrorists is set in the backdrop of a fictitious country called Bangistan divided into North and South on the basis of religion.


Debutante filmmaker Karan Anshuman could have dealt with this predictable story with a profound message in a much better way!  The characters in the film belong to two different communities which have always been at loggerheads with each other. The director has made umpteen attempts to strike an emotional chord with the audience. But a conventional plot dilutes his efforts.


The reason why Hafeez Bin Ali/Ishwarchand Sharma (Ritesh) and Praveen Chaturvedi/Allah Rakha Khan (Pulkit) easily get incited to become human suicide bombers hasn’t been clearly established. The former works for a call centre while the latter is a wannabe actor. The two try to adapt to each other’s faiths, only to avenge! And here’s where there filmmaker has failed to give a convincing explanation.


The symbolic use of colours- Green and Saffron – hits you on the face after a certain point. Perhaps, there was no real reason to overdo the theme.


 


Riteish and Pulkit have played their parts well. But their performances get diluted as you are forced to wonder if this is the kind of film you would really like to watch, given the fact that it delivers a beautiful message.


The tactful use of the stereotypical aspects of religion is commendable but again, lack of humour that can genuinely tickle your funny bone, makes this film a sombre experience.


‘Bangistan’ talks about how religious extremism has butchered mankind and how humans are devoid of any humanity. Lack of gripping moments that would make you sit on the edge of your seat, make the film an ordinary one. And the climax is extremely filmy!


The distance between the ordinary and the extra-ordinary could have been covered had there been something “extra” than the regular stuff that we get to see in mundane films.


The crux of the matter is that Bangistan could have evolved on celluloid in a much better way, had the same concept been treated wisely. It would certainly make a good watch for kids who need to be taught the principles of humanity. But for those who seek entertainment, ‘Bangistan’ will turn out to be a complete let down.