The 53rd Card. Review on Joker

I was bit shocked to note that though the release date of the film ‘Joker’ was coming closer but there was no attempt made for the publicity of the film prior to its release, which is very rare. The news of the lead actor and one of the co-producer of film Akshay Kumar staying away from the publicity was another shock. I also read somewhere that Akshay Kumar was not happy with the end result of the film as the film has not lived up to the expected standards, which was enough to minimize the expectations from the film, which was not a good sign.

We have seen and adored many science fiction products made in Hollywood, so the news of a film was being made in India, which was about aliens, did sound good. Shirish Kunder, who has earlier given us a dud ‘Jaan-e-mann’ few years ago, once again donned the mask of director besides writing & editing the film. The responsibility of huge as the big question was “will he deliver good with Joker?” Well, the controversies prior to the film’s release surely gave a hint of the answer but it would have been silly to write off the film without watching it.

Shirish Kunder has attempted to narrate the story of a fictitious village ‘Paglapur’, which unfortunately being in the center of three states, didn’t fall under the jurisdiction of any of the three, hence was completely ignored by these states and has remained undeveloped. Akshay Kumar, a scientist in USA has been working since two years on a machine that can communicate with the aliens, has been given one month’s time to show results else his project will be shelved forever. Akshay receives the news about his father’s illness and comes to ‘Paglapur’ to see him. Due to circumstances he decides to stay in the village and try to being the village to the attention of the government authorities. How can a village that has been ignored all these days attract attention of the people?

Shirish Kunder’s attempt as a writer fails because the creativity that can bring the village Paglapur to the notice of people does not connect at all with the project of Akshay Kumar’s machine that can communicate with the aliens. Actually, the film from the writing point of view is a big let down from the word go till the very end. Even though the film is only 105 minutes long as Shirish as editor has tried to chop most of the unwanted scenes to make the film watchable, the viewers are still left hunting for something significant to happen on the screen that can boost the energy level but alas. Though he did well to keep the melodrama away from the film that could have further deteriorated the taste of the film.

Shirish Kunder has tried to attempt too many things together because he is also the lyricist of the film and has managed to write below average stuff. Only ‘Yeh Joker’ has some meaningful words wher as others just fit the bill. Music by G.V. Parakash Kumar is kust ok because ‘Just you’ and Yeh Joker’ are the only two songs that entertains the viewers.

Photography is ok but the special effects are not good enough for a film that has the concept of aliens, because such films heavily depend on them.

Dialogues are not at all impressive. Only few one liners given to Asrani brings smile on your face.

Performances wise there was not much for anyone including Shrayas Talpade, Minisha Lamba, Gurpreet Ghuggi, Vindoo Dara Singh, etc. All are there just to be a part of the crowd. Minisha Lamba hardly spoke five dialogues; Shreyas spoke a gibberish language, which was fortunately understood by the aliens, who finally lands on planet earth. Though Chitrangada Singh scores with her dance moves in ‘Just you’ song. Sonakshi Sinha looks gorgeous in Western outfit and does her part well.

Director is like the captain of the ship, who has to maneuver the ship efficiently through rough weather at times. Shirish Kunder should watch some good films and then must work as an assistant with a good director before taking up his new assignment because he lacks the vision of a creator as a director. Though he might have ideas but to bring them alive on the screen is a different ball game altogether. He should watch ‘Joker’ as a viewer and should try to analyze what went wrong.

‘Joker’ as we all know is the 53rd card in the pack, which has no colour but goes well with the pack as the holder of Joker at times scores above all. But our Joker has been presented as a joker of the circus.

I feel sad for Akshay Kumar because this was his 100th film and much before the release of it, he knew the outcome. Though he has performed to perfection but even his diehard fans would be disappointed with the film to some extent.

There are only two things that goes in favour the film, one – the duration, second – the budget, which is not big that does brings a ray of hope to recover the price of the film.

Rating – 1.5 / 5 stars.