Movie: Total Siyappa
Director: E. Nivas
Cast: Ali Zafar, Yami Gautham, Anupam Kher, Kirron Kher, Sara Khan
Rating: **1/2
A film that was originally titled ‘Aman Ki Asha’,(Aman Ali-Ali Zafar and Asha-Yami Gautham are intentionally christened similar names), there would be little complaints from any spectator about its release with the label of ‘Total Siyappa’ especially after the amount of confusion put-forth into the story by E Nivas, owe this to his fluttering mindset when he intends it to be a mindless caper in addition to his desperation to portray the ‘burying the hatchet’ scenario between India and Pakistan .
The story is specifically about the need to think on broader terms while emphasizing the insignificance of religious and geographical barriers for the much-in-love souls Aman Ali and Asha Singh who plan to tie the knot sans much fuss on such matters. The makers had a challenge on their hands when they had to deal with a sensitive issue humorously and sustain its spirit in the meanwhile. The reactions when the family realises of Aman’s Pakistani origin is indeed true-to-life. Asha’s brother, Manav,a coward often, just needs one issue to take a dig on the neighbor country, much to the appreciation of his mother. She (Kirron Kher) too paints a stereotypical picture of a Pakistani to a terrorist almost rejecting her daughters proposal. Her grandfather’s principled ways as an ex-army officer lends more reasons to the unacceptability around.
There are quite a lot of awkward moments when in a typical comedy of errors phase of the narrative, Aman drops a frozen soup bowl off the window which strikes an anonymous person whom they consider to be dead, sadly due to the untimely fall. Just about time, the talks in relation to nationalities reduce and the ambiguity shifts towards unlocking the mystery behind Asha’s missing father (Anupam Kher) whom the entire family suspects of having an extra-marital affair. It is the first hour that primarily holds a lot of promise in spite of all the inconsistencies.
Most of the film’s momentum is halted in the latter hour as you witness many unnecessary elements and characters turn up out of nowhere. There are those occasional bursts of energy when Asha’s sister breaks into a song with Aman in stark contrast to the tension around. Anupam Kher has a commanding celluloid presence, but you can’t particularly get the over-the-top buffoonery on display when he roams aimlessly on roads unknowing of the crisis he is in. Scenes where the Pakistani neighbours and Manav’s group clash in front of the British cop are totally unwarranted. The maker’s turmoil is indeed reflected as he neither wants to part with his lighter tone of the film nor give in to the seriousness openly. The fresh appeal of the story thereby feels wasted. However, realising the limited scope of the theme and its reach,the director wraps up the proceedings in a convenient 108 minutes, which is a sure plus.
Ali Zafar works well in his confused lad portions. Places where he was bringing out his insecurities, suspicions in a vacuum-like atmosphere could have turned frustrating, but thanks to his stints in “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan” and “Chashme Buddoor”, which must have taught him the right lessons. Yami Gautham’s role isn’t quite surreal-like too but she responds to the requirements of her character fittingly. Kirron Kher entertains and amuses at the same point as she over-tries to portray the garrulous nature of her character. The music tracks are utilized to a minimal effect for a film whose production values are in accordance with its intentions. However, Total Siyappa is a tad too much of everything. Going into the theatres with modest expectations might help your cause.
Review by Srivathsan N, who had originally written it for Cinegoer.net
