Movie Review: Lafangey Parindey

Expectations are soaring high when the Yash Raj banner brings a film on the silver screen as this reputed banner has a history of successes in its kitty. Lafangey Parindey through its promos has generated quite some buzz as the Dilwale Dhulaniya Le Jayenge to Hum Aapke Hain Kaun dialogue has become quite famous amognst Bollywood buffs. But does the film live up to the high expectations anticipated by a Yash Raj film? Can the newly made pair Neil and Deepika win the hearts of audiences as an onscreen couple?


This is a story set in a small 'vadi' or colony with very rustic language taking us into the lives of Pinky (Deepika Padukone) and Nandu (Neil Nitin Mukesh). Pinky is a girl full of dreams who wants to get out of the locality she has been born and brought in through her amazing talent in dance. Dancing on skates, Pinky hopes to win her passport out of her small colony through this passion of dance that keeps her going. Nandu is a one-shot boxer in a gang under Usman bhai and he happens to live in the same colony as Pinky. Life changes for both the central characters when Nandu while driving accidentally runs over Pinky. The world thinks that Anna, the criminal accompanying Nandu that night was the cause of the accident, but no one is aware of the fact that Nandu is the one responsible for the accident.


Pinky after the accident has not only lost her vision but also her dreams. Nandu through a common acquaintance befriends Pinky in order to make up for his wrongdoing. Soon Nandu starts teaching Pinky how to see again by giving her lessons about the other senses such as hearing, touching, smelling, etc. The two start falling in love with eachother as Pinky works towards her dream of participating and winning a reality show called "India's Got Talent". Pinky is unaware that Nandu was the man behind her accident and she starts trusting Nandu so much that she chooses him as her partner for the show. Nandu learns skating and dancing for his ladylove but with the guilt that he is the one behind her blind eyes today. The story slowly unfolds as Pinky finds out about the true culprit behind her accident in the midst of the finals for the show.


Lafangey Parindey entertains with an 'expected' Bollywood story line. There aren't many twists and turns in the film and the screen unfolds just the way any Bollywood moviegoer would guess. The climax with Nandu and Pinky's final performance for the finale is somewhat unrealistic as though the couple does a good job, it just does not seem to be a performance that would be the winner of a reality show. Their previous performance in the selection process was also flawed as Nandu falls so one is forced to wonder how they even got selected. But this is a Bollywood film and thus the hero and heroine have to be selected for the film to move forward.


While the story line is average, the true ace in Yash Raj's Lafangey Parindey is the excellent dialogue writing. The dialogues are strong and touch one's heart. From the comic to the emotional, the writing is par excellence and gives life to the characters. The tapori language manages to make the audiences smile as well as feel the pain of the central characters. Songs are situational and blend well with the film, especially the title track 'Lafangey Parindey'.


From Rani Mukherjee to Kajol, many actresses have enacted the role of a blind character on screen and thus Deepika has a tough job when it comes to winning the hearts of audiences with the character of Pinky. And Deepika is extremely successful in accomplishing this task as she connects with the audience and naturally flows into the character of Pinky. Her realistic portrayal of the character and strong command on her dialogues containing rustic language, bring life to the character. By far, Lafangey Parindey is Deepika's best work thus far.


Neil, on the other hand, is good but he could have been better. At times, Neil feels expressionless and one wishes he would emoted more so that his character could connect with the audiences better. Deepika surely overshadows Neil but together these two come across as a good pair in the film.


Overall, Lafangey Parindey is not a perfect film but it does entertain. Metro audiences and college going students are sure to catch this film in theatres while the film may or may not work in the international markets. Overall Lafangey Parindey is a decent entertainer that has a good amount of laughs, emotions, and very well written dialogues!


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Writer & Editor: Dolly Tilani Bhatter