‘Kaamyaab’ Movie Review: Sanjay Mishra’s emotional ode to ‘side actors’ is sure to make you teary-eyed

Directed By
Hardik Mehta

Produced By
Gauri Khan, Manish Mundra, Gaurav Verma

Cast
Sanjay Mishra, Deepak Dobriyal, Isha Talwar, Devas Dixit

Bollywood Bubble Rating
What’s It About
‘Kaamyaab’ is the journey of Sudheer, a washed-up side actor from the heyday of Bollywood. Years after his retirement, he realizes that he ‘retired’ on the verge of accomplishing a unique record. He decides to come out of his retirement to complete the round figure of 500 and get that one substantial role for which he will be remembered forever. ‘Kaamyaab’ (English title: Round Figure) features veteran actor Sanjay Mishra who himself has played typical side roles in many Hindi movies and with this film he gets a titular role like never before. Will he be able to draw parallels from his own life and complete the round figure of 500? Will that be remembered for ages? Well, for that you’ll have to watch the film.

Check Out Sanjay Mishra & Hardik Mehta’s Interview:

What’s Hot
Need I even say that Sanjay Mishra was spot on in ‘Kaamyaab’?  He makes the most of the given opportunity and makes sure that there is not a single iota in the film where you can say that he hasn’t done well, or probably gone overboard. He takes the film on his able shoulders and never makes you feel like he is acting that too in a film where he is playing an actor. That takes some genius.

Hardik Mehta’s fantastic direction makes the characters come alive. His story itself is so powerful yet relatable that it makes you want to be present right in the times when the characters have been set. Full marks for the brilliant story. His direction shows that he has some able hands and is here to make some great movies in the future. Very well begun, Hardik.

The screenplay writing by Radhika Anand and Hardik Mehta also needs a special mention. The way the story has been presented, showing the point of view of not just the ‘side actor’ but also his family members is commendable. Take a bow guys, you did a fab job.

Piyush Puty’s cinematography also lends a character in itself. After all, in the world of today, it’s very difficult to show the film’s industry’s reality without compromising in any way. The way the colous and the shot selection have played their part, makes you want to be part of the film.

Lastly, a special mention to Rachita Arora for the movie’s brilliant music. Even though in an artsy film like this, you don’t need to have a lot of music, but some of the songs playing in the background while the story unfolded at the forefront. To add to it the background score is so hauntingly beautiful that it is sure to make you weep by the end of the movie.

What’s Not
There is hardly anything about this film which you will feel bad about. However, the film is surely not for all. The film leans on being an art film, and it’s only and only Sanjay Mishra’s hilarious antics that give you respite in from the artsy monotony. Thereby, audiences who’re looking to see a Sanjay Mishra from the ‘Golmaal’ franchise will surely be disappointed as they’re going to get the Sanjay Mishra who has excelled in films like ‘Kadwi Hawa’ and ‘Ankhon Dekhi’.

The film hasn’t been marketed well. Even though it is a Red Chillies Entertainment product, you will feel the blend of Drishyam Films in every frame, and therefore, the promotions are also not that aggressive. That will surely impact the number of audiences walking into the theatres, as the aam junta isn’t still aware that there is a film of Sanjay Mishra which is coming out at the theatre this Friday. At the same time, the other release of the weekend, ‘Baaghi 3’ (may or may not be a good film) but everyone knows that it’s coming – because of the marketing, what else.

On a personal note, I would have absolutely loved to see more of the gorgeous and talented Isha Talwar onscreen. I feel she is being wasted in smaller roles like ‘Article 15’, ‘Kaalakaandi’, ‘Tubelight’, etc. Would have surely wanted to see her get more screen space in non-commercial movies like ‘Kaamyaab’, which would surely give her more space to perform and show her true artistic colours.

Verdict
Well, he is has been given his due in this film. He has been playing lead roles in smaller production films, but when a huge production house like Red Chillies Entertainment backs a project like this, you know that Sanjay Mishra has arrived finally. For his brilliance and for the newbie director Hardik Mehta’s brilliant story-telling, I am going with 4 stars for this film.

Box-Office
Despite being a great film, the film will not be able to get enough screens and masses coming in to watch it. After all, it’s clashing with one of the most popular action franchises of Bollywood, ‘Baaghi 3’. ‘Kaamyaab’, at best, will end up being watched by audiences on OTT platforms and some intelligentsia at multiplexes. Only the connoisseurs of great cinema will end up watching the movie, and thus the moolah earned would also be pretty limited.

Watch Trailer

Also Read: ‘Doordarshan’ Movie Review: The Manu Rishi-Mahie Gill starrer is good light-hearted watch for the weekend

Prateek Sur

Born a Movie Buff, working as a Film Critique and enjoying life as a Bollywood Reporter.

Email: editor@bollywoodbubble.com Phone: +91 8355910465