Afwaah Review: Interesting concept that delves deeper into reality and holds a mirror to the political intolerance that’s ruined the lives of millions
Afwaah Movie Rating: 3 Stars
Just watched Afwaah movie on Netflix. Let’s focus on the complete details, story, positive/negatives and at last my personal view on this movie.
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bhumi Pednekar, Sumeet Vyas, Sharib Hashmi, Sumit Kaul, TJ Bhanu and Eisha Chopra
Director: Sudhir Mishra
Release Date: 5th May 2023 in cinemas & 30th June 2023 on Netflix
Story: Story is the story of how just one rumor on the powerful social media can wreak havoc in a person’s life. Set in Rajasthan, the opening sequence introduces us to Vicky Singh (Sumeet Vyas) who is an aspiring politician and power-hungry bigot who organises an attack on his rally with the help of his right-hand man Chandan (Sharib Hashmi).
However, when everything is recorded and broadcast on all news channels simultaneously, his reputation and his party which is owned by his prospective father-in-law Gyaan Singh are completely ruined. This bothers Hukum’s daughter Nivi (Bhumi Pednekar) who dislikes dirty politics, so she chooses to flee rather than marry Vicky. While on the run, the simple act of kindness between Nivi and Rahab (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) spirals into a rumor that threatens to wreck their lives.
He terms it a case of love jihad, to gain political mileage out of it. Despite their efforts to prove their innocence, the influence of social media and people’s prejudice continues to work against them. How one thing leads to another because of this one motivated post is what the story is all about. What ultimately happens to Nivi, Rahab and Vikram Singh forms the crux of the drama.
Positives
1. Performances
2. Screenplay
3. Story
4. Direction
Negatives
1. Length
2. Music
3. Climax
Durgesh Tiwary’s View: When I watched the trailer of this film planned to watch this movie on OTT Premier as it looks good in parts only.
Sometimes, the monster chasing you is a rumour. Rahab is a top advertising professional and Nivi is a political heiress, find no place to hide as they get entangled in a vicious rumour created by the social media machinery. Witness how an ‘Afwaah’ changes the course of their lives and turns it upside down.
Afwaah story about the state of affairs prevailing in today’s time when social media dictates how we think and what we do. Of course, the story is one of convenience but that’s not much of an aberration because the focus is on the evils of social media, which the audience would be able to identify with. So much importance has been given to social media that it sometimes appears as if social media is the be all and end all of society. While that may be true in a manner of speaking, but it is not so in practical terms because countless people survive without being on social media even today. A story of power-craze and greed, the film also sheds light on the evil effects of social media that shape the careers of politicians. Rumors work like an imaginary needle that injects false narratives into the brains of the less-exposed illiterate class.
The expectation that Afwaah will entertain the audience will be crashed in the first hour of the film. Sudhir’s primary intention isn’t to make you feel cosy but to surprise you and make you feel uncomfortable with the kinds of proceedings that are highlighted. The film isn’t meant to look bright. Shedding light on the country’s ministerial dominance and how they have a lasting impression on the public negatively, the filmmaker tells a poignant story. While Afwaah makes for a great watch in the second half when the film’s politics deepens, the first half is dull. There’s no resonance with the characters and the flow of the story seems convenient. The film gets into the right gear when all the loose ends begin tying up. Despite an effort to make an intelligent film, it suffers from routine twists. The climax does surprise you though.
Overall movie is for classes, if not entirely for the masses. It delves deeper into reality and holds a mirror to the political intolerance that’s ruined the lives of millions. This film reasonably manages to bring to light the impact of such afwaahs; however, the climax seems a tad convenient and could have left us with a stronger impact. My view on this movie Recommended.
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