MOVIE REVIEW OF LUDO

 

In Hollywood, we have the MCU, i.e the MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE. Over these few years, I have realized that Bollywood has a different universe of its own, which I would like to call the "Basu Cinematic Universe". This consists of films by Anurag Basu which literally transport you to another world. These are films which are by no means perfect or flawless. These are films which are not at all relateable. At times, there is no logic to a few sequences. Like the old cartoons or English comedy sitcoms of the 1990s. however, I will anyday prefer these to the slapstick illogical comedies in Bollywood. (Read Housefull, Golmaal, Dhamaal, etc)

"Ludo" streamed at exactly 1.30 pm on 12/11/2020 netflix. I had started it at 1.31 pm. However, I waited for a few days and then watched it again. I knew a second viewing would only enhance the beauty of a film in which there is so much going on and there is so much to appreciate.

 

The movie starts with Anurag Basu himself playing the role of a narrator. The metaphorical comparision with the game is evident throughout the film. Basu also keeps the 4 colors same – one each for each story.

Everything is striking, right from the first scene – the naked guy running and jumping down, Pankaj Tripathi pulling out the gun from his thigh, the crossing of cars just like the game of Ludo, everyone jumping over a particular spot to enter Sattu Bhaiyya's den – they have your attention.

Also, the placement of the song "O Betaji" is pure genius stuff. The way the people sitting in the matador purposefully nod their heads in rhythm is so awesome. Also, the way they all sing "Kabhi Naram, kabhi garam" when Pankaj Tripathi forces them to sing is so hilarious.

STORY & DIRECTION

Like Jagga Jasoos, Ludo also is made up of many fairytale moments. The plot is however very well written. I can imagine how much spontaneity must have occurred after the initial draft was written. In such scripts, there is so much scope for improvisations.

Talking about the indivual plots, Rajkumar Rao and Fatima Sana Shaikh's plot wonderfully explores the one sided love story between Aalu and Pinky.

 

Akash and Shruti's track is also well done, though it does seem unconvincing at times. Basu's fondness for the name "SHRUTI" continues.

Rahul & Sheeja's plot is the most unconventional one – and also probably the most unconvincing one as far as the chemistry between the lead actors is concerned. 

Sattu bhaiyya and Lata Kutty's plot is very cute. It makes you smile throughout.

And finally there is Bittu and Mini's plot. For me, that was the best one. Credit to both Abhishek Bachchan & Inayat Verma for their delightful performances.

Anurag directs these plots in his trademark style, moving back and forth in the past and present – something he has deftly done in his previous films too. One big credit to him for the cinematography – wonderfully done by him.

 

PERFORMANCES

Aditya Roy Kapoor gives a good performance. Good to see him staying away from alcoholic roles.

Rajkumar Rao is fantastic. Everything about him is awesome – his waiter monologue accompanied with dance moves, his Mithoon styled dances, his emotional outbursts on seeing Pinky every single time. He conveys the frustration of a one sided lover with utmost finesse.

 

Sanya Malhotra is very good performance wise, but is too loud and boisterous at times. Maybe her role demanded that.

Fatima Sana Shaikh has little acting to do except turning up helplessly in front of Aalu and shooting people. She is good in whatever little she has but she deserves more performance oriented roles. 

Rohit Saraf again has less dialogues, but he gives an endearing performance. Subtlety is his USP.

Pearle Maaney is excellent – her transition from the curly haired clumsy nurse to the gorgeous woman who sweeps Rahul off her feet is very good. The scene where she breaks off into a mad dance with a south indian DJ is bizarre and yet hilarious.

Asha Negi and Bhanu Uday are good supporting roles. Shalini Vatsa as Lata Kutty is excellent.

Ishtiyak Khan as the police inspector is brilliant – Basu has this penchant for creating unforgettable inspector characters – first with Saurabh Shukla in "Barfi" and "Jagga Jasoos" and now here. The way Ishtiyak reacts when he first sees the viral sex clip is so funny.

 

As Mini, Inayat Verma is so so superb – she makes you smile every single time she appears on the screen. Her interactions with Abhishek Bachchan are magical – their chemistry is the best thing about the movie.

 

Pankaj Tripathi proves that there is no other actor like him in the film industry today. The man is a genius. He can pull off any bloody act. He is the same guy who can be menacing in Mirzapur, fatherly in Gunjan Saxena, irritating in Luka Chuppi and hilarious in Ludo. The sequence of the bulldozer where he jumps and clings to the other fellow is hilarious. He is simply flawless.

 

And finally we have Abhishek Bachchan. I loved him here. He is at his very best. Be it the emotional scenes or the scenes with Mini, Junior Bachchan is top notch – his expressions are so damn good. I saw shades of his character of Yuva here. But what truly mesmerised me was his chemistry with Inayat – this is probably the best jodi to have come out of Bollywood in a long time.

 

MUSIC

While we are at jodis, how can we forget the Anurag Basu – Pritam jodi? To say that without Pritam, Basu's films wouldn’t be half as entertaining wouldn’t be an understatement. Pritam has given his career best albums with Basu – be it Life in a metro, Barfi or Jagga Jasoos. Once again, the duo repeat their magic and they don’t disappoint.

Special mention to the lyricists Swanand Kirkire, Sayeed Quadri, Sandeep Shrivastava and Shyoke Lal for penning wonderful songs.

The unreleased songs are also very good – hope they release them soon.

The background score is truly magical. Special mention to the score that plays during the Abhishek Bachchan – Inayat Verma interactions. It enhanced the beauty of the scenes.

 

NEGATIVES

Like I said earlier, there are abundant loopholes. Like Jagga Jasoos, here too the proceedings become slightly tedious towards the end with some over stretched chase scenes and comedy of errors. The fact that they are humorous help you tide over these minor blemishes.

Also, the entire track featuring Basu as Yamraj and Rahul Bagga as Chitragupta could have been avoided.

Thirdly, the ending was a bit confusing. How did Sattu Bhaiyya survive? And most importantly why? Amar toh Munna Bhaiyya they – Kaleen Bhaiyya nahi.

And if the director wanted to keep everyone alive by hook or by crook, why only kill the best character of the film?

 

OVERALL, LUDO is definitely a beautiful film with a multi-layered plot which has so much going on at the same time. Basu has always been a creative genius and here too, he successfully manages to transport us to his chaotic, flawed and yet magical world. Amongst the covid scenario and the deluge of stuff on the OTT platforms, this is probably the freshest product to have arrived.

I always considered Imtiaz Ali to be my favorite director. But slowly over these years, Basu too crept in to reach that position.  After watching "Ludo", I can say I made no mistake in choosing my favorites.

Go for it if you love the Anurag Basu Cinematic Universe.

 

RATING – 9/10