Film: The Fakir Of Venice
Rating: 2.5
Director: Anand Surapur
Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Annu Kapoor, Kamal Sidhu
Actor director producer singer Farhan Akhtar has debuted in 2008 with Rock On. But many of you don’t know, The Fakir Of Venice, which is releasing the screens this week was supposed to be his debut film and has seen the ray of light after more than 10 years. Plays Adi Contractor a tricky Production Assistant who can get a film crew anything they want in this world. He is actually okay with supplying anything as long as he gets paid.
Adi gets his chance when an Italian art gallery commissions him to recruit an Indian sage for an installation-based exhibition in Venice. Adi makes a trip to Varanasi, where he meets both fake and genuine monks. Farhan Akhtar, little does he know that this fakir is right under his nose, in Juhu. Sattar (Annu Kapoor), a painter, is introduced to Adi as someone who can bury himself in the sand for hours and can actually do this extraordinary feat. To earn quick money for his plan for further studies in the US, Adi transforms Sattar into a fakir. They fly off to Venice – a conman and a fake fakir. Will they be caught or will they succeed? The rest of the plot has the answer.
What’s Good: Farhan Akhtar does a decent job considering this was his debut in front of the camera. His look for the role and dialogue delivery is perfect. Annu Kapoor is an effortless actor, the Hindi film industry is lucky to have him. His role Sattar has certain pathos and agony which he conveys accurately and audience can get into the intensity of Sattar. Jhilmil Hazrika as Annu’s sister leaves a strong impression in a small role. After having spent close to two decades in the world of ad and feature films, Anand Surapur makes his directorial debut with The Fakir Of Venice.
What’s Bad: The Fakir Of Venice is made a decade back so it looks a bit dated. This film is definitely not for the masses, niche audience will like the film. A.R Rahman’s melody is not used properly in the film.
