Director: Bejoy Nambiar
Rating: 3.75/5
There is a reason Mr. Bachchan is the phenomenon he is today. Despite the demi-god like reverence doled out by his fans, it is mind boggling to see him don a new hat in every movie, try that extra bit hard every time and, most importantly, deliver.
Bejoy Nambiar has given us Shaitan and David in the past - both movies bereft of big stars, both off the beaten Bollywood formula and packing a lot of substance and both nowhere close to being box-office successes. On this occasion, he changed the plan and went in with two stars. However, refreshingly, Wazir is not about Amitabh or Farhan, the 'stars' but about Panditji (AB) and Daanish (Farhan).
The movie opens with a dream-like sequence depicting the paradise of a family life of Daanish and Ruhana (Aditi). Everything is near perfect till an over-zealous attempt by Farhan to nab a terrorist, while out shopping with his family, ends up in his daughter losing her life. All credit to Farhan for making the audience live the subsequent emotions of grief and anger. While he is still guilt-ridden, despite having avenged his daughter's death by killing the terrorist, he meets disabled chess aficionado Pandit Omkarnath.
It is revealed that Pandit had lost his daughter the previous year - an accident which he firmly believes was anything but. The two men bond over their shared loss while it becomes more and more evident that a widely popular minister has a hand in Pandit's daughter's death. As Pandit becomes more vocal of his suspicion, his life is threatened by the minister's henchman called Wazir (Neil Nitin). What follows is Daanish's headstrong mission to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice all for the sake of friendship. It is fascinating how the game of chess and its nuances are woven into the plot, and one doesn't need to be a pro to appreciate the beautiful analogy.
Pandit and Danish, evidently separated by decades in their age, display a heart-warming friendship that is aptly celebrated in the credits track 'Atrangi yaari'. Aditi Rao looks like a breath of fresh air in each frame she occupies (her appearance can actually be counted in frames). Her chemistry with Farhan in a few silent sequences is rather beautiful. Meanwhile, Neil Nitin might have created a new record for the lowest screen time in a titular role.
The tight plot and gripping performances are topped with slick editing as the movie packs everything in a mere 102 minutes. The music is very pleasing with Atrangi Yaari and Tere Bin being personal favorites. Ankit Tiwari's soulful rendition of Tu mere paas brings the pain of the couple to life.
Wazir is precisely what we need more of. Unfortunately, we might not have too many directors/ producers taking these risks if their earnings remain a mere quarter of the likes of Dilwale.
