Bangistan – MOVIE REVIEW

STORY: Two individuals are brainwashed by their gurus into becoming suicide bombers, with their mission being that of blowing up a gathering of religious leaders from all over the globe. Their journey has several twists and turns.

REVIEW: The basic premise of Bangistan is interesting in itself. This quirky comedy tells you the simple story of two naive men, willing to go to any length for their respective faiths.

Action kick-starts in North and South Bangistan, a fictitious but beauteous land where opposing faiths, the Muslims and the Hindus, have their headquarters. A voice over informs you in a tongue-in-cheek fashion that bombs go off here at the least provocation, hence the place is aptly named Bangistan.

Hafeez (Riteish) works in a BPO and speaks chaste English with an American accent (hilarious). On the South side of this mountain town is Praveen(Pulkit), who is the Hanuman of the local Ram-Lila. Both Hafeez and Praveen are impressionable so their sects choose them for a special mission. They are told that to show reverence to Allah and Bhagwan, they must destroy people from the opposite faiths. When the opportunity to accomplish their objective, albeit without raising any suspicion, presents itself at a religious conference scheduled in Poland, the men set off of on their journey. They prepare for D-day at Wilfred’s rooming house in Krakow. Lodged one floor above the other, the simpletons discover that they more inclined to be friends than foes. And that’s where their moral dilemma actually starts. The charming bartender (Jaqueline) at the lodge is also someone the two of them take a shine to. Songs are sung and merriment is had, giving this satire the required light-hearted touch. The director, who wishes to depict the futility of war fought in the name of God and religion, stays on track. Despite the dry choice of subject, Bangistan makes valiant attempts to keep the humour alive during its two-hour running time.

The characters of Riteish and Pulkit, who do not have a single mean bone in their bodies, are convincing as the Dumb and Dumber combo; blundering bumpkins who are a misfit on a terror journey.

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