Qaidi Band: An over-the-top mission

Cast: Anya Singh, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Prince Parvinder Singh, Aadar Jain

Rated: 4/10

YRF gets ambitious here in bringing in an issue-based film high on musical notes and ditties on our Judicial, law enforcing and skewed prison systems but the film is nevertheless an interesting concept.

Another matter though that the film is too well-dressed to be convincing or motivating. The pace somewhat comes from the lyrics that have not only been penned well but also sung with gumption getting you involved with their high octane notes challenging the system.

Based on the plight of the thousands of undertrials languishing in our overcrowded, dingy, crime infested jails, it focuses on a group of youngsters who are caught in the Sunny Deol kind of “date after date after date” situation, some being incarcerated for more than three-four years despite not even having committed a crime or having committed a crime too small for the punishment.

After they perform at an Independence Day function in the jail, their song goes viral and they are craftily drafted in by the jailor (played to perfection by an unrecognisable Sachin) to continue singing (for the good old but bad politician wanting to further his poll prospects by tapping the youth).

Result: All dates of their court hearings cancelled stealthily by the unscrupulous jailer who is also enjoying the benefits of his inmates’ popularity.

The lead actress, despite the nude make-up and good looks is dressed too nattily to sound or looks like a maid who ran away with the kid in her care.

The boys do play their part but the entire thing is too over the top to give you any serious peek into the plight of undertrials.

Now, if you can go for a movie only for some of its songs, you are welcome. But the MP3 downloads are always there for that.

Source: Sunday Pioneer, 27 August, 2017