Abbas Mastan the director duo are one of the few directors in the Indian film Industry who have their own inimitable style of film making. Though they specialize in the thriller genre but have occasionally tried their hands on other subjects as well. Long way back I watched Agneekal a potboiler in the late 80's directed by the duo probably their first movie. Though they became known for their suspense thriller Khiladi in early 90's and then the blockbuster Baazigar recognized them in the top notch category. The reason for this long introduction is to give the readers a pulse check about the duo.
Machine their latest offering is important in many ways as it marks the debut of Mustafa son of Abbas. So what is Machine all about? In Simple words it is a redraft of Abbas Mastan's most successful movie till date i.e Baazigar.
Good thought from the director duo as Baazigar started an era of Stardom for SRK. But Mustafa is no SRK and Machine is no Baazigar.
Let me give some facts as why was Baazigar was such an iconic movie.
1.Excellent acting by Sharukh Khan with good support from the entire cast
2. Outstanding Music from Anu Malik
3. Movie focuses on how the murder is planned rather who did it.
4. Very good screenplay
5. Compassion from the audience for an antihero
Machine does not have any of the above and fails miserably in all departments. The movie does not show any form which leads to a good thriller. Also some of the instances are very immature, like how do you expect an unknown lover writing letters with his blood and sending greeting cards in 2017. Very amusing in such an age where the social media is used by a youngster as their first priority.
The director did not care about this and demonstrated things that does not make any sense and looks sidesplitting. Abbas Muston did not realize Baazigar was released around 24 years ago and the audience taste have changed since then. So the plots that looked very refreshing in 90's looks very lame in Machine i.e is the concept of the silent lover and that too not being explored deeply.
Lots said and done I am so fond of Baazigar that I'll keep on comparing it with Machine as this is a badly conceived movie. Few veteran actors who use to be favorite of Abbas Mastan can be seen in this movie but they come and they disappear.
The acting is below average from all the actors baring the sole saving grace Ronit Roy who is good in a small but a significant role. Kiara Advani looks good but cannot act as per the demand of the movie. Mustafa tries very hard but fails as he does play a desperado but his actions are not justified and the audience do not identify with him. This was exactly opposite in Baazigar where the audience felt for SRK even though he was wrong in his engagements.
The college portion depicted in the movie is very funny and audience cannot relate with it. Music also is only cacophony. Even the remix of Tu Cheez badi hai mast mast the 90's blockbuster song does not create any impact.
Machine has nothing to offer it is like serving an old wine with bad packaging and bitter taste. Not a good launch for Mustafa. Abbas Mastan can be better if they move with time then being stuck in it.
