If anything Sabbir Khan has given Bollywood then it's disgrace, with the help of a couple turkeys like Kambakkht Ishq (2009) and Baaghi (2016). Maintaining the low quality of his entire filmography comes, he comes up with this dance comedy that takes inspiration from one of the greats to make a film that is eligible for at least one of EIC's Ghanta Awards.
Munna (Tiger Shroff) is a young man who aspires to be a successful dancer. An orphan, he was brought up by Michael (Ronit Roy), a dancer himself who used to work in films, Munna wants to participate in dance competitions and climb his way up. However, Michael does not concur with his son's aspirations and instead wants him to get a government job which is more secure and reputable. Munna disregards this and ends up being challenged by nobodies, eventually locking horns with Mahendra (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a fiendish gangster, whose kid brother he beat up the previous night. As they face off, one thing leads to another, and Mahendra requests Munna to teach him proper dancing in 30 days so that he can impress Dolly (Nidhhi Agerwal), a petite young dancer who works at a local pub...
As anyone can guess, Munna also falls for Dolly, but is prevented at courtship by his deal with Mahendra which has now grown into explosive camaraderie. It is evident that the writers wanted to make a comedy film, but also wanted to spice it up with gimmicks of dance and some old school hero-villain elements. All things considered, there is not an iota of logic in the proceedings. What gangster requests his potential victim to teach him dance moves? Okay, humor apart, how did it even pass muster in the writer's room? Having this as the main plot element, the film then shifts into romance between Munna and Dolly as both of them dance their bottoms off, eluding poor Mahendra.
There is some reality show in the background (which is judged by Shaan, Farah Khan, and Chitrangada Singh if you're interested), a gang of three that happens to be Munna's chum group but now seem to be helping Dolly qualify in that reality show, Munna not disclosing his "superb" dance skills to Dolly just because, and Dolly chasing her dream to prove to her father. There is all sorts of gimmickry in the film - something director Khan is known for - that makes it all look like a flashy TV show without substance.
Shroff is an average actor, but seeing him break a leg and then some bones is not entertainment. His character Munna claims to be an aspirant dancer yet he has more panache as a fighter. His co-star and debutante Agerwal cannot act, but she is at least pretty and that's what matters in Bollywood (other than nepotism; y'all reading the news, right?). Siddiqui performs well, but I'd rather see him typecast than fooling around like this. Supporting cast do a decent job.
Overall, Sabbir Khan's preparation is typical Bollywood that is unbearable to watch. Of course, there is some comic relief and nice dancing by Shroff, but other than, it's just another doltish film that, if tested by the times, is sure to turn into a shambles. For Pete's sake, it has a veteran actor like Ronit Roy dancing to "Goriya Chura Na Mera Jiya" in the opening sequence itself. Enough to make you coil in unintended laughter. It does not even respect the title, to be honest. A few Jackson moves here and there is not enough, guys!
BOTTOM LINE: Sabbir Khan's "Munna Michael" is too flashy and made entirely without logic. Its lead actors also fail to deliver what they promised, leaving everything to Ronit Roy and Nawazuddin, both of whom cannot dance. Rent a DVD if you are a fan. Watch "Lipstick Under My Burkha" instead.
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
