WILL AZHAR BRING BACK EMRAAN HASHMI IN THE BIG LEAGUE?
4 years back, Emraan Hashmi was hailed as the next Salman Khan. His films were all becoming big hits. But then shockingly he delivered 7 underperformers in a row - Rush, Ek Thi Daayan, Ghanchakkar, Raja Natwarlal, Ungli, Mr X and Hamari Adhuri Kahani! The last year in a way changed things for him for the better. Hamari Adhuri Kahani flopped but it got a positive response from a section of audiences and his performance was loved by most of the viewers. His single Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon got universal acclaim and brought him back in a way. And now he's back with Azhar, the biopic of the controversial cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin.
The makers have promoted the film on a grand scale from the time of its launch. The launch happened a year back and Azharuddin himself graced the event. He in fact has also coached Emraan and is even going out with the team for interviews and promotional activities. From the trailer it seems that it's one of those rare biopics which hasn't shied away from showing even the controversial and dark aspects of Azhar's life, be it the match fixing or his extra marital affair. Prachi Desai plays his wife Naureen while Nargis Fakhri plays Sangeeta, modelled on the actress Sangeeta Bijlani. Songs are good but haven't really made a huge mark - it should work more once the film is out. The film also features Lara Dutta in the role of a feisty lawyer. Manjot Singh, Karanvir Sharma and Gautam Gulati essay characters based on Manoj Prabhakar, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Ravi Shastri respectively. Reportedly, these cricketers are apprehensive as to how they have been portrayed in the film. They demanded to see the movie but they were not allowed and hence they were contemplating legal action. Whether this is true or a marketing gimmick is debatable.
The makers have given it all to promote the film but the buzz sadly is limited. It is believed that they have purposely not shown much in the promos and that the film has a lot to offer. Cricket is religion in India and hence, this film has aroused curiosity. The opening can be average but if it's a good film, it has the capacity to make it big at the box office and thereby, bring Emraan Hashmi back in the big league.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AZHAR AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!