Crew
Cast: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu, Kriti Sanon, Diljit Dosanjh, and Kapil Sharma
Director: Rajesh A Krishnan
Rating: 2.5/5
Kareena Kapoor Khan is one of the biggest names in the Hindi film industry. She has emerged as a force to reckon with because of her confident screen presence and powerful performances. Her latest release ‘Crew’ has created a fair deal of buzz in the industry as it sees her first collaboration with Tabu and National Award winner Kriti Sanon, two equally talented star performers.
Moreover, the trailer suggested that the flick would be a crazy joyride with wild twists and relatable characters. ‘Crew’, sadly, does not live up to these expectations as the writing fails to deliver.
Middling screenplay mars the show
The film centres on three air hostesses from middle-class families working for the nearly-bankrupt Kohinoor Airlines. Their salaries are on hold because of the company’s financial woes, making it difficult for them to take care of their financial commitments. Their world is turned upside down when they learn a secret about their employer and decide to pull off a seemingly impossible heist.
The basic storyline is quite refreshing as it steers clear of Bollywood stereotypes such as ’hero and heroine’ and routine dance numbers. It also explores female bonding with overdependence on profanities and sexual references. However, the plot doesn’t make a strong impact as the screenplay falls apart in the second half.
Weak second half
Wild yet believable twists and relatable characters are the pillars of a well-written comedy drama. Take ‘Dhamaal’ for instance. It featured several inherently outlandish sequences and gags but they made sense in the film’s universe. Moreover, the characters of Adi and Maanav– who grew up without parents– added an emotional touch to the reel tomfoolery.
The makers of ‘Crew’ try to deliver on both fronts but fall flat. The film begins with the authorities detaining the protagonist in connection with a gold smuggling scandal. The story then plays out in a non-linear manner as the makers touch upon the backstories of each character.
As a result, the narrative alternates between the past and the present. This approach had the potential to add depth to the characters and impart a touch of unpredictability to the film. However, this never happens as the narrative just rushes through key incidents from their lives. Subplots such as Kareena’s bond with her ‘nannu’ and Tabu’s strained relationship with her brother aren’t explored properly. This makes the characters feel one-dimensional. The film also fails to delve into the inner conflict the characters face when they decide to engage in illegal activities.
That said, the first half holds one’s attention despite these limitations mainly because of the chemistry between Kareena, Tabu, and Kriti. The dark comedy elements in the sequences following a character’s death also work because of their effective comic timing. The pre-interval sequence too feels unique as it offers viewers a fresh perspective on the opening scenes.
Sadly, ‘Crew’ crumbles in the second half when it goes into ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’ territory with the protagonists trying to con a conman. Most of the twists feel predictable and lack any ‘shock value’. To make matters worse, the action feels too outlandish even in the context of the film’s world. The climatic sequence, which involves a desperate attempt to land a plan, is mildly funny but it just does meet the standards set by a similar one in ‘Dhamaal’.
‘Bebo’ shines bright
Coming to the performances, Kareena Kapoor is the pick of the lot. Her charisma and diva-like reel mannerisms might remind fans of her work in ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ and ‘Jab We Met’. Tabu makes her presence felt in a sequence where she lashes out at an uncooperative passenger. Kriti holds her own against the seasoned performers. Her scenes with Diljit Dosanjh work because of the breezy chemistry between them.
The ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ actor is a delight to watch in the role of Kriti’s friend-turned-lover. It’s a pity, he doesn’t get enough scope. The same applies to Kapil Sharma. He is at his vulnerable best in his scenes with Tabu but gets limited screen time. The rest of the cast serves its purpose.
The music is passable but the repeat value is clearly missing. The ‘Choli’ song is quite intelligently used in the film but pales in comparison to the original version. This is also true for the ‘Sona Kitna Sona Hai’ track.
The final word
To conclude, ‘Crew’ is a passable entertainer that can be watched mainly for its effective performances and refreshing idea. It, however, is able to soar as the mediocre writing pulls it down.
