Aamras Review {2/5} & Review Rating
Recall those years when you were growing up. When you were in your teens. When you just stepped out of school. When you were learning to take independent decisions. When you were waiting to explore a whole new world... The images may be blur, but the flashes from the past should bring a smile on your face. Writer-director Rupali Guha tries to capture those years on celluloid in AAMRAS.
The concept is interesting, but the writing appeals in bits and spurts. It holds your attention at times, since the goings-on look believable. But the film takes a filmi route in its second hour and that robs the film of its freshness.
Final verdict? This aamras is just about okay!
AAMRAS is a coming of age youth film about friendship among four friends [all aged between 17-18 years], urban school girls - Jiya, Pari, Rakhi and Sanya. All four are very close and come from varied background, attending one of the most prestigious schools in Mumbai.
All four have no secrets among themselves. They support one another in all their endeavours - good or bad. They have promised to remain friends forever, with no sorrys and no thank yous as their 'mantra'. These friends will do just about anything to keep their friendship going.
The problem with AAMRAS is, it tries to do that balancing act in those 2 hours. Rupali should've chartered a singular path. The girl talk, for instance, is interesting. But the romantic track, with the lover surfacing in the end, looks like a complete compromise from the writing point of view.
Even the scholarship incident as also the sudden death of aai [Jiya's mother] could've been avoided.
Having said that, one also wishes to add that Rupali manages to keep your interest alive at several places. The MMS incident at the very start is one such instance. Also, the casting is just right, with the four girls essaying their parts with natural ease.
Vega [as Jiya], Ntasha [as Pari], Maanvi [as Rakhi] and Aanchal [Sanya] are efficient. Ajay Singh Choudhury [as Johny] gets no scope. Zarina Wahab and Reema are okay. Sunil Sinha [as Principal] and Manoj Pahwa are fair. The actress enacting the role of Jiya's mom is very good.
On the whole, AAMRAS is interesting in parts only. However, the film will face an uphill task at the box-office because of lack of face-value and also, lack of hype.
