Freaky Ali Movie Review: Nawaz's 'Ace' Act

After spending years playing quirky and off-beat roles, Nawazuddin Siddiqui finally took up the challenge of playing a typical hero in a mainstream 'masala' movie titled Freaky Ali and by Golf (pardon the pun), the man has impressed us once more, despite our skepticism.

Directed by Sohail Khan, Freaky Ali is about underdog Ali (Nawaz), an orphan who makes a living as a sidekick to a goon Maqsood (Arbaaz Khan). When an acquaintance Kishan Lal (Asif Basra) accidentally discovers that Ali has a talent for golf, the caddie starts training him for a golf tournament, where he has to defeat reigning champion Vikram Singh Rathod (Jas Arora). Will Ali overcome all odds and emerge as a champion? Watch and find out…

Like most sorts films revolving around an underdog, Freaky Ali has a predictable curve. However, what makes the film a fun watch is its pace, its unpretentious humour and of course, Nawazuddin's easy charm and one-liners.

Nawaz has carried the film on his shoulders despite the presence of actors like Seema Biswas, Asif Basra and others, though actors Amy Jackson and Nikitin Dheer are totally wasted in the film. As the quick-wittd Ali, who is never short of a witty one-liner, Nawaz is immensely entertaining. Arbaaz is funny only in a few scenes and though Jas Arora has a powerful screen presence and looks dashing, his arrogant antagonist act is quite stereotypical. Watch out for Jackie Shroff's rib-tickling cameo and his "Maushi chi…" sequence.

Like mentioned earlier, the film has a very predictable curve and the makers could have easily avoided certain characters and scenes, which lead to unnecessary melodrama. In fact, had the makers decided to do away with the romantic angle or Ali's back story about his foster mother completely, it would not have affected the story in any way. The film will surely remind you of Happy Gilmore at times, but the 'desi tadka' given by Sohail to the film surely makes the film an enjoyable watch.

Mind you, the film is not in the league of films like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' or Mary Kom or Paan Singh Tomar. But nevertheless, 'Freaky Ali' scores only because it isn't trying to pretend to be something it is not.

If you are looking for a 'masala' timepass this weekend, Freaky Ali will surely not disappoint you despite being predictable and clichéd.