Expectations:
In our Hindi films its often seen that superstars are added to a film to increase it’s star value. There have been many such examples
where a superstar was roped in for a special appearance, but ended up doing an extended special appearance. We have seen many
superstars like Rajesh Khanna(Anurag, Badnam Farishte, etc.), Amitabh Bachchan(Andha Kanoon, Insaniyat, etc.), Shah Rukh Khan(Dulha
Mil Gaya, Army, etc.) and others obliging the film or film makers. The most recent example, seems of superstar of the current lot
Ranbir Kapoor’s appearance in’Roy’. Looking at the promos or the poster of the film, it looks like Ranbir Kapoor is in the main lead,
but going by the buzz and marketing strategies it seems like he has been added to add up the glamour quotient in the film. Though,
there have been such cameo or extended appearances which have been apt for the screenplay of the film. Hoping on that basis, let’s
find out whether’Roy’ will set up as a latest example of having superstar in an extended role or going by the sensibilities of Ranbir
Kapoor it could be the perfect role as per the requirement of the script.
Story:
’Roy’ is a story of a commercial film maker Kabir(Arjun Rampal) who is riding high after the success of his earlier films. Kabir gets
inspired from a painting robbery and starts writing as well as shooting for his next film in Malaysia. He meets another film maker
Ayesha(Jacqueline Fernandez) and starts bonding with her. The moments spend with Ayesha inspires Kabir to write his script featuring
the tale of a highly crafted thief Roy(Ranbir Kapoor). What happens next is what the entire film is all about.
Screenplay & Technicalities:
The story is as predictable as it looked in its lavishly presented promos. You might remember some similarities between the basic
theme of’Roy’ with Sanjay Dutt - Aishwarya Rai - Zayed Khan starrer film’Shabd’. The first half moves on a snail pace mode and takes
lots of time in establishing the plot line of the film. The screenplay has hardly any movement and is mostly stagnant in the first
half of the film. The second half does full justice to the first half and keeps dragging till the end credits of the film. The
characters in the film are clueless and so are the writers of this film. The endless search for a perfect script gets accomplished by
the character of Arjun Rampal in the film, but in reality it was nowhere to be found in the movie’Roy’. To top it up, there are
plenty of unwanted scenes and silent long shots which are placed in the film to test your patience level. Even the action scene of
Rabir Kapoor with Asif seemed unintentionally funny. The whole reason for Jacqueline getting upset over Arjun Rampal seemed
unconvincingly pointless and wasting the whole film after it was like unforgivable sin. On the technical grounds the movie is of top
notch and the cinematography is outstanding. The locations and visual placement of the film is superb.
Music & Direction:
’Roy’ is produced by T-Series company and thus, there are some fantastic songs attached to this film. Every song is enjoyable and
visually presented in an entertaining manner.’Sooraj Dooba’, ’Tu Hain Ki Nahin’, ’Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan’ and’Yaara Re’ will be loved
and cherished. The songs end up as the only saving grace in this film.
Director Vikramjit Singh comes up with a confused film with lots of abrupt scenes and pointless screenplay. His style of film
narration is so slow that if Rip Van Winkle got up after his twenty years of sleep, he will go back to a deep sleep while watching
this film. The only place he succeeds is in making us feel the frustration and conflict going on in his character’s mind over a
missing script. It’s a huge opportunity loss for Vikramjit as the producers had marketed this film pretty well.
Performances:
Arjun Rampal sleepwalk throughout the film, it’s tough to decide what was more slow - Arjun’s dialogue delivery or film narrative
style. Jacqueline Fernandez looked smashing and adds the glamour quotient to the film. She succeeds in terms of looking different for
her different characters. Her pairing with Rabir Kapoor looked complimenting. Speaking about Rabir Kapoor, one does wonder what is he
doing in this clueless film. His character is half baked and has hardly anything to do in this film. Shernaz Patel and Barun Chanda
are fine in their parts. Anupam Kher and Rajit Kapoor are wasted.
Final Verdict:
except for fantastic songs, beautifully looking Jacqueline, picturesque location, there is nothing more in this boring film.’Roy’
joins the long list of all those films where superstars are added as a saving grace. In short, if you are looking out for some good
amount of joy in the movie’Roy’, then let me sum it up by saying there is very less of joy and has more of cloy in the movie’Roy’.