Review: Debutant director Ganesh’s ‘Baang’ with an extra ‘a’ is a dud in the end

The word “bang” literally means a sudden loud or sharp noise. Whereas, debutant director Sree Ganesh Parashuram’s Baang which comes with an extra “a” is an action-thriller of a different kind altogether.

To explain it in simple words, though the film is just a few minutes more than two hours, it ends up as a never-ending saga. That’s the kind of a “bang” experience it offers.

Interestingly, the movie has Shanvi Shrivastava playing a gangster, for the first time onscreen. It also has singer-composer Raghu Dixit making his debut as an actor. But to no avail.

So, what makes Baang an “unforgettable” action-cum-thriller? Well, let’s take a sneak peek into it:

Synopsis

When was the last time you came across a movie where something or someone is left inside the trunk/boot of a car, especially belonging to a stranger?

Yes, numerous ones. This one, too, has a similar sequence which kicks off a chain of events leading to a literally “breath-taking” climax.

But before that, we have three friends venturing out on a long drive and late-night party. They do so because one of the friend’s parents is out of station and his elder brother lures him out of the house as he wants some private time with his girlfriend.

Wait for a second, there are four people. Three friends and the younger brother of the rich guy in the gang.

When the gang of friends are almost done chilling out, they are attacked by real gangsters. They are looking for a bag — supposed to be in the trunk of their car — containing drugs of the highest quality worth ₹40 crore.

They take the young boy hostage with an ultimatum to the gang to find the bag and hand it over to the “daddy” gangster. If this already sounds excruciating, then imagine the experience that follows thereafter.

Related: Experienced actresses should be counted too: Shanvi Srivastava

It comes in chapters

In an attempt to make it a one-of-its-kind gangster-based action thriller, newcomer Ganesh tries a few new tricks that never work but go against the very intention to make it unique.

There are several chapters to the action saga which are titled after blockbuster Kannada movies like Thrimurthy (1975), Jedara Bale (1968), Hello Daddy (1996), Operation Diamond Racket (1978), and so on.

This backfires as audiences are reminded of the classic hits films and that they are watching a film of a different experience.

However, only director Ganesh can explain the idea to chapter the film in different segments which coincides with the movie titles of classic Kannada films or how it even relates to the sequences.

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Experiments galore

While it may not meet the expectations of a bang-on entertainer, Baang, however, scores a few good points when it comes to its unique presentation on screen. Seems like the director is influenced by new-age filmmakers in telling a tale in multiple ways and angles.

Despite all the hiccups, the filmmaker should be appreciated for experimenting in his very first venture. It gives the impression that he wants to showcase all his talent in one go but unfortunately falters big time.

Nevertheless, if worked on a much more sensible script and managed his experiments to good effect, Ganesh has all the qualities to make it work in his favour.

Insofar as performances are concerned, Shanvi puts her heart and soul but loses the effect in the end. So do Raghu Dixit and the gang of friends.

The biggest takeaway in Baang is the background score and music by Ritvik Muralidhar. Music gives an unusual feel to the experimental thriller.

Further, Ritvik as (one of the friends) Aarav delivers a decent performance.

Get trapped in the web of lies and deceit with ‘Aata Senasaata’ from #baang https://t.co/s5bjDI2PmV#aatasenasaata #jonitagandhi #baang #baangonaugust18th @Raghu_Dixit @shanvisrivastav pic.twitter.com/iEcwlbHXrG

— shanvi srivastava (@shanvisrivastav) August 8, 2023

Verdict

Like too many cooks spoil the broth, too much of an experiment makes this Baang movie skippable.

However, Shanvi Srivastava’s fans may find some solace in her new avatar as a gangster.

(Views expressed here are personal.)