Kabir Singh has rage and anger issues. He is also self-obsessed, given to substance abuse and shows suicidal tendencies. However, even with such an obtuse character, the film could have been a Fatal Attraction-type of a psychological thriller. We take a closer look at it in the Kabir Singh film review.
The problem with Kabir Singh is not so much that the titular character’s mind severely debilitates his life, but that the others are so utterly dimwit as they do things that are just about the opposite of what a half-sensible individual would have done. These characters are so unreal that they might as well be from another planet. There is his mindless friend, Shiva (Soham Majumdar) who supports Kabir come what may, only that it goes way overboard when, in a bid to resurrect his life, he advises him to marry his sister. Only a person living in total oblivion to what is happening around him and especially to his closest friend would want to wed their sister to this fellow. If this isn’t enough, the girl, Preeti Sikka (Kiara Advani), who he terrorizes and embarrasses in every way possible, has fallen in love with him. All of this is sure to flummox you, and it might even test your patience if you are easily disturbed by impropriety.
With all of the things wrong with this film, it is a minor achievement if you make it through till the end of this long-drawn tale of one man’s temper tantrums. Yes, if the almost three-hour duration doesn’t bum you out, then you will walk away moderately entertained. Youngsters will find the flair that Shahid Kapoor brings to the titular character entrancing. It is a testament to the acting prowess of this underrated actor as he brings every possible modicum of believability to this otherwise repulsive and obnoxious character.
At the moment, there isn’t another actor in the industry that could have pulled off this role with more panache than Shahid Kapoor. He blends so well into his character’s persona that we almost think that it is for real. Although, for all his histrionics, Shahid Kapoor can only but help elevate the movie so much. It does not take long before you realize that it is all going downhill.
That said, with scenes that keep propping up the humor, the first half breezes through without much fuss. Post-intermission, even though the humor quotient takes a dip, this schlock still manages to keep you casually invested until the end.
If there were an award for the worst movie endings, Kabir Singh would have a real shot for bagging it. The director notches up the absurdity, and the finale takes the cake for being one of the year’s most awkward ones. If upon leaving the auditorium, you find yourself thinking that what you saw was complete hogwash and yet mildly entertaining, then your reactions are just about spot-on.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the director, is not particularly keen to provide any meaningful content in his movie. The sole intent being on titillating the young crowd through his hero’s brazenly unorthodox antics. In the end, Vanga does achieve some success with a few oddly humorous scenes. You end up laughing at the freakishness of the main character when you think that he should see a shrink pronto.
There is a scene where Kabir goes after the maid for accidentally breaking a glass. He runs after her down the stairs as a man possessed. What it shows is the mentally unstable state that he is in, and that is about it. However, until that point, there isn’t any doubt about the sensibilities of Kabir Singh, and the director doesn’t have to shove one scene after another into our face to tell the same thing over and over again. Why spend a majority of the runtime only to show the ineptness of your character who lacks the perception of differentiating right from wrong?
Watching Kabir Singh is an exercise in enduring the madness that ensues. If the director had more ingenuity, we might have had a deliciously dark comedy. Instead, what we have isn’t a boring film as such, but one that lacks the oblique comedy that would have made it exquisite. Nevertheless, as an ode to the clueless and lost souls, Kabir Singh is the perfect homage.
(2.5 / 5)
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