Sometimes,
your
reputation
precedes
you.
Pradeep
Sarkar
carries
the
reputation
of
making
women-centric
movies.
Films
like
Parineeta
and
Laaga
Chunari
Mein
Daag
prove
it.
Who
would've
ever
thought
Sarkar
would
do
a
360
degree
turn
in
his
third
film
by
calling
it
Lafangey
Parindey,
set
it
in
a
chawl
and
make
his
characters
speak
tapori
lingo?
Hard
to
digest,
isn't
it?
Frankly,
the
skilled
storyteller
takes
you
on
a
trip
least
expected
from
him.
When
you
attempt
something
you
haven't
attempted
earlier
or
ventured
into
before,
you
either
fall
flat
on
your
face
or
walk
with
your
chin
up
in
air.
Sarkar
doesn't
slip,
although
Lafangey
Parindey
does
have
its
share
of
hiccups
that
show
up
intermittently.
Unlike
Parineeta
and
Laaga
Chunari
Mein
Daag,
Sarkar
narrates
a
simple
story
this
time
around
and
though
it
has
nothing
to
do
with
the
Rajesh
Khanna
-
Mumtaz
-
Meena
Kumari
starrer
Dushmun,
you
can't
help
but
draw
parallels
with
it,
which,
frankly,
could
be
a
coincidence
as
well.
Yet,
to
be
fair
to
Sarkar,
he
ventures
in
an
unknown
territory
like
a
seasoned
player.
On
the
flipside,
the
film
has
a
major
flaw
and
that
dilutes
the
impact
to
an
extent:
Casting
Neil
Nitin
Mukesh
as
a
tapori.
He
just
doesn't
look
like
one.
Even
if
he
tries
very
hard
to
get
into
the
skin
of
the
character,
you
just
can't
connect
with
him
since
the
suave
and
dashing
demeanor
makes
him
look
like
a
Harvard
returned,
not
someone
from
the
streets
or
wadis
of
Mumbai
definitely.
Final
word?
Sure,
it
has
its
share
of
shortcomings,
but
is
an
engaging
watch
nonethess.
Lafangey
Parindey
is
about
a
group
of
youngsters
living
in
the
backstreets
of
Mumbai.
It
is
the
love
story
of
Nandu
(Neil
Nitin
Mukesh)
and
Pinky
(Deepika
Padukone).
One-Shot
Nandu
takes
boxing
to
a
new
level
by
knocking
down
his
opponents
-
blindfolded.
Needless
to
say,
One-Shot
lives
life
on
his
own
terms
and
is
a
local
hero
amongst
his
friends.
But
all
that
changes
when
he
meets
Pinky.
Pinky
works
at
a
mall,
but
is
a
kickass
dancer
on
skates.
Strong-headed,
talented
and
fiercely
ambitious,
she
aspires
to
rise
above
all
the
'losers'
living
in
her
locality
and
carve
a
niche
for
herself.
Two
different
personalities.
Two
different
lives.
Destined
to
meet.
Lafangey
Parindey
starts
with
gusto!
Also,
it
moves
on
a
singular
path,
without
diversifying
into
unwanted
sub-plots
and
superfluous
characters.
In
fact,
the
story
takes
off
at
the
commencement
of
the
film
itself
and
how
Neil
and
Deepika's
lives
get
intertwined
makes
for
interesting
viewing.
The
film
has
some
truly
engaging
moments
and
most
of
them
are
in
its
first
hour.
Sequences
between
Neil
and
Deepika
after
the
accident
are
wonderful
and
keep
you
hooked.
However,
things
begin
to
slacken
in
the
post-interval
portions,
when
the
love
story
takes
over
and
Neil
and
Deepika
realize
that
they
share
a
deeper
bond.
Just
when
things
are
about
to
go
downhill,
the
climax
happens
and
Lafangey
Parindey
is
back
on
track.
In
fact,
the
drama
in
the
finale
-
when
Deepika
and
Neil
have
to
perform
the
final
act
for
a
television
show
-
is
the
highpoint
of
this
film.
The
skating
sequences
and
choreography
are
stunning
and
awe-inspiring.
Blemishes?
Oh
yes!
The
love
story
is
conventional
and
dreary.
Also,
the
investigating
officer's
track
is
half-baked
and
looks
like
an
add-on.
Besides,
the
film
is
embellished
with
a
mediocre
musical
score
(R.
Anandh).
Also,
the
Bambaiya
Hindi
has
its
limitations.
Like
I
pointed
out
earlier,
Neil
is
the
wrong
choice
for
this
part.
Also,
he
lacks
the
fire
to
carry
off
the
role
with
flourish.
Lafangey
Parindey
clearly
belongs
to
Deepika
Padukone,
who
suits
the
character
and
enacts
it
with
such
competence
that
it
leaves
you
amazed.
The
pretty
lass
is
only
getting
better
with
every
film.
Piyush
Mishra
is
first-rate.
Kay
Kay
Menon
is
okay
in
a
brief
role.
The
friends,
each
them,
leave
a
mark.
Especially
Namit
Das,
who's
wonderful.
Shiamak
Davar,
Juhi
Chawla
and
Javed
Jafferi
feature
in
brief
roles.
On
the
whole,
Lafangey
Parindey
may
be
predictable,
but
is
engaging
and
entertaining
nonetheless.
A
decent
watch!
Director:
Pradeep
Sarkar
Cast:Neil
Nitin
Mukesh,
Deepika
Padukone,
Kay
Kay
Menon,
Piyush
Mishra,
Manish
Choudhary,
Namit
Das,
Amey
Pandya