Released this week in U.P., Aaradhaya Arts and Agam Films Production’s Lucknow Junction (UA) is the story of an honest and daredevil police officer who cleanses the state of Uttar Pradesh where rapes, gang wars and extortions have been taking a toll on the lives of innocent people.
Vijay Pal Singh’s story is routine and since it deals with one state (U.P.), it holds more relevance for people of that state. The screenplay, written by Vijay Pal Singh and Ankit Surya, abounds in clichés. There is not even a hint of novelty or freshness as one hackneyed scene after another unfolds on the screen. Yes, the public of U.P. might feel excited because of the local flavour and colour but even they will find the general drama oft-repeated. The duo’s dialogues are routine.
Kaishav Arora does a fair job. Alina Rai is so-so. Rahul Roy does an average job. Zakir Hussain is as usual. Ehsan Khan is alright. Amit Behl is quite effective. Geetanjali Mishra, Kirti Verma, Kumar Shashi Vardhan, Anit Pal, Sukhdev Singh, Kuldeep Singh and Tahir Kamaal Khan provide ordinary support. Sapna Chaudhary stands out in a song-dance number.
Vijay Pal Singh’s direction is okay. Music (Anupama Raag, Liyakat Ajmeri, Vaishnav Deva and Harsh Sharma) is nice. The ‘Banwla banwla’ song is very well-tuned. Lyrics (Sudhakar Sharma, Husna Khan and Kuldeep Singh) are easy on the lips. Song picturisations (choreographed by Ajun Gaikwar and C. Jhaveri) are fairly appealing. Vaishnav Deva’s background music is average. Om’s camerawork is of a good standard. Action scenes and stunts, choreographed by Mukesh Rathod, are functional. Vijay Pal Singh’s editing is alright.
On the whole, Lucknow Junction is too ordinary a fare to do anything substantive at the box-office. Of course, business in Lucknow and surrounding areas will be somewhat better because of the title.