T-Series Films and Kathputhli Creations’ Nazar Andaaz is the story of a blind man. Sudhirbhai (Kumud Mishra) is blind since birth. He loves to live life to the fullest. He gives shelter to Bhavani (Divya Dutta) and Ali (Abhishek Banerjee). While Bhavani has run away from home because of ill-treatment, Ali is a pick-pocket whom Sudhirbhai reforms. Bhavani cooks and keeps the house for Sudhirbhai. Together, the three are happy. Sudhirbhai has made a will to bequeath all his wealth. Both, Bhavani and Ali, try to be in Sudhirbhai’s good books so that all his wealth may be inherited by them. In fact, each of them tries to ward off competition from the other by indirectly impressing upon Sudhirbhai that s/he and only s/he should be named as the sole inheritor in his will. One day, Sudhirbhai decides to go to Mandvi. Bhavani and Ali accompany him. What they see there surprises them. What happens thereafter?
Laxman Utekar and Vikrant Deshmukh have written an offbeat story. The first half meanders here and there without really creating much of an impact but the story becomes more pronounced post-interval. Rishi Virmani’s screenplay is good in the latter part of the film only. This is also when the drama picks pace. The portion when the trio reaches Mandvi captures the audience’s attention because it springs some surprises. Having said that, it must be added that the drama is basically meant for the class audience only. The pre-climax and the climax touch the heart. Rishi Virmani’s dialogues are realistic.
Kumud Mishra does a marvellous job as Sudhirbhai. He plays the blind man with such ease that it is admirable. His facial expressions and body language are phenomenal. Divya Dutta is wonderful in the role of Bhavani. Her brilliance as an actress is evident quite often. Abhishek Banerjee delivers as Ali. He comes up with a natural performance. Rajeshwari Sachdeva leaves a fine mark in a special appearance as Mohini. Shyam Bhimsaria (as the lawyer), Parth Mehta (as the young Sudhir) and Deep Jyoti Das (as Sudhir’s childhood friend, Mohan) are adequate. Others provide fair support.
Vikrant Deshmukh’s direction is alright for a debut attempt. His handling of the drama in the second half is quite mature. Vishal Mishra’s music goes with the mood of the film. Although the songs are not of the popular variety, they are fairly appealing in the film. Rajshekhar’s lyrics are quite nice. Vishal Mishra’s background music is so-so. Rakesh Omprakash Singh’s camerawork is of a good standard. Afzal Usman Khan’s action and stunts are functional. Ramendra Nath Das’ production designing, and Mayur Bijwe’s art direction are fairly good. Manish Pradhan’s editing is crisp.
On the whole, Nazar Andaaz has some merits post-interval but a weak first half, lack of promotion and awareness about the very existence of the film as also a very limited release will ensure that the film goes largely unnoticed on the big screen. Its performance on the OTT platform (when it is released on Netflix) will be better.
Released on 7-10-’22 at Movie Time Goregaon (daily 1 show) and another cinema of Bombay thru AA Films. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over.