Future East Film and The Global Film Initiative’s Miss Lovely (A) is the story of two brothers, Vicky Duggal (Anil George) and Sonu Duggal (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), who make semi-pornographic films, which are then sold for inclusion in normal films. Obviously, young girls ready to expose and participate in love-making scenes are constantly required. Vicky directs the films and younger brother Sonu goes to sell the ‘bits’.
The process involves supplying the starlets to the financiers for nights of passion. One day, in the course of his work, Sonu meets Pinky (Niharika Singh) who is desperate to act in films of the kind made by the Duggal brothers. Sonu promises to launch her by himself turning a director. He even starts collecting money for his film by stealing the same from his brother’s account. The two also fall in love with one another. But before Sonu can start his film, Vicky spots Pinky and recognises her. Pinky had interacted with Vicky but as Sonika.
Vicky and Sonu spar over Pinky/Sonika. Even as more semi-pornographic films are being shot, the police one day raid the shooting venue and arrest the actors and unit members including Sonu. Once Sonu is out of prison, he confronts Vicky. What happens then? Does Sonu unite in matrimony with Pinky?
The story, by Ashim Ahluwalia, is quite scattered and it does not really engage the viewers. Screenplay, penned by Ashim Ahluwalia and Uttam Sirur, is equally disjointed and unengaging. The characters, enacted by mostly new actors, haven’t been established because of which comprehending the drama becomes even more difficult. No doubt, portions of the film are realistic but that can’t be the reason for the audience to like them. Also, the entire film has a very depressing feel to it, making it so much less enjoyable for the audience. The climax is dull, drab and dreary. Even Ashim Ahluwalia’s dialogues (with additional dialogues by Mushfiq Khan and Aaditya Bharadwaj) are commonplace.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is very natural and makes the scenes watchable. Niharika Singh is okay. Anil George does a fair job. Zeena Bhatia (as Poonam), Menaka Lalwani (as Nadia), Ragesh Asthana (as P.K.), Manoj Bakshi (as Heera), Alka Punewar (as the hotel receptionist), Akhilesh Tiwari (as the cameraman), Arun Kumar Vagal (as Jolly), Retwika Dey (as Nadia’s mother), Ravin and Nivedita Jana (both as porn actors), Swati Iyengar (as Vicky’s wife ) and the others provide ordinary support.
Ashim Ahluwalia’s direction doesn’t add much to the script. His narration is unable to involve the audience. Music (Ilaiyaraja, Piero Umiliani, Biddu and Nazia Hassan) is functional. Kamal Nath’s choreography is nothing to shout about. Background music (by Egisto Macchi and Masta Justy) is fair. Mohanan’s camerawork (with additional photography by Avijit Mukul Kishore) is effective. Mohammad Aslam’s action and stunts pass muster. Sets (Ashim Ahluwalia, Tabasheer Zutshi and Parichit Paralkar) are in keeping with the mood of the film. Ashim Ahluwalia and Paresh Kamdar’s editing leaves something to be desired.
On the whole, Miss Lovely is a fare more suited for the festival circuit. At the box-office, its run will be far from lovely. Flop.
Released on 17-1-’14 at Inox (daily 1 show), New Excelsior (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Easel Films and White Lion Entertainment. Publicity: dull. Opening: very poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.