Aryan Review

The problem with even a somewhat attractive film is that when it is in news for too long and doesn't get released long after its publicity has staled, the desperate measures to ignite curiosity at a late hour don't really work. That's exactly what happens with Abhishek Kapoor's `Aryan' where Sohail `Rocky' Khan liberally takes tips from the Sylvester Stallone boxing flicks and with a little help from Anand Raj Anand's foot-tapping numbers aims for a knock out punch. But alas.Seen-it-before-dude feeling doesn't salvage much good news for this tepid masala film.

Aryan (Sohail Khan) is the best boxer in Coach Ranveer (Puneet Issar's) big plans. But wife Neha (Sneha Ullal) doesn't approve of Aryan's deadly sport. He gives it all up for wife and son but takes up the mantle of excellence once again. Neha has left him and he has no one to fall back upon. The entire premise is very similar to a plethora of escapades of Rocky Balboa as to how he gives it all up for family just to get back in the ring one more time for the sake of pride and dignity.

First things first, how can you cast Sneha Ullal in the role of a mother. She is just way too young (and looks even younger than what she actually is) to portray the motherly figure. Inder Kumar as the baddie boxer is a way too over the top making it unbearable to sit through this film. Sohail Khan looks earnest. Alright he looks like a boxer but with that factory of teakwood on his face he just can't act to save his life. Sneha is a pretty face. But that's about it. Puneet Issar is the best thing about the film. For he looks like a coach and his motivation techniques are really inspiring.

Anand Raj's music is consistently likable. Neelabh Kaul's cinematography is impressive and catches the various nuances of fights and emotional situations well. Finally director Abhishek Kapoor should come up with a really innovative idea if he wants to direct another movie. For this one hardly registers or stays in mind once it is finished. One thinks Sohail Khan has made the right decision of turning a director once again. For, at least he has some success to show there. As an actor he is not happening at all.

Star Rating: *