Film Review 'Banjo': Where the notes end flat

Banjo could have been a musical of promise but it ends up as a medley in cacophony, writes Deepa Gauri

The rather unique and exciting premise of Banjo, by National Award-winning film director Ravi Jadhav, goes for a toss right into its first few minutes. And that is not because Nargis Fakhri enters the scene with her rank bad acting, although she adds her bit to the damage. 
It  is sad because Banjo could have been the desi-version of Slumdog Millionaire meets Sound of Music but ends up as a highly convoluted Bollywood-ised product, with characters that are undefined or predictable, and situations highly contrived. 
The effort to bring in comedy using all the usual plot points only add to the confusion and spoil the narrative strength. The only redeeming feature is its music by Vishal-Shekhar, only the placement of the songs is off. 
So we have Taraat, played by Riteish Deshmukh, who is a street goon by day and banjo musician by night. His team of rag-tag musicians is similarly multi-tasking; one is always up to domestic chores, and the other is a mechanic (who for some reason has a serious issue with his skin colour). 
Cut to New York, where there is DJ Chris (Nargis) is seeking an original sound so that she can enter a music fest and open the show. Her New York mooring is a convenient excuse to gloss over her accented dialogue delivery, but then, she is being introduced to the underground sounds of Mumbai by a 'foreigner' who speaks chaste Hindi. 
Well, if it was intended to serve as some sort of social satire on the state of things, it really doesn't work because most of the characters in the film are cardboard with no real depth of identity. 
And so we have Chris arriving in Mumbai, who for some reason must also do 'research' on the city's slums. And who else but Taraat is delegated the role of chaperoning her! Thus rolls out the film on a convoluted plot that, of course, will bring fame to the desi band and romance for the hero. 
There is everything in Banjo except the soul it should have celebrated - of music and the lives of these immensely talented banjo musicians. Instead, it revels in Bollywood clichés and stereotypes. Totally confused as to whether to make it a statement on Mumbai or a romance or a comedy, Banjo meanders on tiresomely. 
On the good side, there are some great references to the unseen underbelly of Mumbai but by making them 'filmy,' Jadhav loses an opportunity to spin the magic that he has created in Marathi movies such as Natarang (his award-winning film, which too chronicles music but in a rustic setting). 
The film is also failed by its lead actors. Riteish Deshmukh does not show the flair or command to guide a solo hero movie or sink into the role of the multi-faceted protagonist. He opts to play it as filmy as he can. The less said the better about Nargis Fakhri. She is lost in the proceedings and other than the usual pouting, where situations call for some inspired acting, she crumbles as an actress. 
Banjo could have been a refreshing movie experience on a milieu less explored; instead, in the rush to play to the gallery, it turns out dull with all notes ending flat. 
Banjo
Directed by Ravi Jadhav
Starring: Riteish Deshmukh and Nargis Fakhri
Now playing at theatres in the UAE
Rating: 1.5/5