Selfiee, directed by Raj Mehta, is a Hindi-language dramedy film starring Akshay Kumar, Emraan Hashmi, Diana Penty, and Nushrratt Bharuccha in pivotal roles. It’s an official remake of the Malayalam film Driving Licence, but with notable changes in the script that suit the Hindi audience’s palette.
Ego Clash: The Battle of a Superstar and his Biggest Fan
Story and Screenplay:
The story revolves around superstar Vijay Kumar (Akshay), who needs a driving license urgently to finish the climax of his film and save the producer from incurring losses. His die-hard fan and RTO officer, Om Prakash Aggarwal (Emraan Hashmi), is given the task to help the actor. Om agrees to fulfil the task without following the usual tedious process and asks for a selfie as a gesture in return.
Things take a murky turn when a misunderstanding leads to their feud becoming prime time news, and it becomes a battle of egos between a superstar and his fan. The screenplay is engaging and doesn’t let you have too many dull moments. It covers the emotional side of being a husband, a father, and balancing it all with their respective jobs.
Selfiee has ditched the serious undertones of the original and laced the writing with a lot of humor. The film follows the tried-and-tested formula of portraying actors as superstars on screen, bringing various aspects of a star’s life and their connection with the common man. It’s seemingly becoming a trend for filmmakers to experiment with this concept and create movies within movies, resulting in double the fun for audiences.
Direction and Editing:
Director Raj Mehta has done an impressive job of adapting Driving Licence to the Hindi audience. His direction shines through the film’s engaging screenplay, ensuring that the movie doesn’t become monotonous or dull. Mehta’s attempt to add humor to the film pays off well, and the transition between serious and comic scenes is seamless.
The movie’s pacing is well-maintained, ensuring that the audience is hooked throughout. The editing by Manish More is crisp and helps the film keep the pace moving, even during the slower scenes. The two-hour runtime feels appropriate for the story’s scope and doesn’t leave any dull moments.
Songs and Background Score
The music of “Selfiee” is a blend of various composers and styles, and it fits the mood of the film. Anu Malik, Tanishk Bagchi, Yo Yo Honey Singh, The PropheC, Lijo George-DJ Chetas, Vikram Montrose, Aditya Yadav, and Tarun are the composers behind the music of the film. Each composer brings their unique style, and the result is a mix of peppy and soulful tracks.
The songs of the film are situational, and they add to the narrative. The track “Kudiyee Ni Teri Vibe” stands out, with Akshay Kumar grooving with Mrunal Thakur in a visually stunning song. The remixed version of “Main Khiladi Tu Anari” that comes during the end credits is a definite party number and not to be missed.
The background score of the film is well-crafted and complements the mood of the scenes. It blends in seamlessly with the narrative, and the music enhances the emotions of the scenes.
Cinematography
Rajeev Ravi‘s cinematography captures the essence of the film beautifully. The film is shot in various locations, and each location has a unique feel. The visuals are striking, and the camera work enhances the overall viewing experience. The use of natural lighting in some of the scenes adds a touch of realism to the film.
Performances
The performances in Selfiee are one of the strongest points of the movie.
Akshay Kumar as superstar Vijay Kumar is exceptional in his role, bringing his own charm, swag and personality to the character. His performance as the superstar is highly relatable and convincing, and he seamlessly transitions into the emotional and vulnerable moments of the character.
Emraan Hashmi as the diehard fan and RTO officer Om Prakash Aggarwal delivers a noteworthy performance. Although he is a bit loud and over-the-top at times, his portrayal of the obsessed fan is spot-on and highly engaging.
The chemistry between Akshay and Emraan is impressive, and they both manage to hold their ground in the face-off scenes.
The supporting cast also delivers noteworthy performances.
Mahesh Thakur as Vijay’s manager is earnest in his role, while Meghna Malik as politico Vimla Tiwari is hilarious with her comic timing and given some funny lines. Abhimanyu Singh as Vijay’s contemporary provides comic relief and is hilarious in his scenes. However, his acting caliber is underutilized in the script, as is the case with Paritosh Tripathi and Kusha Kapila, who appear and disappear as per convenience.
Unfortunately, the female characters are underutilized and have very little to do in the film.
Nushrratt Bharuccha as Om Prakash’s wife is caring but has a quirky side to her. Even though she doesn’t approve of her husband’s obsession with a star, she doesn’t mind flexing in the front of the whole colony when the husband is enjoying his 2 minutes of fame on news channels on TV.
Diana Penty as Vijay’s wife exists in the script only because there needed to be an emotional arch to the script and that the superstar can use that track to deliver an emotional speech in the climax. Other than that, Diana doesn’t really get much scope to perform or show her acting chops. Even her scenes with Akshay aren’t anything great or something that will make you sit and take notice of their chemistry.
Action and Choreography:
Selfiee is not a film that is filled with high octane action sequences, but it does have a few well-crafted scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The fight sequences between Akshay Kumar and Emraan Hashmi are executed brilliantly, and the two actors have done an excellent job with their choreography.
The car chase scenes are also noteworthy, with Rajeev Ravi’s cinematography bringing the excitement to life. The film’s action sequences are slick and stylish, which is not surprising given the action director Sunil Rodrigues. While the movie doesn’t have a lot of action, the few scenes that it has are well executed and do a good job of adding excitement to the film.
Costume Design and Art Direction:
Selfiee’s costume design and art direction are top-notch. The film’s costumes are stylish and trendy, which is expected in a film that is centered around the life of a superstar. Akshay Kumar’s costumes are particularly noteworthy, as they are a perfect blend of style and comfort.
The art direction is also commendable, with the film’s sets being grand and lavish. The film’s locations are well-chosen, with the RTO office, Mumbai’s streets, and Vijay’s luxurious home being some of the standout locations. The film’s overall production design is impressive and is a testament to the hard work put in by the art department.
Conclusion:
Selfiee is a well-made film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The film’s story is engaging, and the performances are exceptional.
Raj Mehta’s direction is commendable, and the film’s screenplay is tight and engaging. The film’s music is top-notch, and the cinematography is outstanding.
The action sequences are well choreographed and executed, and the film’s costume design and art direction are top-notch. Overall, Selfiee is a film that is definitely worth watching.
Rating: 2.5/5
Summary of 12 Reviews and Star Ratings:
- Times of India – 3/5
- Hindustan Times – 3.5/5
- NDTV – 2/5
- News18 – 2.5/5
- Indian Express – 2.5/5
- Firstpost – 2/5
- Filmibeat – 3/5
- Koimoi – 3/5
- Pinkvilla – 3/5
- Bollywood Hungama – 3/5
- Film Companion – 2.5/5
- Filmfare – 3/5
Average Star Rating: 2.75/5
Selfiee is a movie that has received mixed reviews from critics. While some critics have praised the film for its entertainment value and performances, others have criticized it for its lack of originality and weak plot.
The average star rating for the film is 2.75/5, which indicates that the film is worth watching but is not a must-watch. Overall, Selfiee is a movie that will appeal to fans of Akshay Kumar and those who enjoy light-hearted entertainers.
This movie is now streaming on Disney Hotstar!
