Critics Rating:1 Stars*

Cast: Jimmy Sheirgill, Mohit Marwah, Kiara Advani, Vijender Singh, Arfi Lamba.

Direction: Kabir Sadanand.

Produced: Ashvini Yardi, Alka Bhatia, Akshay Kumar.

Genre: Comedy Drama.

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes.

Here’s the plot. A group of reckless teenagers get into a spot. A corrupt police officer demands hush money for ensuring that they do not remain in said spot. Attempts to drum up the exorbitant sum are largely unsuccessful. This probably sounds like a reference to Shaitan. But it isn’t.

Instead you get Fugly. A film that is so ill-conceived and lacking in redeeming moments that you consider self-immolation in the manner of the stoic hero in the opening scene (tacky special effects, by the way). He is seeking redemption, groans Dev (Mohit Marwah) while being wheeled into Fortis. What for? The reasons are vague. Frankly, it is nothing worth bothering your head over.

 

Flashback to five years ago. Why specifically five years ago? Not explained. But that is when Dev and his friends Devi (Kiara Advani), Gaurav (Vijender Singh) and Hagu/Aditya (Arfi Lamba) are carefree, partying and running an adventure camp in Leh.

(Dev and Devi. Some might consider it a cue for a snigger.)

They take time off to discuss the future in a profound, contemplative deliberation. Sample the following scene:

The four youngsters sit huddled in a circle, outside their camp. Devi initiates the conversation, translated for your benefit, which goes as follows –

Devi – What is it that we see every day but can’t pluck?

Dev – Stars.

Devi – What is written in the stars?

Another friend – The future.

Dev does mutter something about how one can’t rely on falling stars for destiny, but that semblance of a decent line is lost in the aforementioned drivel. It is also a self-referential moment for Vijender Singh as his character, an aspiring boxer, stands under the stars and imagines the sounds of a cheering audience.

Next is Aditya aka Hagu, who sees the constellations take the form of a commode. Why a commode? Because he has a small bladder. It is supposed to be funny.

Anyway, things take a serious turn when Devi is molested by a lecherous shopkeeper and the boys decide to get even. Of course, the already haphazard plan goes for a toss and Haryanvi cop RS Chautala (Jimmy Sheirgill with an awkward, inconsistent moustache) begins to blackmail them for cash.

 

In this tense situation, where they do not even confide in their families, the protagonists manage to find time to cram in a few song-dance and comic sequences. It is only when you see the film do you realise how terribly misplaced they are.

One of them includes a homosexual man (terrible stereotyping at work) soliciting his ‘services’ to Hagu, something he does by pouncing on him in the middle of an empty street. This scene is played for laughs. If Devi’s molestation is the trigger-point for the whole drama, why is Hagu’s getting fondled intended to be funny?

The second half is when the youth are really in a pickle and some unclear political schemes are put to play. You are beyond the point of caring by then. The story meanders as do you with it, resignedly.

Fugly tries its hand at symbolism with Gaurav wearing a Bhagat Singh t-shirt and also attempts a socio-political message like having publicly-conducted enquiries. Sadly, this is no Rang De Basanti.

Little can be said about the cast of newcomers, who have been cut a raw deal with this tripe. It will probably take them another film to prove their acting chops. Talented actors like Jimmy Sheirgill and Anshuman Jha get thankless, forgettable roles in this outing.

There is mention about how Fugly is a Fight Against The Ugly. Unfortunately, this film contributes more to the ugly than to anything meaningful. Avoid. There are better films out there, waiting to be discovered.