Half Girlfriend hams it up all the way

‘Half Girlfriend’ based on eponymous Chetan Bhagat’s book, falters from the word go. The narrative of the film is so convoluted and goes back and forth that one cannot just get hooked to it. When you are fidgeting with your smartphone barely minutes into the film, you can say something is amiss.

Madhav Jha, a boy from rural Bihar, played by Arjun Kapoor comes across as a character one can relate to. However, that wasn’t the case, Kapoor, who was good in his debut ‘Ishaqzaade’ and ‘Gunday’ hams it in this film. He has only two expressions, if he is not looking longingly at Shraddha Kapoor, he looks sullen.

In one of the scenes in the film, which leads to break up of the pair, Arjun Kapoor overdoes the psychotic act and less said the better about his performance towards the end. Even though, Shraddha Kapoor’s role has many layers to it but she fails to impress. Neither is she convincing as a basketball player nor as a wannabe singer. She only makes us to forgive Justin Bieber’s lip syncing as she does a horrible job of lip syncing to songs.

Arjun Kapoor too tries his best to manage Bihari accent but his delivery appears as if he is mocking it. Ever reliable Vikrant Massey, who plays Arjun Kapoor’s loyal friend Shailesh, nails the accent and performance. The talent of Seema Biswas, who donned the role of Arjun Kapoor’s mother, was wasted.

It is a disappointing film from director Mohit Suri, who gave us heart-touching film ‘Aashiqui 2’ and dark film ‘Ek Villain’. Perhaps remaining faithful to the book was his undoing. Chetan Bhagat’s take on college love and romance didn’t suit Suri, who in his previous films gave us fabulous love stories to root for.

Only saving grace of the film is songs, having nearly 10 tracks is the only plus for the movie. Oh by the way, there is a tacky scene in the film in which face of Bill Gates was imposed on a body double, in case you are watching the film, please do not miss the scene, it gives you a chance to laugh at badly done CGI.

If you have read the book, you know there is no point in watching it. If you have not read the book, save yourself and do not watch the film. Instead go to Youtube and listen to the fantastic tracks scored by Mithoon and others. Barring ‘Hello’, famed novelist Chetan Bhagat’s adaptations spun box-office magic like `3 Idiots’ and ‘2 States’ besides winning critical acclaim. However, his latest adaptation, which he co-produced along with Ekta Kapoor, has all the trappings of a loser.

Film Name : Half Girlfriend

Cast : Arjun Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Vikrant Massey, Seema Biswas and others
Direction : Mohit Suri
Genre : Love story
Likes : Aggressive pace of the film
Dislikes : Slow second half

By Aditya Parankusam