Movie review: Nautanki Saala, Ayushmann does well

The plot unveils in Mumbai where Ram (Ayushmann Khurana) is a theater actor-director and one night he comes across Mandar Lele (Kunaal Roy Kapoor) who is full of negative vibes and wants to end his life. Ram not only saves him from committing suicide but also works as a Godfather in resurrecting his life and reuniting him with his girlfriend Nandini (Pooja). But in his attempt, Ram himself falls for her, dumping his own girlfriend Chitra (Gaelyn). How he manages to come out of this chaos? That's how the story deals further.Rohan Sippy, unlike his earlier flicks, has changed the dimension towards Mumbai locale and theatres and has peeked into the arenas where light-hearted dramas are enacted. The Director has given attention to the golden touch which our local theatres deliver through its dramas. The subject matter goes messy thereby. The love story, or say a love angle-cum-love triangle going parallel creates confusion in the spectators minds similar to the lead pairs are in their love life.Apart from exploring love, ‘Nautanki Saala!' predominantly focuses on how the destinies of two men get locked in the most unusual way, leaving them immensely attached and their loyalties constantly tested through quirky challenges and undesirable temptations. Screenplay by Rohan and his team including Nipun Dharmadhikari, Charudutt Acharya takes the familiar route and leaves a faint impression.The first half keeps you happy with its witty humour while the second half tests your patience. Despite everything, it's the extraordinary performance which we can't just stop to adore. Just one flick old Ayushamann Khurana and Kunaal Roy Kapoor recreate their magic in the flick and save the flow in the worst parts. Ayushmann looks confident in each scene he delivers and is humorous with excellent timing. Kunaal brings forward the same confusion he carried in Delhi Belly and tickles the funny bones with no extra effort. His drama scenes on stage couldn't be forgotten. What disappoints us most in the acting department is Pooja Salvi's under rehearsed performance who shimmers more in terms of her physical display but looks reserved while she utters her dialogues. Even after being the leading actress, she is overshadowed by the female supporting cast. Gaelyn is beautiful and excels in every scene, while Evelyn Sharma, though she doesn't get too much, yet she does her job.Falak Shabir, Mikey McCleary and Rashid Khan jointly have composed a melodius album. Most of the songs are situational while Saddi Gali and Mera Mann are the favourite picks.I'll go with two and a half stars for Nautanki Saala. Its a superfluously uncomplicated drama which doesn't need much of your brain but entertains with certain humour.