Toofan movie review: Farhan Akhtar packs a punch

Toofan movie synopsis

Dongri ka gunda Aziz Ali aka Ajju Bhai (Farhan Akhtar) is an orphan toughie working for the local gang leader Mahesh (Vijay Raaz). During one of his assignment Aziz Ali gets injured and he accidently bumps into Dr. Ananya (Mrunal Thakur) working in a local charity clinic.

As love between Aziz and Ananya starts blossoming, Aziz gets introduced to the world of boxing. Aziz develops an instant passion for the sport and joins the coaching of a known name in boxing during his times veteran coach Nana Prabhu (Paresh Rawal). Nana is a great coach but he has grudges against the Muslim community due to a personal loss due to terrorism.

Anyhow, Aziz determination overpowers Nana’s narrow mindedness and he agrees to train Aziz.

Hell breaks loose when Nana comes to know that her Hindu daughter is madly in love with Aziz - a Muslim guy.

Going mad at Aziz, he alleges him for love jihad and disowns him as his disciple.

Aziz losses the State finals and also gets framed in a betting scandal resulting in a ban for five years.

What happens next?

OTT movie review Toofan

A jab at love jihad that misses the knockout punch but scores on sticking to the rules of a populist romantic sports drama. Toofan is more thunder and less lightening but the rains do fall thanks to the touchy moments and terrific Farhan Akhtar.

With names like Anjum Rajabali and Vijay Maurya as writers and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra as the director, Toofan can give a feeling to many that it’s a smart move to question the love jihad controversy.

However, the writer director duo fails to give it a healthy discussion and settle as a populist rom com cum sports drama. Nothing wrong with it but punches chahiye thein more.

In a nutshell, Toofan is an amalgamation of all the sports movie clichés seen right from Rocky, To Sultan To Dangal but in no way it’s a Raging Bull or Creed to that matter.

Performances

The performances are the saving grace. Farhan Akhtar is outstanding. He has worked very hard and the effort shows. Entertaining and nuanced Farhan gives a remarkably brilliant performance in Toofan.

Mrunal Thakur as Dr. Ananya oozes fresh air and is charming throughout.

Paresh Rawal as Coach Nana Prabhu is incredible.

Vijay Raaz as Mahesh has his moments.

Mohan Agashe is sheer class.

Hussain Dalal is passable.

Darshan Kumar is fabulous.

Supriya Pathak is wasted.

Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra as IBF Secretary is okay but he is not an actor.

Narration by Vijay Raaz is fine.

Technicalities

Cinematography Jay Oza is excellent. Editing by Meghna Sen is as per director’s desire. Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Dub Sharma, Samuel-Akanksha moves with the movie. Production Design by Nandini Shrikent is apt. Art Direction by Rajat Poddar is decent.

Flaws

This Toofan could have been a volcano in real but alas.

Any dialogues in Toofan will use in life

No

Toofan final words

Toofan final words

Watch it for Farhan Akhtar’s determination.