PAF Reviews : 4. Antaragini

So it’s time for the last paf review of the season “Antaragini”. I would apologize in the beginning itself for over use of the phrase “PROD TOH GOOOODMAXXX THAAA”. I really can’t help but going to this point again and again.

With the preview of the paf concentrating more on prod rather than script dance etc; they sure had built a curiosity about it before the paf started. When the stage opened, it was decent mall, a petrol pump (very realistic at that), and a fame adlabs box office. My reaction was nice… they have made a good prod. Little did I know that this was just the tip of the iceberg. With little over 7 mins (relying on zen for the time calculation) they transformed the mall to a life size bandra station. Not just a few things … the transformation was from tip to toe, every FRAME, every backdrop changed. Also they didn’t miss out on detailing too. As if an illuminated weighing machine and an over bridge was not enough, they had a moving cctv camera in the corner too. And after this heavy dinner to digest they brought in the special desert, the gem…. THE LOCAL TRAIN. Realistic as I have ever seen, stable enough to have choreo junta dancing on top of it and illuminated brilliantly to give it the touch of perfection. I guess any civil professor would be very happy to watch them execute this HUMONGOUS prod so neatly.

Ok so enough about the prod, lets get to other things. For me this PAF was like a bollywood movie, fast paced exciting very well shot in the first half, but then slowly the story looses track, and it almost seems like the director didn’t know how to end it. The most disappointing part of the paf was script and direction. I guess they themselves had acknowledged that story is very simple, but then again when so much effort is being put in other things, so many experiments (successful at that) in other departments, one expects the story to be at least engaging and a bit logical till the end. Right after the meeting of the AD with the producer, the story was kind of obvious. The end too was a bit abrupt and left many questions unanswered. Also many scenes (even if I neglect the petrol pump scene when the prod was being changed) were stretched without any purpose. It was almost as if they started with brilliant ideas (photo story, use of mall, etc) but then lost it halfway in the script. Also all the scenes needed much more direction, especially the shooting scenes. The lack of defined screenplay made the actors look a bit lost and took away the momentum built by the energetic choreos. But as for other elements, kudos on : 1. Experiments 2. Implementation and 3. Entertainment. Agreed there were a couple of unnecessary choreos, but they were entertaining none the less. Special mention for the little guy in blue shirt, who did the acrobats on the flying ring. Humor from script as well as the choreos was more or less well received. Jabs at Panchi re and ramleela were expected but still amusing. Music was average, but the title OC was quite melodious. But the plan of performing the ost of ‘little miss sunshine’ rather than playing the original for choreo didn’t work out as the track sounded a bit childish. Acting was good in patches, and more often lacked direction rather than talent or effort. Lighting was brilliant. Not only was the light detailing in the petrol pump and train outstanding, but its inclusion in the script time and again was also a clap worthy idea.


All in all it was a very good paf, but had the potential of being one of the all time greats if it had a better 2nd half of script. Still no doubt in saying that of all the pafs till date this was the best prod I have ever seen. This is the only prod which beats the golden temple from 1984. Pupun is right in reviews, prod junta ke haat kaat do.

All in all it has been an entertaining PAF season, and such prods have boosted alumni confidence that this culture won’t just die off. Yesterday when I went to see the paf I was expecting the results before I wrote this review. But as that is not the case it is an unasked question for me not only to rate this paf, but also guess the ranks of all 4.

Well as per individual rating goes I would give this one 8.5/10. I gave the same rating to Panchi re too. In fact for ranks too it is this close, and would come down to individual choices I guess. If possible I would give both a combined first, but I can hear the boos for that already :P. So here goes, my official guess:

1. Antaragini
2. Panchi re ( very close second)
3. Mai maati
4. Ramleela

Discussion, Criticism, disagreements are welcome…. ACCUSATIONS ARE NOT.

Signing off with thanks for all the responses

Golani