Ludo

Story

The movie unfolds over the game of Ludo, where the narrator (Basu, director) explains the anthology to an inquisitive questioner. It explores topics of value and vice, crime and morality, bliss and ordeal, future and suffering through converging circumstances. It all starts with a chain of events triggered by Rahul Satyendra Tripathi alias Sattu Bhaiyya (Pankaj Tripathi), a gangster who wants to control his gang members and save a whopping sum of money accrued from past crimes. Sheeja Thomas (Pearle Maaney), an aspiring nurse who recently came to north India from Kerala. Batukeshwar Tiwari alias Bittu Bhaiyya (Abhishek Bachchan), has just been released from jail and is grieving his wife's (Asha Negi) death. A lady Pinky (Fatima Sana Shaikh) with her ex-lover, Alok Kumar Gupta aka Aalu (Rajkummar Rao). Akash Chauhan (Aditya Roy Kapur), a voice-over artist and ventriloquist madly in love with Shruti Choksi (Sanya Malhotra), who is looking for a wealthy man. A homeless salesperson (Rohit Suresh Saraf), and above all get together into the chain of events comprising of betrayal, sex-tape, an unwary love affair, and a kidnap plan went astray leading to a potential comedy of errors.  

Review 

Anuraj Basu has done exceptionally well with a black comedy genre like this, which is not often attempted in Bollywood. The movie reminds viewers of a similar one tried by Abhinay Deo with Delhi Belly in 2011.  

The movie has a mixture of violence, heartache, and pathos, which people get involved in and inflict on others. Yet the comedy takes center stage throughout, a brilliant work for which Basu deserves applause.   

Though many characters are involved in the narrative, all of them played by notable stars, none fail to impact. Each subplot is given equal importance, and while different actors in the story may face chaos over the randomness of situations, the editing by Ajay Sharma ensures that the viewer does not.   

A full-on entertainment to watch after a long time. Every prominent star in the movie has played their part exceedingly well. 

Verdict   

A dark comedy certainly for the grown-ups. A not-to-miss film in its Genre.