Themes of migration, loneliness in a big city, greed, aspirational lifestyle, environment degradation, alienation, adaptation to new and alien ways, attitudinal shifts, parental neglect and many more jostle for space in a narrative that lacks focus and prefers to get frequently waylaid by unnecessary song and dance.

The film essentially is a series of half-baked attempts at exploring a bouquet of unconnected themes. Social commentary needs mature filmmaking, and Aisa Yeh Jahaan falls far short.

This film, which calls itself ‘India’s first carbon neutral film’, and which wants to talk up ecology and conservation, and the joys of going-back-to-nature, has a nice premise. But its execution is amateurish.

This is India’s first carbon neutral film. If you watch it, you’ll wonder if the lack of carbon can be blamed for this celluloid disaster. Aisa Yeh Jahaan stands for grave urban issues: lack of green cover in metros, the Assamese being called Nepali, the homeless being reduced to hog on street food etc. But the audience will surely stand for a larger concern: to exit the screen and reach for a headache pill.

‘Aisa Yeh Jahaan’ tries to convey too many things at the same times. It’s a socio-environmental film that focuses on life and survival. We don’t know if you will take home the messages this movie is trying to covey but we can certainly vouch for the fact that you would pack up your bag soon to plan for a trip to Assam.

Director Biswajeet Bora gives us a film that’s heartfelt but marred by a sketchy, uneven execution. And the film’s core can be described in these lovely words – ‘Jaisa apna aashiyan, hoga waisa yeh jahaan’ (The state of your home, is reflected in the state your outside world). Words to mull over. And yes, it has inspired me to rekindle my friendship with plants, with more heart and gratitude!

This film has been made with heart, but desperately tries to weave in the commercial elements when you have model Carol Gracias suddenly pop up in an item number. With two big guns (‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ and ‘Baahubali’) still firing at the box office and another Cannes-acclaimed film, ‘Masaan’, trying to make an impact, this week, this go-green call seems as tough as the zero garbage mission.

Aisa Yeh Jahaan is quaint and leaves the audience with several striking questions towards the end. Weaving several issues together, director Biswajeet Bora has spun a fine yarn with the film. It is also India’s first carbon-neutral film- the crew have planted 400 saplings around the country, making up for carbon emission during the production of the film.

Despite strong performances, Aisa Yeh Jahaan fails to engage due to its shaky storyline and scattered plot.

It is a half-baked attempt to create something beautiful.

Aisa Yeh Jahaan does have the right ideas. It’s just sad that the execution lets them down. If you feel the Seven Sisters States don’t always get the recognition and status they deserve in India, then you definitely will find moments and themes in Aisa Yeh Jahaan that resonate. Otherwise, this could be a drag.

The film will touch you surely, but the overall effect doesn’t suffice as anything much to write home about.