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Freaky Ali

9 September 2016Hindi2h
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 22 scored reviews · 7 not rated

Nawazuddin carries a formulaic golf comedy that runs out of swing by the second half.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Nawazuddin Siddiqui's lead performance
  • Criticised: weak predictable script second half

Audience

User score 3.3 out of 10 from 4 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 2 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 29 critics are saying

Critical consensus on Freaky Ali is largely negative, with most reviewers finding the film hampered by a weak, predictable script and a disappointing second half that fails to sustain early momentum. Nawazuddin Siddiqui's performance is singled out by a wide majority of critics as the film's sole saving grace, with several noting it is the primary or only reason to watch. Common criticisms include formulaic storytelling rooted in underdog sports film clichés, uneven editing, and a narrative that grows repetitive and dull. A handful of reviewers found it passable as simple, lightweight entertainment, but few recommended it as worth the theatrical ticket price.

How the 22 scores spread

7 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 29 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (29)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    Nawazuddin Siddiqui is capable of carrying a film on his own shoulders but the film drowns in its own silliness.
  2. IndiaWest

    Film review ·

    Watch this film if you want simple entertainment. It may have done-to-death elements (barring the new sport of golf for our cinema), but it is delivered with a lot of soul.
  3. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    Director Sohail Khan, who shares writing credits too, takes a lot of cinematic liberties. Even in a Utopian state, it is hard to digest street children running amuck golf greens. Or having goondas, double up as caddies. Like they say, this happens only in our desi cinema.
  4. Filmfare

    Film review ·

    Freaky Ali is a sweet little comedy that's sure to put a smile on your lips. Nawazuddin's performance alone is worth the price of the ticket.
  5. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Despite the cliches and melodrama, we found Freaky Ali worth the time and money. From the 'talented actor' for the intelligentsia to the common man's entertainer, Siddiqui is one star we love.
  6. Bollywood Life

    Film review ·

    Though Nawaz is in his top game and there are a few chuckle-worthy moments, Freaky Ali struggles to reach the endpoint with the necessary flair.
  7. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    Even though Nawaz performs well in 'Freaky Ali', the film is surely not worth the ticket price. Since Baar Baar Dekho also released this Friday, pick this only if you are an ardent Nawazuddin Siddiqui fan. The film holds no promise of entertaining you throughout.
  8. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Freaky Ali has flashes of fun but could've been far funnier. Watch it for Nawaz's endearing performance.
  9. NDTV

    Film review ·

    Overall, Freaky Ali inspired by the English film, Happy Gilmore, entertains with its simplicity and raw Indian appeal.
  10. Fully Hyderabad

    Film review ·

    Technically the film is below average. The direction is below par, and the film struggles to make a point clearly. Freaky Ali is essentially a badly-written film - golf isn't cricket or boxing to begin with, and despite the director having three hours, he cannot get you connected with the sport.
  11. Gulf News

    Film review ·

    It's really not worth paying money to watch Freaky Ali in the theatre. Wait for the world television premiere. And then too, watch only if you are a big fan of Siddiqui's.
  12. IBNLive

    Film review ·

    The film is like a sixer on a golf field, irrelevant and unnecessary. Even Siddiqui's brave act can't save this one.
  13. India

    Film review ·

    Now this plot could have held a lot of potential, but Sadly the Arbaaz Khan production goes down the spiral and it doesn't take long for the sense, sensibility and a shred of doubt to go out of the window!
  14. India Glitz

    Film review ·

    Freaky Ali is a half baked film, due to weak second half and stretched plot. It had all the potential to become a feel good entertainer, but fails to do so half way. More suitable for home viewing.
  15. India Today

    Film review ·

    Too bad, as is always with any film from the bhai stable, the film's makers did not give two hoots about the film's script, which is why Freaky Ali ended up being two hours of zzzZZZzzzz...
  16. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Freaky Ali misses to be an ace (golf lingo). In the garb of comedy, this is a boring dramedy.
  17. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    It's a sports underdog movie where Nawazuddin Siddiqui gets to play a man from the wrong side of the tracks to win at a game meant for the idle rich. The story starts out to be great fun, but it becomes so repetitive in the middle that even the jokes are a drag and then dragged down by Bollywoodisation of the story: unsportsmanlike behavior, intervention by the gods, maa ka aashirvaad and big gangster with bigger heart...
  18. Rediff

    Film review ·

    It's entirely on the writers and actors to make the proceedings seem crucial or comic. What shows up on screen is plain lazy on their part and it's painfully dull to watch.
  19. SKJBollywoodNews

    Film review ·

    Seeds of discontent and disorientation are sown in uncomfortable alcoves all across the film. The narration moves roughly and restlessly from one episode to another. The editing is abysmally patchy. The performances, barringAsif Basra as Ali's mentor and caddy, are uneven.

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

4 ratings · user score 3.3

  1. Tejas NairSept 2016
    3/10

    You can't expect much from Sohail Khan, or the whole Khan brigade, at least when it comes to directing or writing films. His latest feature is more like a skit played by a bunch of primary school students for their school's poorly-organized annual gathering.<br /> <br /> Ali (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is an orphan who used to work as an undergarment seller and a contract hooligan before realizing that he can play golf like Tiger Woods. Along with his friend and associate Maqsood (Arbaaz Khan), he signs up for a National golf tournament and aims to dethrone Peter (Jas Arora), a vanity-filled top golfer, and make some good money out of it. The story is basically a riches-to- rags one where Ali has to fight odds to come out as an achiever.<br /> <br /> One is honestly tired of this setup, which has been sampled millions of times in mostly all kinds of art in the world. But, then, you would think that the makers must have added some good old humor into this concoction so as to make it appealing. Sorry to break it out to you, but neither is there any quality comedy in the narrative nor is the existing any edible. One-line jokes that can be best described as PJs (in Mumbai parlance) are all there is in the story, which is otherwise as banal as its box office competitor's (Baar Baar Dekho).<br /> <br /> Siddiqui tries to single-handedly salvage the film, but a ceiling with only one pillar supporting it cannot save itself from a storm. It is upsetting to watch Khan in a role that he himself won't be proud of. Seems Biswas is the only person playing a sensible character in the film, and let me not even start about Nikitin Dheer and foul-mouthed Jackie Shroff. I went to the restroom for few minutes and missed somehow Amy Jackson.<br /> <br /> All in all, the show is about a lucky person who just happens to manage some flukes in few games of golf, which is as baffling and enigmatic as the possibility and nature of the romance between Ali and his girlfriend, Megha.<br /> <br /> BOTTOM LINE: Sohail Khan's "Freaky Ali" is a film made of zero imagination and creativity. Wait for TV premiere, but do see what's on in Star Gold or &Pictures.<br /> <br /> Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

  2. 3/10

    Apart from the Onam releases, the Bollywood movies that had hit the screens this weekend were "Baar Baar Dekho" & "Freaky Ali". I wouldn't have even bothered watching the latter one as it was a Sohail Khan production which invariably lacks any kind of sensibility or logic. However, since Nawazuddin Siddiqui was playing the lead & it belonged to the sports genre (which is incidentally one of my fav); I decided to check it out. So was it a wise decision??? Ali (Nawazuddin) was from the ghetto who struggled to make a livelihood as none of his modest jobs failed to strike gold. After his latest venture also bit the dust, he decided to team up with his buddy Maqsood (Arbaaz Khan) as an extortion debt collector for the local thug. During one such collection drive, they ended up at a golf course where the industrialist was struggling to make putts even after repeated efforts. This makes Ali to mock at him which infuriates the guy & asks him to put his words into action. Incidentally, Ali manages to putt the balls with ease which catches the eye of the caddy, Kishan (Asif Basra) who also happened to be Ali's family friend. Seeing his talent, Kishan coaxes Ali to allow him to be his trainer with their first target being to get selected into the Golf Tour. So how Ali rises through the ranks forms the crux of the story. Inspired from Adam Sandler's "Happy Gilmore" which was a hilarious comedy, this one barely managed to draw a couple of chuckles. Scripted by Sohail Khan & Raaj Shaandilya, there isnt anything which could be said to be original or atleast treated in a refreshing manner. The argument of class disparity that the Champion places when Ali takes up the sport, jokes on obesity, misogyny, etc all reeks of influence from movies of a bygone decade. None of the technical aspects impresses & we are left flabbergasted as to how talented artists like Nawazuddin & Seema Biswas agreed to be part of this project. There isnt much that Nawazuddin could do especially when the screenplay is downright mediocre. To be frank, he didnt quite seem the talented golfer that he is made to appear while brother's love might have made Arbaaz take up his role. Asif Basra has done a fine job, Jas Arora seems more like a veteran rather than a Champion, Seema Biswas hams it up royally & Amy Jackson (oh..she was there???) well nothing apart from flash smiles which is the most she has ability for. Verdict: Unless people think in the same manner as I did, there is very less chance that this will make any tremor at the box office. With a screenplay as pathetic as this, there is not going to be any word of mouth going in its favour. In short, don't even bother watching!!! Rating: 1.75/5 Regards...Ben

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