Lucknow Central is a riveting tale of prisoners with an interesting premise and some sparkling performances but similarities with Qaidi Band will surely affect the film in every possible way. 

…despite the flaws, I enjoyed ‘Lucknow Central’. In this nauseating Bollywood milieu of romances and revenge sagas, this one makes an honest attempt to break the monotony.

…the film has its share of follies when the second half kicks off. The music could have been played a vital role in the film, but fails. A sloppy climax ends this sweet experience on a bitter note, turning out to be that unpalatable dessert that ruins a delectable experience. Yet, the plusses in Lucknow Central outnumber the weaknesses. It surely deserves a dekho.

Tiwari’s handling of the jail scenes are commendable even if the climax is a little contrived. And while this jailhouse rock-on see-saws between musical drama and message movie, its origins in a true story (about a real life prison band called Healing Hearts) and it’s notation on the merits of reformation give it soul.

Since the movie is about a group of prisoners forming a band, music has to be the core of the film and it has to connect with the listeners. Thankfully the soundtrack of Lucknow Central largely succeeds at that, though we miss an angst-filled rock number like Hulchul from Qaidi Band, a movie with a similar theme released a month ago. Still, the album is overall pleasant, and I will recommend it solely for Rangdaari.

It looks so unrehearsed so spontaneous….just like the film where the characters probably existed long before the writer and director thought about them. We just didn’t know or care.

Other than a couple of those and a few moments of thrill though, Lucknow Central seems like yet another “prison” film. In fact, the story is quite similar to the other one a few weeks ago, Qaidi Band Review. Thankfully it loses the tone of propaganda. Yet, it stays only moderately engaging.

It looks so unrehearsed, so spontaneous…. just like the film where the characters probably existed long before the writer and director thought about them. We just didn’t know or care.

This musical crime-drama keeps you entwined with emotions and ecstasy conveying an admirable message in the end.