Madaari crumbles under its own lofty ideals and ambition. The slow pace makes the fall even more painful and enduring. And that it had two brilliant actors in Irrfan and Jimmy, who were grossly under-used, only adds to injury.

Madaari is not a film that will stay with you as you, in your day to day routine, succumb to the pressure and become part of the corruption that ails our system…

Madaari might be worth the price of a multiplex ticket solely for Irrfan’s flawless one-man show.

For a film which makes a call for cleaning up the system, its last scene is rather off putting. Kamath’s second release of the year is better than his earlier effort, Rocky Handsome. Here the saving grace is Irrfan’s act. He truly is the Madaari here.

Madaari is a lost cause. The story in spite of having potential, fails at execution and thanks to its dramatic discourse, shifts away from its focus. I am going with a 2/5 for the film.

MADAARI comes across as a thriller which holds your attention only in parts. It lacks consistency and punch and will therefore appeal to a limited set of audience. At the box office, its business prospects will be limited.

Just like the wronged common man like Naseer in A WEDNESDAY, Nirmal (Irrfan Khan) in MADAARI could have being the man to please the intellectual plus attract the others with its emotional depth in what we say a film for the classes and masses but Nishikanth Kamat’s ‘system’ of delivering (read helming) made me ‘wrong’.

An eye for an eye to get the corrupt politicians to own up to their mistakes, is a great idea. And we don’t doubt that Irrfan Khan is able to carry the movie on his shoulders alone. But once you know the ‘eye for an eye’ motive, the thrill wears off and you labor through the how is he going to get caught by the police. It’s too long, too loud and too melodramatic. Watch only for Irrfan Khan.

Madaari may have its heart in the right place, but an average direction and flawed narrative let down the movie’s honest intentions.