Nawazuddin Siddiqui strains every sinew, and remains consistently watchable despite the shifts in tone. But even he cannot make the film soar.

Ketan aspires to find poetry in Manjhi’s grand passion. He doesn’t always succeed. But this story is so compelling that it will inspire you to face your own mountains.

It’s not that the film is without jarring points. Most of the character artists goof up with the accent while mouthing the dialogues in the dialect spoken in the region. In fact, except Siddiqui, Dhulia, Apte and Pankaj Tripathi, everyone seems to have put on a fake and forced ‘Bihari’ accent. The very Bollywood-ised romance between Siddiqui and Apte seems out of place as well. At best, this should have been part of dream sequences. Given the realism of the story, the flying sarees and Apte roaming around without blouses do not quite fit into the cultural milieu.

Siddiqui is an amazing actor. And he’s in his element as the slightly crazed lover-husband. And though Siddiqui wears the burden of Manjhi Mountain Man lightly, as the stubborn, moody, dogged man who cut his way through a mountain over 22 years, he’s just competent. The film has a strong story, but it lacks soul. Like Mehta’s earlier attempts, this too is a mediocre attempt at telling an important story.

The film is definitely a worth a watch as this is a story that deserves to be heard. But allow us to tell you that while some of you might be carrying a leaked version of the film in your phones, the tale of the mountain man is not meant for touchscreen entertainment.

Manjhi is watchable purely because of this actor’s grasp of a willful, persevering personality recognised by his passion not poverty. It’s a distinction Nawaz duly delivers, if not the film.

Manjhi – The Mountain Man pays a price for exactly the opposite – it errs on the side of excess. Its makers go overboard with the sturdy but rather stolid pieces available to them.

A lighter touch might have made Manjhi – The Mountain Man a markedly more convincing biopic.

Why this film that had so much potential doesn’t deserve superlatives is because of the inconsistency in the story-telling. While some scenes leave you scarred and teary-eyed, others don’t even scratch the surface.

Even an actor as accomplished as Nawazuddin Siddiqui seems to have given in to the shrill tone of the film, turning in what is perhaps his weakest performance so far in what should have been a meaty role. Stilted by the choppy screenplay, he is unable to bring Manjhi and his obsession to life. Radhika Apte, who plays Manjhi’s wife Phaguniya, looks luminous but has little else to do.

Not quite ‘Shandaar, Zabardast, Zindabad’ as one would expect it to be. It makes you proud that such Indian lived among us and makes a compelling case against Indian politicians and the bureaucracy. But beyond that, it’s simply a love story – a man tearing through a mountain to keep the memory of his wife alive.

…deserves a watch to realise what a single ‘lunatic’ can be capable of when push comes to shove. And Nawazuddin’s spellbinding acting. And, of course, if you’re wondering if watching Manjhi would be difficult, here’s quoting Dashrath from the film, “Pahar todne se mushkil hai kya (Is it tougher than breaking a mountain)?”

Manjhi tries to be many things – a biopic, a social drama, a love story, a superhero flick with bad special effects – and fails to be good at being either of them.

…is a true story that has been portrayed on celluloid with such brilliance that you would not want to miss it. Watch it for Nawaz’s outstanding performance and to truly acknowledge and learn about the true legend Dashrath Manjhi.

…is a good film but will appeal mainly to Nawazuddin’s fans. However, the film has potential to grow with word of mouth.

The main takeaway from Manjhi – The Mountain Man is that great stories don’t necessarily make great films. Or not even good films for that matter. In this case, it is the astounding true story and Nawazuddin Siddique’s acting that elevates a worn out film and makes it look average.

Manjhi’s story brings to light an amazing and shocking reflection of Indian society and politics. A man spent 22 years trying to dig through a mountain for a basic civic convenience. The government and the authorities did absolutely naught to aid his efforts. Yes, 30 years ago the media and the public weren’t as vocal as today, but things in the interiors of our country still need to be ironed out, just Manjhi’s saga. And yet, such a pertinent and relevant subject is doled out in an unconvincing manner. The Mountain man and his legend deserved a lot more.

Only one thing comes to mind after watching Ketan Mehta’s biopic on the late Dashrath Manjhi, the man from Bihar who turned a mountain into a molehill- a lesser actor would have crumbled under the weight of this character.

Nawazuddin is brilliant as Manjhi. The film is carried solely on his frail but extremely capable shoulders.

Watch it for Nawazuddin’s performance, but more importantly, Dashrath Manjhi’s awe inspiring self belief.

Words of praise seem hollow when it comes to a film that describes a life so inspirational.

…a film that is so comprehensively artificial that you’ll forget Dashrath Manjhi was a real man and that his is a true story.

Manjhi might not be a great film, it is a great story. It is a story that deserves to be seen; to be known by people all across.

…it is a treat to watch ‘Manjhi – The Mountain Man’. It is a great film. You empathise with him, but unfortunately you don’t get emotionally involved. Probably the roots are too rural or there is something missing.

This one is purely for those who love serious, meaningful cinema like the kinds of Masaan, and the ones who adore a gifted talent called Nawazuddin Siddiqui. If you are one of those, please book your tickets asap (i.e. if you haven’t watched the leaked copy by now. And if you have, you missed the larger experience! The laptop screen really doesn’t register the impact of a small man working against the mountain!).

Manjhi is rousing, simplistic cinema, just about saved by a fantastic lead turn. It’ll do if all you want is a folk tale, but I wish the film had chipped away at Manjhi the way he chipped away at that mountain.

Despite the flaws, the film is watchable for Nawazuddin’s exceptional performance and the highly inspiring story!

Manjhi is one of those films that are depressing and yet are meant to give hope. Like Dashrath say, if he can try to break a mountain, then why can’t you take a crack at that mountainous problem in your life?

A 124-minute film about a man trying to pull down a mountain could be like staring at a construction site while stuck in a traffic jam. But this one weaves in enough entertainment and thrill to be a lot more than that.

Overall, it is a treat to watch Manjhi – The Mountain Man. It is a great film. You empathise with him, but unfortunately you don’t get emotionally involved. Probably the roots are too rural or there is something missing.

Ketan Mehta’s absorbing biopic of Dashrath Manjhi is powered by an intense performance by Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

Watch it if you want to see Nawazuddin Siddiqui in fine form and if you are looking out for some inspiring stuff.

…could have been a film to remember for a long time but thanks to its makers, you can now wait for it to appear on TV instead of going to the hall.