Zubaan is a good film let down by a hazy story and a strictly average screenplay. Watch it only for the powerful performances by Kaushal and Chaudhary.

Zubaan is a well-made and well-enacted film but its commercial prospects are poor because at the end of it all, it appears as an exercise in futility and without purpose.

The film holds a lot of promise but doesn’t really live up to it. A more clear-minded script as well as a steadier hand at direction would have done wonders to this film. However, Singh scores as he makes soul stirring music (composed by Ashutosh Phatak) an intrinsic part of the film.

The first half is crisp and the story moves smoothly, but during the second half the story moves a bit too fast leaving the audience confused. The direction is good but the editing is not up to the mark.

The pace of the film might make you a bit restless but the story is enthralling in a few places.

If it is watchable in parts, it is only owing to the solid lead performance by Vicky Kaushal.

The film does not quite deliver as an overall experience. But the performances by Meghna Malik, Manish Chaudhari, Raghav Chanana, Vicky Kaushal and Sarah-Jane Dias are well worth it.

Zubaan may not be a very gripping experience as it demands patience  but the film is definitely rewarding in parts.

If you want to see some good acting, you should definitely go for this movie. The story of this movie is very straightforward but it has been told in a creative way. The director has managed to add some good twists to the plot, that will keep you engaged throughout the movie.

The only thing the film cannot dim is the promise shown by Vicky Kaushal. Even in this, his first film (he shot for it before Masaan), he’s a likeable, transparent performer, his face consistently betraying whatever emotions his character is experiencing. I’m sure the audience would have willingly followed him into darker territory. But the film doesn’t seem to believe that, and is left, like its protagonist, fumbling for eloquence.

Zubaan emerges, sadly, like one of those ads where you can half-hum the song but you forget what it was for…

Zubaan is lovingly rendered sweet indie film about the spirit of reinvention. Celebrate it.

The writing is patchy, with Kaushal not coming off as striking as he was in ‘Masaan’ : he’s good yes, he makes us watch, yes, but is already familiar.

At 118 minutes duration, this unconventional story is crisp and the first half steals the show. The second half is slow in parts and the end is a tad rushed. The film reiterates the point that you have to move out of your comfort zone to find your true calling – something we all should take note of…

That’s probably the biggest fault of the film – it does not pause – for inspiration, emotion or enlightenment to dawn on the characters. It quickly races to the finish line, hoping the viewers fill in the blanks and figure out transformation.

Verdict: you can skip it! 

Despite the weak moments and an uneven story line, Zubaan is worth a watch. Vicky Kaushal’s performance in itself is worth the price of an admission ticket!

You come away with mixed feelings even though you really loved the idea of ‘tumhari zubaan kuch keh rahi hai…’.

Zubaan is an uneven ride that appeals partially. It is the stellar performances by its cast that truly make it stand out.

The first half of Zubaan plays out like with a soap opera, with heightened performances and extreme situations. It isn’t until much later that the protagonist’s modus operandi is established.

The narrative moves with greater energy and conviction in the post-interval portions. Zubaan is about aspiration, ambition and the dark direction life can take. It’s also about self-confidence, taking chances and swimming against the tide.

Zubaan stretches itself too thin at times in trying to raise its narrative tempo. In its quieter moments, however, it does manage to get its voice heard.

Watch it for the latter bits – and for Vicky Kaushal.

There are passages in Zubaan where we see the director’s vision of an individual held ransom by his ambitions, and we are shaken in a rejuvenating way. Zubaan is an exhilarating journey of self-discovery, and far far more accomplished work that this week’s other release Prakash Jha’s Jai Gangaajal.

Despite the markedly unoriginal scenes and predictable story, “Zubaan” might have been a coherent film if the director wasn’t so confused. As it stands though, this is a film that cannot overcome its split-personality disorder.

…despite the fabulous music the songs feel more like intrusions than part of the storytelling. Vicky pulls off the Sikh pop singer act as well, especially in the Ajj Saanu O Mileya number, which plays out like a rousing anthem in the end. If only the lead-up to it was as compelling. Zubaan is a film that you stay with till the end even as you rue that it could have been so much better.

Zubaan is one of the better music-based films in the last couple of years, and will make for a quite a movie experience. Don’t miss it if you can help it.

ZUBAAN comes across as a magnificent masterpiece of the recent times. Strong performances and extremely relatable screenplay will surely bring the audiences to witness the film that speaks about love, ambition, trust, faith and betrayal.

Zubaan might test your patience but it is heartbreaking in parts. Luckily, the melodrama is kept at bay even when the protagonist finds himself divided between materialism and mirth.