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.

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…

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.

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

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.

…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.

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.