Toofan Review: Lacks Overall Excitement!

Toofan, a 2021 Hindi-language sports drama, stars Farhan Akhtar in the titular role, with Paresh Rawal and Mrunal Thakur playing the supporting roles. Marking Akhtar’s second collaboration (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag being their first) with director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, 162-minute film opted for a direct-to-OTT release, a surprising move considering the hype and the box-office potential of the project.

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The storyline of Toofan revolves around a local gangster, Ajju Bhai (Farhan Akhtar), who is known for his fiery attitude but balances it out by being a kind-hearted chap who helps orphan kids. Eventually, after realizing his love for boxing, and his then friend, Ananya (Mrunal Thakur), making him understand the importance of self-respect, he decides to start training for the sport under a very stubborn coach, Nana, played by Paresh Rawal.

Now the phrase ‘old wine in a new bottle’ aptly applies to Toofan cause we have seen different iteration of this story multiple times by now. The emergence of an underdog from the chaotic slums of Mumbai, an orphan finding his true calling, and the phoenix rising from the ashes themes are tried, tested, and are overdone at this point. And to be honest, I am tired of watching anything remotely close cause I can tell how the film starts, proceeds, and closes from a million miles away.

Unfortunately, Toofan follows the same trajectory, a very predictable and boring by-the-numbers screenplay that is not quite appealing but easy to digest. Furthermore, as per our Indian tradition, every sports flick had to have that family drama to stir up that sentiment. And Toofan once again doesn’t attempt to be anything different or innovative.

But, I stopped being a whiner for a good chunk and watched the film with an open mind expecting Anjum Rajabali (the writer) to move me emotionally with her narrative. But, the overall predictability and the lack of build-up to certain scenes play the spoilsport because the editing and screenwriting were soo choppy I found it hard to equate to these characters on an emotional level.

Onto the performances, Farhan Akhtar poured his blood, sweat, and tears into this role, and it’s clearly visible on-screen. From his transformation to the training and, most importantly, acting, the guy gave everything he can and carried the film. Paresh Rawal as his fierce coach, Nana Prabhu, had a significant role to play, and he maintained the intensity and the resolute body language of his character very well through and through.

Mrunal Thakur, on the other hand, has a very charming, expressive, and likable face and is easy to fall in love, and connect with her character anytime. The music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy is not noticeable, which in my opinion, did not do the already bland movie any favors. Especially for a sports film, you need songs like ‶Zinda″ and ‶Dangal Dangal″ to keep you going and elevate the excitement levels.

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Overall, Toofan lacks the excitement and that oomph factor that we’ve witnessed in sports dramas like Dangal. The two-hour-forty-minute film follows the age-old template and tells the story of an underdog from the slums of Mumbai, which could’ve been interesting with a more innovative story and screenplay. I expected something better from the hit combo of Farhan Akhtar and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, as their last outing Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was a blockbuster success. Perhaps that’s the difference between reality and fiction. Watch ‘Toofan’ on Prime Video here.

‘Toofan’ Rating – 2/5

Images via Prime Video