What Is The Story About?
‘Govinda Naam Mera’, Disney Plus Hotstar’s latest Bollywood acquisition for a direct to digital release, centres on a down-on-luck choreographer, Govinda Waghmare (Vicky Kaushal), who’s caught between his bossy wife, Gauri (Bhumi Pednekar), his girlfriend Suku (Kiara Advani), his paralysed mother (Renuka Shahane), and a chaotic financial mess. A suspenseful murder only adds to the complications in his life.
‘Govinda Naam Mera’ is produced by Dharma Productions and Viacom 18 Studios. It is written and directed by Shashank Khaitan.
Performances?
‘Govinda Naam Mera’ allows Vicky Kaushal to display his comic timing and penchant for humour, which the actor leverages to the hilt. He’s a revelation in the film, used to, as we are, to seeing him in grave, histrionics-laden roles. Vicky Kaushal is also the only good thing in Govinda Naam Mera – him and Amey Wagh as his lawyer, Kaustubh Godbole. Amey is eminently watchable in the film. He’s been handed a sizeable role, and he makes the most of it.
The rest of the actors just ham their way through their clunky roles, be it Kiara Advani, Bhumi Pednekar, Dayanand Shetty as a corrupt police officer; Trupti Khamkar as the motor-mouth domestic help Manju; Sayyaji Shinde as an unscrupulous businessman; among others.
Renuka Shahane is grossly miscast as the wheelchair-bound mother. The seasoned actor in her, though, pulls it through somehow.
Analysis?
Choosing to release the film directly on streaming was the best decision taken by the makers of Govinda Naam Mera. The movie would have been a resounding flop in theatres for certain. Nothing seems to work for the film – the story is a done-to-death one, and the pace is too sluggish – especially in the boring first half of the film.
The humour in the film is non-existent – this, for a film touted as a black comedy murder mystery. The jokes and one-liners fall flat; the punchlines lack punch. There’s not a single laugh-out-loud moment in the film, or one that remains etched in the mind after we’ve finished watching it.
The film perks up in the last half an hour or so, with twisty reveals lending some intrigue to an otherwise uninteresting-until-now narrative. But honestly speaking, any mystery film buff will foresee those reveals by miles.
The songs and dances do nothing to enhance the storytelling, neither does the interesting ensemble cast. Govinda Naam Mera is a classic case of a film that seemed like a fun caper on paper, but fizzles out on screen. All said and done, the film can be watched once since it’s on OTT. A trip to the theatres to watch this mess would strictly have been not advisable.
Music And Other Departments?
Sachin Jigar, Tanishk Bagchi, Meet Bros, B Praak and Rochak Kohli have composed the songs in the film. However, not a single number is worth a re-listen. The music of the film is a colossal waste of time and talent. Cinematographer Vidushi Tiwari has done an average job with the camera, as has editor Charu Shree Roy; nothing to write home about.
Highlights?
Only Vicky Kaushal’s humorous avatar
Drawbacks?
Sluggish pace
Done-to-death story
Poor humour
Clunky performances
Bad dialogues
Did I like it?
Not much
Do I recommend it?
Not exactly; can be watched once, since it’s on streaming
Govinda Naam Mera Movie Review by Binged Bureau
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
