Review: Nothing angelic about this 'Angel'

Film: Angel (U)
Cast: Nilesh Sahay, Maddalsa Sharma, Aruna Irani
Director: Ganesh Acharya
Rating: *

Abhay (Sahay) is a spoilt brat who accidentally kills an old man while speeding. Out of jail after two years, Abhay is still unwelcome at his brother’s house and among friends. His mother (Irani) has also given up on her younger son and wishes for him to leave the house or help out at his elder brother’s car garage.

Dimwit that he is, Abhay goes with a basket of fruits to greet the family of the man he killed, thinking they will welcome his apologies with open arms. There he befriends Sonal aka Angel (Sharma), a young girl traumatised by disability and loneliness. Sonal is assigned to a caretaker and forced to live in squalor.

With no cogent story, a static plot and disastrous acting, Angel is less than average. Sahay needs serious help, with his looks, dialogue delivery, and, most importantly, acting skills. Sharma makes a considerable effort to portray a helpless girl struck by disability, but the innumerable songs in dream sequences just make her efforts fall flat. Plus the chemistry between the lead pair is non-existent. Throughout the film Sahay’s annoying presence offers ample ‘who-the-hell-made-you-the-hero’ moments. The other actors who play siblings to the lead pair are also over the top.

It is surprising how none of those involved realised that nothing, absolutely nothing, happens before the interval. You step out to munch on some popcorn hoping for something in the second half. But no, you’re in for rude disappointment as the filmmakers stay oblivious to your desire. One thing they have achieved for sure: the feat of dragging a non-story for over two hours and irritating the audience until they want to slap the hero.