My Friend Pinto: A rather pointless effort

My Friend Pinto
U/A; Comedy
Dir: Raaghav Dar
Cast: Prateik Babbar, Kalki Koechlin, Arjun Mathur, Shruti Seth, Makrand Deshpande, Raj Zutshi, Divya Dutta
Rating: '1/2



While one debut director Nupur Ashtana made a commendable debut, the other one, Raaghav Dhar unfortunately doesn't impress much. At the outset My Friend Pinto seems like a good attempt, however, it actually ends up being rather pointless.

Michael Pinto (Prateik) comes from an orphanage to Mumbai to spend a week with his childhood pal Sam (Arjun Mathur), before he becomes a priest. Sam is not very happy with Pinto's visit, because his domineering wife doesn't really like the simpleton. While the two callously leave him alone in the house, as they go partying on New Year's Eve, Pinto accidentally manages to get into a roller coaster of an adventure on his own.

The script might have started with a good intention. A simple village boy, who on one night turns a few baddies around, simply with the power of innocence. But as we know by now just one good thought doesn't make a movie.

Too many characters, which include Makarand Deshpande as a retired Malayali Don, Divya Dutta as his mistress, twin goons etc etc keep the move at a fast pace, but alas, it is a giddy ride without the necessary excitement and fun accompanying it. To his credit, Prateik has managed to give a confident performance and seemed to be the only one making even a bit of sense in this mayhem of a movie. Kalki, in a small role, is pretty good as expected. Film after film, I feel bad for talents like Arjun Mathur, who in spite of being such capable actors are relegated to doing fringe roles.

All I can say is that it is a crazy, crazy movie. And crazy need not necessarily always be used in a good way.