Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2018) Movie Drinking Game
Down a Shot: every time Ajoba’s Uncle Ben vibes intensify
Down a Shot: every time the desi Scott Pilgrim vibes also intensify
Down a Shot: each time Supri kicks some butt!
By: Vidal D’costa (A Toast) –
An underrated gem that gives off desi Scott Pilgrim vibes, this movie is an underdog tale for not only its hero- Surya, a young man born with a rare condition that renders him literally unable to feel pain- but also for his sensei, Karate Mani, a crippled karate master who puts on a courageous face, but like all humans, isn’t immune to pain & failure. They join forces to retrieve Mani’s sensei’s legacy- a chain- which in turn sets off a surreal, rollickingly fun chain of events. This action-comedy proves that heroes don’t necessarily need to wear capes. Sometimes all it takes is dressing up like the love child of Bruce Lee & a low-budget ninja.
A Toast
Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota not only gives its ‘mard’ (man/male protagonist) an opportunity to shine, but also lets its heroine Supri wield power & kick some arse. It’s great fun to see Supri beat the henchmen to a pulp, yet also saddening to see her navigate through two patriarchal, controlling relationships. It also raises important questions like ‘what makes a real man?’. Is a real man someone who abuses a woman or the one who stands by her… or the one who stands by, yet simultaneously takes advantage of her vulnerability and abuses her simultaneously?
The actors do complete justice to their well-sketched characters. Abhimanyu Dasani is believable as Surya, who grows up an innocent man-child, cloistered by his father, and portrays this innocence well, while also being a bad arse during the action scenes. Radhika Madan is a revelation & conveys a lot through facial expressions alone. Mahesh Manjrekar is apt in an ‘Uncle Ben-esque’ role as Ajoba/grandad. Gulshan Devaiah has the most fun playing the banana-chip chomping pain in the arse Jimmy & his twin brother Mani, effortlessly switching from menacing to cowardly as he portrays both characters & gives viewers a double treat!
The music is foot-tapping and complements the action sequences. There are also pop culture references galore, so keep your eyes peeled!
Verdict
This movie packs a punch. Do not miss!
