Review: 'I M 24' is not senseless, but repetitive

New Delhi: Two struggling actors, a half-bald writer and a wannabe Miss India, surrounded with all sorts of characters from the crazy world of Bollywood.

Right from the start, the movie gives you a deja-vu feeling as the plot doesn't really have anything new to offer. Directed by Saurabh Shukla, the movie brings back the Rajat Kapoor and Ranvir Shorey magic. Neha Dhupia, 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na' actress Manjari Phadnis and Vijay Raaz are in the supporting roles.

After struggling in Mumbai for three years, writer Shubendu Roy (Rajat Kapoor) finally agrees to write the script of a serial 'inspired' from another show. After 'Phas Gaye Re Obama', it's good to see him doing something convincing on big screen again. After playing a serious spy in 'Ek Tha Tiger', Ranvir Shorey impresses you as struggling actor Gagandeep Singh. Though you miss his striking chemistry with Vinay Pathak, but he really got his act right this time.

$Review: \'I M 24\' is not senseless, but repetitive$

Rajat Kapoor and Ranvir Shorey

Neha Dhupia, aptly named Sheila in the film, is hardly there. Why would anybody seduce a writer for a film offer? 'I am a big fan of yours' trick is too overplayed to amuse people now. Manjari Phadnis again plays an overexcited young girl in the film. Saurabh Shukla is convincing as a producer and makes you laugh with his 'filmy gyaan'. The film also takes a dig at the Hindi film industry and its people. It seems, showing the dark side of showbiz from different perspectives has almost become a fashion these days.

The film is not extremely funny and doesn't have many punch lines too. It's Rajat Kapoor and Ranvir Shorey's impressive performance, which holds the fort for 'I M 24’. From Rajat and Ranvir's shoddy clothes to the usual environment on a film set, Shukla tried hard to make his film look close to reality. However, Rajat's house didn't look anything like a chawl and we have never seen such a shabby set of a beauty pageant.

With dream sequences and unnecessary songs, Saurabh Shukla really tried hard to make 'I M 24' a commercial film. No wonder, it took him so many years to complete the movie. First part of the movie is racy, however it looks a little dragged in the second half. The climax could have been better.

'I M 24' and Akshay Kumar's latest film 'Joker' has been released on the same day. A little more publicity would have helped the film to a great extent.

Overall, 'I M 24' is an average film, which could have been better with a little more fine-tuning. The movie makes you laugh in bits. Watch it if you are still not over the 'Bheja Fry' magic and want to see more of Ranvir Shorey and Rajat Kapoor, definitely not their best though.

Rating: 2/5