‘Toofaan’ movie review: Farhan Akhtar is earnest in this Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra sports drama, but the storm required more momentum - The Hindu - Pdf Slider

In a scene that’s a reflection of the times we are in, ace boxing coach Nana Prabhu or Narayana Prabhu (Paresh Rawal) is taken aback when his friend (Mohan Agashe), accuses him of being prejudiced and talking like a ‘bigot’. In his defence, Nana Prabhu points out that he has taken the former thug Aziz Ali (Farhan Akhtar), from Dongri, under his wings and trained him to be a champion.

Yet, he cannot overlook an old wound that continues to fester after a loss caused by a terror attack. Should an entire community be eyed with suspicion for the actions of a few? Can Prabhu accept Aziz if he were to cross the line from just being a dutiful student? Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Toofaan (storm) raises these and other questions.

Toofaan is Mehra and Akhtar’s second outing together, after Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) which was inspired by the life and times of the late athlete Milkha Singh. Toofaan, however, isn’t as rousing or as effective in its emotional heft.