That was an excellent one.

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

As an idea it really feels exciting to assume a film about two amateurish suicide bombers from a fictitious (Indian) land, planning to sabotage a World Peace Conference held in Poland. And the excitement increases further when in this comic plot, the Hindu bomber poses as a Muslim and the Muslim one portrays himself as a Hindu, trying to fool the authorities and participants together. However as experienced many times before, the plot that looks like a killer one on the paper doesn't turn out to be anything even close to average or fairly enjoyable when transformed into a film unfortunately.Beginning on a positive note, revealing the hidden secret behind every communal riot happening in the city, BANGISTAN commences as a political satire with all Indian characters in the script, but then slowly gets into the mold of a western comedy, unable to make any kind of substantial impact on the viewer due to more than one reason. Apart from all (unexpectedly) over the top performances, it has many weird sequences like a hotel room (in Poland) with a big hole in the roof connecting it with the upper floor, a goat brought in the same hotel for Eid without the owner's permission, an over- clever Hindi speaking taxi driver being the informer, the two Russian/Chinese eccentric bomb suppliers with their hidden laboratories and the two foreign police officers behaving like fools. The dialogues that ought to be the backbone of such message oriented satires, have been written pretty casually with only few enjoyable lines coming after long gaps.Having a decent opening 15 minutes, the pointless script keeps progressing with all forced, supposed to be funny moments post interval too. And then it eventually comes to an end with a long, preachy unimpressive climax that is unable to convey any kind of social message of 'One Religion' to the viewers. In short, though director Karan Anshuman might have had all good intentions to make an entertaining comedy with a message of World peace, the film fails to deliver the same and disappoints badly. In other words, following a western pattern of satirical comedy featuring all Indian characters, BANGISTAN keeps hanging in between and remains far away from impactful attempts such as the recent FILMISTAAN and more.In the performances, Ritesh Deshmukh tries his best but also looks like uninterested and unconvinced with the content throughout its two hours of duration. On the other hand, Pulkit Samrat puts in much more energy than required going over the top and so do the actors in the supporting cast, particularly the hamming Arya Babbar. Moreover its really confusing to see Jacqueline in such a poor role of a local waitress doing simply nothing in the film other than providing the glamour.Summing up, BANGISTAN has a poor direction, below average soundtrack but a better cinematography that unsuccessfully tries to give a significant message of 'One Religion of the World' to its audience. However mentioning its only merit, there is a thoughtful song coming towards the end with the lyrics,"Mujhko Kuchh Bhi Pata Nahin Tha, Waqt Bada Hi Achha Tha, Mera Koi Dharam Nahin Tha, Jab Main Chhota Bacha Tha"

It feels bad to see such good movies not getting their due, I watched this movie very late from its release but I am happy that I did. From the day I saw promos of this movie, I so badly wanted to see this. The imagination and art direction of this movie is amazing, something really really innovative and new. The whole concept, cinematography, costumes, dialogues, locations and acting, everything is commendable. I accept this movie may not be funny as those brainless Bollywood comedies rather it is more subtle with genuine smile on your face throughout the movie. As I watched this I didn't feel bore for even a second. I wanted this movie to go on and on, there are several small small yet thought provoking lines that shows the brilliance of the writer. I would recommend this movie to any movie lover, watch it for its simplicity, sensibility, and subtle comedy. You wont come out laughing but surely thinking and smiling :)

Critic Turned Writer-Director Karan Anshuman's 'Bangistan' is a Good Idea, but the execution is average. Made with noble intentions, this satirical comedy, however, doesn't leave the impact it ought to have, due to not-so-strong writing. 'Bangistan' Synopsis: After being brainwashed by two extremists, an Indian & a Muslim, turn into suicide bombers & plan to execute a dangerous plan at a cultural event in Poland. But their ideologies change, as they learn the truth about religion & god.'Bangistan' lacks sharp writing. The Screenplay by Anshuman, Puneet Krishna & Sumit Purohit, definitely is noble, but it isn't engaging enough. The protagonists are decently written, but their journey doesn't inspire much. There are some moments that work, but overall, the narrative isn't full-proof. Anshuman's Direction is amateurish. Cinematography captures the beautiful locales of Poland, nicely. Editing lacks sharpness. Ram Sampath's Score is good.Performance-Wise Riteish Deshmukh is marvelous & the life of the show. He is sincere, affecting & absolutely believable in his portrayal of a man torn between racial discrimination & violence. Pulkit Samrat is over-the-top. Jacqueline Fernandez is wasted in a cameo, she looks great though. Kumud Mishra is excellent in dual roles. Chandan Roy Sanyal & Aarya Babbar don't work.On the whole, 'Bangistan' is a half-baked fare.

Some movies are made with the right intentions,Bangistan is one such film, the film had its heart in the right place. On paper the films story must have sounded amazing, extremely novel and different. But the execution is below average, and films pace is extremely slow. A comedic film on religion, a satire of such, ends up boring at times. A film which was supposed to be about how humanity, peace is above any religion ends up giving a muddled message due to amateurish direction by a former critic Karan Anushman, at least critics now know its not easy to make film, as easy as it is to write.The films story is about a fake state named Bangistan, its called that because of war between two halves of the state which are called North and South Bangistan. In the North live all the Muslims and in the South side all the Hindus. When the head Hindu and Muslim Priests of both sides come together to make a peace accord they want to present in the peace conference in Poland, ruckus is created on both sides. Therefore then both sides unknowingly make a similar plan of sending a hindu and Muslim suicide bomber to Poland to stop the accord. Does this plan go through or not, is what makes up the rest of this comedic satire. If you want to know more rush to the theatres.Acting wise Ritesh Desmukh and Pulkit Samrat do well in there roles, but the roles could have been written a little better,Others don't have much scope in the film.Bangistan is not a completely faulty film, there are a lot of of funny moments in the film. The whole spoof on mcdonalds, starbucks, call centres, making bombs etc are all innovative and funny .Many scenes raise laughs but there not enough for a comedy. One thing that stands out is the films locations, and production values, the screen always looks pleasing to look at, Poland seems beautiful.Overall when I watched the films trailer a couple of months ago i had huge expectations, the film left me disappointed. But if you can take one thing away from the film it is humanity is above all. And the climax is actually well done, it might even make a tear or two flow down.2.5/5* (.5 more for the climax) or 5/10