"Zoya factor (झोया फॅक्टर)"
Watched Hindi movie Zoya factor (झोया फॅक्टर). Directed by Abhishek Sharma, Produced by Fox Star studios. Screen play Neha Sharma & Pradhuman Singh. Cinematography Manoj Lobo. Music Shankar-Ehsan-Loy. It stars Sonam Kapoor, Dulquer Salman, Sanjay Kapoor, Angad Bedi, Abhilash Chaudhary. I watched this movie with Aditi, Jayant, Sucheeta, Sameer, Pooja and Rucha. The movie is about 2 hour 14 min long and was released on 19 Sep 2019.
Zoya is born at the exact time India won 1983 world cup. She meets fledgling current Indian cricket team, under new captain Nikhil Khoda, for an Ad shoot and they realise that she is a lucky charm. They win matches when she takes breakfast with the team and lose when they don't. She becomes lucky mascot of the national team. She also has hots about Nikhil, who doesn't believe in luck.
Will Zoya and Nikhil clash? Will they come close? Is Zoya lucky? Will Zoya factor work? Will India win?
This movie is based on Anuja Chauhan's debut novel by the same name. The novel was in 'Chick lit' category and became hugely popular. Shahrukh Khan's Red Chillis had the rights of this novel for movie, but it did not happen. Producers of the movie then acquired the rights and made the movie. Shahrukh has lent his voice for the movie.
Although this movie is made on a successful book, this movie lacks the finesse. If you have read the book, you will not like the movie. If you haven't read the book, chances are that you will still not like the movie.
Direction and continuity is elementary. Hotel in Sri Lanka and India have same elevator. Indian team is always shown with 11 or less players when they are not on ground. Team generally consists of 15-16 players. Srilanka jersey looks like KKR jersey. Zoya's brother (Major in army) is always home, never on duty. However director also shows brilliance in flashes like when rain comes Nikhil written on body of fan stats washing off. Those are exact feelings of Nikhil at the time. The cricket match scenes are realistic and shots are real.
Casting is interesting. Salman is a revelation. Although he doesn't have typical Bollywood hero looks, he acts well and is at ease on screen. Sonam looks good and acts well. She is adorable on screen. Without taking anything away from Sonam, I feel that Alia Bhatt would have been ideal for this role. Angad Bedi is a good actor. He gets to play a cricketer again after TV show 'Inside edge'. Sanjay Kapur does not look like an army man at all. Why choose him? Character of Shivy is clearly based on Shikhar Dhawan with his signature moustaches and pat on the lap.
The book had Zing Cola as the team sponsor. Director chose to do a blatant advertisement by changing it to Pepsi. The advertisement is not only by mention but also by playing the ad shooting scenes.
When the book was published India had not won second world cup. However, film was shot after second world cup win. So the film liberally borrows from India's second world cup campaign.
Since the movie is based on a book, comparisons are inevitable. Character of Nikhil is based on Dhoni in the book and movie maintains it. World cup happens in Australia in book, it's in India in movie.
Monita is her friend in book, she becomes boss and antagonist in movie. Zoya's encounter with team India happens in Balgladesh in book, it happens in Srilanka in movie. The list goes on.
You enjoy the book, you don't enjoy the movie. You are hooked to the book, you keep looking at watch during movie. In short the movie is a disappointment. Give it a miss.
Don't go, even if you get free tickets.
