Anupama Chopra's review: War Chhod Na Yaar

War Chhod Na Yaar, a satire on constantly warring India and Pakistan, has a few fun moments. Debutant writer-director Faraz Haider creates a genuinely nice scene in which soldiers on opposite sides of the barbed wire play antakshri. Anupama Chopra writes.

Film: War Chhod Na Yaar

Direction: Faraz Haider

Actors: Sharman Joshi, Jaaved Jaaferi, Dalip Tahil

Rating: **



War Chhod Na Yaar, a satire on constantly warring India and Pakistan, has a few fun moments. Debutant writer-director Faraz Haider creates a genuinely nice scene in which soldiers on opposite sides of the barbed wire play antakshri. There are three low-IQ Afghan mercenaries. We also have ‘made in China’ weapons that refuse to work.



But the few bright spots are buried in reams of amateurish craft, dreary songs, half-hearted patriotism and feeble jokes. A running gag is the awful food the Pakistani army lives on — early in the film, the army chief remarks: aaj kal hamare fauji intelligence kam aur gas zyada pass kar rahe hain. Later in the film, he is shown sitting on a pot playing a video game — after Besharam, my tolerance for onscreen defecation is very low.

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There’s also Dalip Tahil in four roles, which is way too much Tahil for me. But the leading men Sharman Joshi and Jaaved Jaaferi put on a cheerful swagger. These two are among Bollywood’s most underrated actors and it’s a pleasure to see them get some screen time.



I only wish the material had lived up to its potential.