By Goher Iqbal Punn, Film Critic & Entertainment Analyst, Showbiz Bites
Producer: Mukesh Bhatt
Director: Hansal Mehta
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Patralekhaa and Manav Kaul
Music: Jeet Ganguly
Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Hansal Mehta’s Citylights pours light on the issue of the people who migrate from the rural areas to metropolises to make their dreams come true or to make big over there and how they land into troubles in the process. The film shows the dark side of Mumbai – the City of Dreams. Citylights is an adaptation of British movie ‘Metro Manila’, but the luminous storyteller Hansal does not make it an exact replica of the original – that’s the beauty of the film.
The film talks about a family – Deepak (Rajkummar Rao), his wife Rakhi (Patralekhaa) and their daughter Mahi. They live in a village in Rajasthan. The life goes on well until the day the debtors start emerging at their doors and then snatch Deepak’s shop because of the debts he owes to them. With only a mobile number of his friend in his hand, Deepak along with family leaves Mumbai. They are unable to trace their friend and are conned by a real estate agent. Rakhi bumps into a bar dancer who helps the family find a place to live and get a job for Rakhi in the bar. Deepak too gets lucky in finding a job at a security company that transports the cash and expensive commodities. Deepak’s collaborator (Manav Kaul) once makes a plan to become rich overnight. Will Deepak be a part of this scheming plan?
The plot is really superlative and interesting. Script by Ritesh Shah is absolutely fantastic with just few minor faults which are ignorable. At times, the film seems stretched and the pace sometimes turns out to be lethargic. Otherwise all is fine. Direction by Hansal Mehta is awesome and gripping. Background score is first-rate. Music by Jeet Ganguly is ear-pleasing. Cinematography is eye-catchy.
Rajkummar Rao is fantastic and brilliant in his part. With every film he has been improving himself as an actor. Patralekhaa is brilliant. Manav Kaul is impressive. Rest of the cast does fine also.
Final Verdict:
On the whole, Citylights is a fabulous movie from all aspects. From plot to narrative, direction and performances, it is a class to watch.
Also enjoy other posts such as Citylights and Kukur Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi open very dull, Parineeti Chopra’s mouth-watering liplocks and hot photos and Namitha’s spicy hot back photos.
