Mastiii 4: A Review

Plot

The latest addition to the controversial Mastiii franchise, Mastiii 4, tries to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors with its signature blend of crass humor and pithy one-liners. The film revolves around three married men, played by Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani, who find themselves deep in tumultuous waters due to their unexciting marriages. Riteish's character, Amar, is a so-called animal master whose wife, Bindiya (portrayed by Elnaaz Norouzi), is reasonably suspicious of his antics. Meanwhile, Vivek's Meet is a car dealer whose attempts at humor often feel like tired clichés lifted straight from your uncle’s WhatsApp group chats, while his wife, Anchal (Shreya Sharma), is on high alert, monitoring his every move. On the other hand, Aftab plays Dr. Prem, whose marriage to Geeta (Ruhi Singh) appears to be more of a role-play than a partnership. Frustrated with monotony, these three hapless husbands conceive a hare-brained scheme dubbed the "Love Visa," aiming to escape their dreary domestic lives. But as their plans begin to unravel, audiences are left cringing rather than laughing. The narrative fails to entertain, spiraling into a convoluted mess of over-the-top gags and awkward situations, ultimately producing more discomfort than comedy. The film's storyline plods along, offering trite and uninspired plot twists that make viewers wonder how far humorous storytelling has fallen since the early 2000s. Although the film makes an attempt to tap into the theme of marital discord and the quest for excitement outside their relationships, it comes across as superficial, focusing more on the absurdity than any genuine emotional resonance. The gags lack sophistication, relying heavily on crude humor and outdated jokes that don’t land. Characters that could have offered depth instead come off as shallow stereotypes, reinforcing rather than challenging the traditional roles of husbands and wives. In essence, the plot contributes to the perception of Mastiii 4 as a cringe-worthy portrayal of modern relationships, rather than a clever comedy about them.

Acting

The acting in Mastiii 4 is unfortunately as subpar as its plot. Despite the star power of Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani, the trio struggles to deliver a performance that is remotely engaging. Their portrayals oscillate between excessive overacting and monotonous delivery, leaving viewers bewildered about whether they should laugh or weep. Riteish, usually a dependable face in the comedy genre, seems out of his element here, with expressions that feel forced rather than genuine. His comedic timing, typically one of his strengths, falters in what is arguably an unfavorable script. Vivek's portrayal of Meet offers little variation in expression, and his reliance on tired punchlines only adds to the film’s already over-extended runtime. The character is intended to radiate charisma but instead brings about feelings of second-hand embarrassment. Aftab's performance is exaggerated to the point where it strays into absurdity; at times, it seems less like a character and more like a caricature. Ironically, amongst this disarray, Elnaaz Norouzi manages to stand out, not because of subtlety or nuance, but due to her loud and dramatic delivery. While her lines may come off as shrill, they are among the few moments that elicit genuine expressions – if only from disbelief rather than amusement. Supporting actors, including Arshad Warsi and Nargis Fakhri, appear in brief roles but neither provides relief nor enhances the overall quality of the film. Arshad attempts to breathe life into his character Kamraj, but the flawed script keeps him from truly shining. Meanwhile, Nargis's performance raises eyebrows regarding her longevity in the industry, as her delivery feels stilted and detracts from the scenes rather than supporting them. Overall, the ensemble fails to create a resonance with the audience, hindering any potential enjoyment one might seek in a light-hearted comedy.

Cinematography

Visually, Mastiii 4 does not make a strong statement. The cinematography is standard at best, relying on ordinary framing and uninspired shots that do little to elevate the film's appeal. The camera angles feel repetitive, failing to capture the essence of the supposed comedic chaos unfolding onscreen. A film's success often hinges not just on the story and performances but also on how these elements are presented, and unfortunately, Mastiii 4 lacks visual flair. The color palette is equally bland, mirroring the flat narrative. Instead of vibrant colors that could have dynamically enhanced the comedic elements, the film opts for dull tones that fail to engage or excite. As scenes transition from one to the next, viewers may find themselves zoning out due to the lack of visual stimulation. Quick cuts and unnecessary close-ups do nothing to further the plot, and instead feel more like filler content serving to pad the runtime rather than enhance storytelling. Furthermore, the film leans heavily on stereotypical portrayals of beauty, with excessive focus on the female form that seems more exploitative than celebratory. These choices detract from what should be comedic moments, replacing laughter with discomfort, and reinforcing outdated perceptions of femininity in cinema. The direction appears uninspired, as does the cinematography, painting a dismal picture for an audience hoping for a lighthearted romp through marital woes. Ultimately, these visual elements do not only fail to save the film but also contribute to its overall misfiring comedic intent.

Direction

Directed by Milap Zaveri, Mastiii 4 falls into the unfortunate trap of muddled direction, which could have been a saving grace for a script in dire need of coherent storytelling. Zaveri seems to rely excessively on shock value and crass comedy without attempting to structure a cohesive narrative that flows naturally. Instead of deftly steering the ship through its turbulent waters, the direction feels heavy-handed, illustrating moments that should invoke laughter but instead elicit pity. The pacing is inconsistent; scenes dragged out longer than necessary detract from the comic timing, leaving viewers fidgeting in their seats. The repetitive nature of the jokes and scenarios creates a sense of déjà vu, as if audiences are being subjected to a series of rehashed sketches rather than a fresh narrative. Moreover, the film's attempts at humor often land flat due to a failure to connect with the audience on any meaningful level. Where a skilled director would offer nuance and layers to the content, Zaveri's direction tends to favor the sensational and crass, undermining the potential for genuine comedy. Choices in character development also reflect a lack of thoughtful direction. The characters are poorly fleshed out, relying on stereotypes rather than growth or realistic progression. The film aims to critique relationships but ends up as a poor caricature of marital life; this misalignment fails to provide viewers with any sense of identification. Moments where the screenplay could have taken a smart turn are missed entirely, leaving behind only the elements of comedy that feel dated and tired. In sum, Zaveri's direction does little to rehabilitate the poorly conceived script. Under his guidance, Mastiii 4 falters not only in delivering humor but also in creating any sense of emotional attachment or insightful commentary that its premise might suggest. Accordingly, audiences are left to ponder what could have been, while the film serves as a cautionary lesson against poor direction and uninspired storytelling.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mastiii 4 feels like a desperate continuation of a franchise that has long since lost its charm. This latest installment is marred by juvenile humor, recycled jokes, and an underlying reliance on outdated stereotypes, leading to an experience that is ultimately tiresome rather than entertaining. With a weak plot, lackluster performances, uninspired cinematography, and disorienting direction, the film fails to engage its audience on any meaningful level. As the film departs from your local theatre, expect little more than a fleeting memory of discomfort rather than a hearty laugh. Despite the team’s best intentions, it’s clear that crass humor does not compensate for a lack of genuine creativity or storytelling prowess. Viewers are left wondering how the franchise managed to delve so deeply into mediocrity, especially when both Riteish Deshmukh and Vivek Oberoi have showcased their talents in other works over the years. Though many might cling onto the familiarity of the series and the hope of a return to form, Mastiii 4 serves as a clear indicator that the landscape of adult comedies has evolved. While the franchise seems resolutely confident in its loyal fanbase, this fourth endeavor is unlikely to draw in any completely newfound viewers. As the curtain draws on this particular installment, it is easy to see that the humor is lost, and any sense of charm has vanished. Ultimately, Mastiii 4 stands testament to why adult comedies are often criticized and serves as an appropriate reminder that simply labeling something as "comedy" does not automatically imbue it with humor or appeal.