Review: AIR (All India Rankers): Enjoyable, Though Not Lasting

 

 

Movie: AIR (All India Rankers)
Rating: 2.75/5

Cast: Harsh Roshan, Bhanu Prakash, Jayatheertha, Chaitanya Rao Madadi, Harsha Chemudu, Ramana Bhargav, Jeevan Kumar, Sandeep Raj, Akshara, Sameer, Sunil and others

Director: Joseph Clinton

Produced By: Pocketmoney Pictures, VGK Creations

Steaming On: ETV Win

Story:

The trio of students, Arjun (Harsha Roshan), Imran (Jayatheertha), and Raju (Bhanu Prakash), finish their 10th-class education, and their parents choose the IIT path for them, leading to a strict college/hostel focused solely on academics.

They find it difficult to fit in and seek to avoid the stress by planning some mischievous activities. However, certain circumstances require them to stay at the hostel. A sudden mishap places them in major trouble, which becomes central to the plot.

Performances:

Harsh Roshan brings the energy into each and every scene with his commanding presence and good dialogue delivery. He also impresses in emotional scenes. Bhanu Prakash and Jayatheertha also deliver convincing performances.

Chaitanya Rao Madadi shines as lecturer Surya, while Harsha Chemudu, Ramana Bhargav, Jeevan Kumar, Sandeep Raj, Akshara, Sameer, Sunil, and others are apt.

What worked for the series:

In AIR, directed by Joseph Clinton, there's a lot of playful energy with its storyline and characters, especially that canteen wall sporting an anti-food waste message as students stir up trouble in the background. He tries to discuss a serious issue with an entertaining touch, which works superbly in the initial parts.

The acting of the three lead actors lifts several scenes, and the emotional moments in the last couple of episodes hit just right. Sinjith Yerramilli delivers a cool background score.

What did not work for the series:

Unfortunately, other than a general remark about how competitive the Intermediate/IIT phase is for students, there is not much else the director reveals in the show. The way management acts and what parents expect from their kids gives off a familiar vibe.

It would have been nice if he had brought in Surya, the genuine lecturer who aids students, to add more layers to the tale. This series goes overboard at a few places with the silly stuff, especially that side story about the admin officer and his hidden crush that just feels pointless.

AIR (All India Rankers) Review and Verdict:

Joseph Clinton's AIR (All India Rankers) brings you a fun, relatable vibe with its simplicity. The performances by the lead actors are good. Though it does give a feel of artificiality at times, with a chill flow throughout, it nails the last two episodes and concludes on a positive note.