The film 'Pritam and Pedro', marking the debut of Raj Kumar Hirani's son Vir, is a disappointing cybercrime drama that struggles with weak writing and mismatched casting. Directed by Avinash Arrun, the series pairs Vir Hirani as a tech-savvy boy with Arshad Warsi as a computer-illiterate cop, but the chemistry falls flat.
Arshad Warsi Overpowers Debutant
Arshad Warsi, known for his versatile roles, proves too overwhelming for Vir Hirani. The young actor appears inadequate and unprepared, often looking like an over-workshopped novice. Warsi's character, Pedro Gonsalves, is a dull Goan archetype, and his portrayal of a cop punished to the cybercrime cell feels exaggerated, with him treating a computer as a novel invention. The series attempts to mirror Raj Kumar Hirani's signature style but ends up as a series of emasculated escapades, akin to a school play where the principal's son gets the lead due to nepotism.
Weak Script and Lackluster Plot
The plot revolves around Pritam (Vir Hirani) and Pedro solving cybercrimes, each more ridiculous than the last. One episode involving a politician's kidnapped son is preposterously plotted, feeling like a narrative anomaly. The cyber sleuthing is so slothfully scripted that it resembles an online scam. The backstories for characters are casual and careless, appearing as afterthoughts. Mona Singh, playing a grieving mother, gets a raw deal with minimal screen time, used only to endure Warsi's nasty barbs that disrespect her character.
Director Avinash Arrun Fails to Impress
Despite director Avinash Arrun's talent, evident in his previous work 'Killa', there is no trace of his instinct here. The series opens with an ATM robbery, an interesting premise, but quickly splutters as the writing fails to sustain momentum. The entire series feels like a setup with no payoff, leaving viewers unattended by curiosity. The attempts to pitch Vir Hirani against Warsi remain misbegotten, and the direction lacks the punch needed for a crime thriller.
According to critic Subhash K Jha, the series is 'a series of limp lunges into anecdotal drama' that leaves viewers as unattended as a wedding without a planner. The film fails to deliver on its promise, making it a forgettable debut for Vir Hirani.
