35. Sketch; movie review

SKETCH
Cert 12A
136 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, injury detail

I know I keep banging the same drum but I really need to know whether Indian audiences don't find it strange or even reprehensible that so many movies centre on middle-aged men stalking young women.
Even more surprising is that the 'targets' don't run to the police but instead somehow find this leering behaviour charming.
Vikram is the latest fiftysomething to play a supposed romantic lead who falls for a beautiful young student.
If his actions in Sketch were repeated in real life, he would surely be arrested and either locked up or given treatment.
Oh, and why do Indian cinema-makers only seem to believe that the very fairest skinned actresses are worthy of romantic leads?
It is true that Tamannaah Bhatia is an attractive young woman but she is so pale that she could be mistaken for being northern European.
Anyway, while the above are bugbears of mine, neither are responsible for Sketch failing to hit the mark with Mrs W nor myself.
Our Friday night alone in screen 4 of the Piccadilly Cinema in Leicester was confusing rather than entertaining because director Vijay Chandar tries to cover too many bases.
At first Vikram's character seems to be challenging the local hoodlums for being top don.
Then it seems he is actually benefactor-in-chief with those in need of help both materially and physically.
Thereafter he is turned into a teenage-esque gibbering wreck by the sight of a pretty girl.
And finally it all becomes serious again when a hood's car is hijacked and bloody revenge is sought.
This synopsis goes a long way to explaining why, 45 minutes into the movie, I asked Mrs W if she had a clue what was going on.
Many Indian films improve after the intermission. sadly, that doesn't apply to Sketch.
Ok, there are supposedly big moments but the lack of emotion which follows them is bizarre.
And then there is the conclusion which in itself is thought-provoking but has nothing to do with the rest of the movie.
We were scratching our heads for so much of the 136 minutes, we were lucky we were not bleeding.

Reasons to watch: fans of Vikram will be blinded to its faults
Reasons to avoid: confusing and, in part, reprehensible

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 4/10

Director quote: Vijay Chandar: “Vikram has done almost everything from local to classy roles. I want my film to cater to even B and C centres. I am sure Sketch will be a treat to the audience, who want to see him in a different dimension. My film will also remind you of Sethu!"

The big question - Why is there so often an age disparity in Indian cinema romances?

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