Watch My Friend Pinto
- 2011
- 1 hr 55 min
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5.3 (406)
My Friend Pinto is a 2011 Indian comedy-drama film that stars Prateik Babbar, Kalki Koechlin, and Arjun Mathur in lead roles. The film marks the directorial debut of filmmaker Raaghav Dar, who had previously worked as an assistant director on various Bollywood movies. Produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the movie revolves around the life of Michael Pinto, played by Prateik Babbar, a young man from Goa who dreams of becoming a musician.
The story begins when Pinto, an innocent and caring person, comes to Mumbai to meet his childhood friend Sameer (Arjun Mathur), who is supposed to welcome him at the airport but doesn't show up. Pinto gets into a series of hilarious misadventures due to his naivety and trust in the goodness of people. Along the way, he meets a single mother, Maggie (Kalki Koechlin), who is also struggling to find her place in the city.
Pinto's journey takes him to different parts of Mumbai, and he encounters various eccentric characters, including a journalist who wants to expose a corrupt builder, a drunkard who speaks in rhyme, and a pimp with a heart of gold. Meanwhile, Pinto's friend Sameer has gone missing, and Pinto sets out to find him, uncovering a web of deceit and corruption in the process.
Throughout the film, Prateik Babbar delivers a charming and endearing performance as Pinto. His innocence and childlike wonder make him a lovable character that the audience can't help but root for. Kalki Koechlin is also impressive as Maggie, bringing depth and complexity to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. Arjun Mathur's portrayal of Sameer is nuanced and believable, even though he doesn't have much screen time.
The movie's main strength lies in its witty and humorous writing. The dialogues are laced with clever wordplay and puns, and the situations that Pinto gets himself into are both funny and relatable. The film also has a strong emotional core, with themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery interwoven into the plot.
The music of My Friend Pinto, composed by Ajay-Atul and Shamir Tandon, is a standout aspect of the film. The songs are catchy and add to the overall feel-good vibe of the movie. The film's cinematography, by Amitabha Singh, captures the vibrant energy of Mumbai and its various locales.
However, the movie does have some flaws. The pacing drags at times, and some of the subplots feel underdeveloped. The climax also feels rushed and could have been fleshed out further.
Overall, My Friend Pinto is a heartwarming and entertaining film that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. It's a charming slice-of-life story that will leave you with a smile on your face.