Director Puri Jagannadh’s Liger was one of the most anticipated films of the year, promising a fusion of high-octane action, romance, and drama with the added allure of Vijay Deverakonda’s Bollywood debut. However, despite the fanfare and expectations, the film delivers a profoundly disappointing experience. With a corny and nonsensical plot, unfunny humor, and over-the-top ambitions, Liger misses its mark on every conceivable level.
The Story: A Patchwork of Clichés
At its core, Liger follows the journey of a chaiwala-turned-mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who dreams of becoming a champion. The protagonist, played by Vijay Deverakonda, is riddled with flaws that stem more from the writing than the character himself. The narrative lurches from one poorly executed scene to another, making it impossible for the audience to emotionally invest in his journey.
What stands out is not the protagonist’s grit or determination but the sheer absurdity of the situations he finds himself in. From improbable love angles to bizarre training montages, the film bombards viewers with a slew of Bollywood and Tollywood tropes that feel outdated and lazy. By the time the film attempts to culminate in a supposedly grand climax, the audience is already disengaged.
Humor That Falls Flat
One of the biggest flaws of Liger is its off-putting humor. The jokes oscillate between being painfully juvenile and downright cringe-worthy. Instead of adding levity or charm, the humor becomes a chore to endure. In an age where audiences appreciate wit and intelligence in writing, Liger relies on slapstick and tasteless gags that alienate more than entertain.
A particularly grating aspect is the film’s treatment of stuttering—a trait given to the protagonist. While the intention might have been to evoke sympathy or add complexity, it is handled with insensitivity, often becoming the butt of jokes rather than a meaningful character detail.
Over-Ambition Without Substance
Puri Jagannadh is known for pushing boundaries with his films, but in Liger, his ambitions far outstrip the film’s substance. From an aimless MMA tournament subplot to a jarring cameo by Mike Tyson that adds nothing to the narrative, the film feels like a collection of random ideas hastily stitched together.
The MMA scenes, which could have been the saving grace, lack finesse and believability. Poor choreography and overuse of slow-motion effects make the action sequences look amateurish. Instead of thrilling the audience, they become tedious and repetitive.
Performances That Disappoint
While Vijay Deverakonda has proven his mettle in films like Arjun Reddy, his performance in Liger is underwhelming. He struggles with the poorly written character and seems visibly uncomfortable in certain scenes. His physical transformation for the role is commendable, but it’s wasted in a narrative that doesn’t know how to utilize it.
Ananya Panday, cast as the love interest, delivers a performance that lacks depth and conviction. Her chemistry with Deverakonda feels forced, making their romantic subplot an unconvincing and unnecessary distraction. Supporting actors, too, fail to make an impression, as they are reduced to caricatures by the screenplay.
Mike Tyson’s much-hyped cameo is perhaps the most baffling aspect of the film. Instead of adding gravitas or excitement, his scenes come across as awkward and out of place. The lack of coherent dialogue and direction reduces the legendary boxer’s role to a mere gimmick.
Technical Aspects: A Mixed Bag
The cinematography and production design of Liger do show moments of promise. The film boasts vibrant visuals and some well-shot sequences, but these fleeting positives are overshadowed by subpar editing and lackluster direction.
The music and background score fail to elevate the narrative. The songs feel out of sync with the film’s tone, often breaking the flow rather than enhancing it. A more thoughtful approach to sound design could have added much-needed intensity to the MMA sequences.
Missteps in Direction
Puri Jagannadh’s direction in Liger lacks focus and coherence. The film struggles with pacing issues, jumping erratically between emotional drama, action, and comedy without allowing any element to breathe. His trademark flair for mass entertainment is absent, replaced by a disjointed attempt to cater to multiple audiences simultaneously.
Jagannadh’s reliance on tired clichés and over-the-top dialogues adds to the film’s woes. Instead of crafting a unique and inspiring underdog story, he delivers a chaotic mishmash of half-baked ideas.
The Audience Reaction
It’s rare for a film to evoke unanimous disapproval, but Liger achieves this dubious distinction. Many viewers have taken to social media to express their disappointment, with some calling it the worst film of the year. The hype surrounding the film’s release only adds to the sense of betrayal among fans.
The crux of the audience’s frustration lies in the missed opportunity. With a talented cast and a premise that had potential, Liger could have been a game-changer. Instead, it becomes a cautionary tale of how not to make a film.
Why You Should Skip Liger
In an era where cinema is evolving to offer meaningful stories and well-rounded characters, Liger feels like a regressive step backward. Its inability to respect the audience’s intelligence or deliver on its promises makes it a frustrating watch.
For fans of Vijay Deverakonda, there is hope that this misstep is an anomaly and not a reflection of his future choices. For Puri Jagannadh, Liger serves as a reminder that ambition without execution is a recipe for disaster.
Final Verdict
Liger is a misguided mess from start to finish. With its corny plot, lackluster humor, and over-the-top ambitions, it fails to provide any entertainment or emotional resonance. The cast and crew’s lack of regard for their craft leaves the audience cringing in their seats.
In a year filled with cinematic gems, Liger stands out for all the wrong reasons. If you’re considering watching this film, do yourself a favor and skip it. Your time and money are better spent elsewhere.
In summary, Liger is a painful reminder that even the most promising collaborations can go disastrously wrong without a strong script and clear vision. It is a film best left forgotten, serving as a lesson in the importance of storytelling, coherence, and respect for the audience.