Review: ‘Wrong No. 2’ Dials the Right Digits More Often than Not

If you’ve seen Yasir Nawaz’s previous films “Wrong No.”, and “Mehrunisa V Lub U”, then you know exactly what you’re in for with “Wrong No. 2”. They’re all unabashed entertainers. However, where Wrong No. 2 differs is that it weaves in quite a lot of social messages in between the madness; two to be exact.

The first maybe familiar to film going audiences, but the second takes you by surprise. In a very effective, but succinct monologue delivered by Neelam Munir, the film takes you off guard and hits you over the head with a message that gets under your skin, in a good way.

Every scene of “Wrong No. 2” is packed with fun. There is never a dull moment. There are so many characters thrown in that you hardly have a moment to blink before you miss an important cameo. The most entertaining but extended cameos are by veterans Irfan Khoosat, and Ashraf Khan. They are a laugh riot in their respective roles.

The soundtrack also deserves praise, particularly “Yaariyaan” and “Tu Hi Har Rang”, filmed against historical locations like the Ranikot Fort and Kotri Bridge.

The strongest performances in the film are undoubtedly Neelam Muneer, Yasir Nawaz and Sana Fakhar.

Neelam Muneer plays the free spirited Zoya as easily as she speaks her mother tongue, Pashto, in the film. She’s clearly got great potential as a comedic and dramatic actress.

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Yasir Nawaz plays the dutiful husband and father, Mehboob Alam, trapped between a rock and a hard place. He’s trying to scrape together funds for his daughter’s medical expenses while avoiding any moral compromise at the same time.

Sana Fakhar plays his wife Masooma and essays the role with relative ease; she’s walked this line many times before and this is familiar territory.

Sami Khan however doesn’t have much meat to his role. We never find out why he and Neelam Muneer are in love. He’s also not given much to work with except a few lines and an action scene at the end.

Javed Sheikh and Mehmood Aslam have a blast with their characters, Gul Nawaz and Wazir Ali, trying to juggle political aspirations and arranging Zoya’s marriage at the same time.

The direction of the film could’ve been much better though. The film features some chase scenes that have been shot in the narrow lanes of Hyderabad. However, the setting could’ve been used to much better effect than it has been. Instead of close-ups and rapid shots of running through those lanes.

Director Yasir Nawaz resorts to slow motion chopped in with jittery movement. There are also some abrupt tonal shifts in the film that could’ve been melded together had the scripting/editing been a little better.