Ambat Shoukin

Three aimless and jobless friends, Lalit, Varun and Reddy, finally decide to bring their life on track after a moral lecture by Varun. They start a cafe and run it honestly. Then, one evening, Janhavi walks into their cafe, and eventually into their lives as all three fall for the same girl. Of course the story has a twist in which things aren't as they appear to be. A few photos, Janhavi's purpose and another young boy's story shake the trio. But are these things enough to give them a new purpose in life?

The name Ambat Shoukin may raise a few eyebrows but that's the purpose of the title. The film through the journey of three friends who unknowingly fall into a trap online and decide to quash a cyber crime syndicate. Helmed by Nikhil Wairagar, with dialogues and screenplay by Akshay Tanksale and Amit Bendre, the film has its heart in the right place. It aims to address the issue of sextortion with a novel approach. But the way Ambat Shoukin unravels is amateur. The leads being at the right place at the right time, new characters, otherwise nowhere in the plot, conveniently entering it to untie a knot; these are just a couple of issues with the film. The makers dedicate a lot more time to comedy than to the actual issue, ultimately resulting in a slow first half and a hurried second half. While Akshay Tanksale and Kiran Gaikwad stand out, the other actors are either loud, casual or unpolished.

Ambat Shoukin comes across as a film made by friends, with friends and for their friends. It deserves full marks for the effort and passion, but half of that for its execution. Only if you fancy a very casual watch with friends, go for this one.