"Club 60" directed by Sanjay Tripathi is a film that tells the story of youthful bunch of people aged above 60. The film, which was released on 6 December, has received mixed reviews from critics.
It marks the debut of Tripathi, maker of popular science fiction program "Turning Point". The film features Sharat Saxena, Vineet Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Farooq Shaikh, Satish Shah, Tinnu Anand and Sarika among others.
Read the reviews here:
Karan Anshuman of Mumbai Mirror writes: "Five 60+ year-olds, long-time friends who play tennis and schmooze away their mornings at the welcoming Club 60. And there's the reticent, erudite doctor couple - Tariq and Saira (Farooque Sheikh and Sarika) who have lost their son under tragic circumstances and have moved to Bombay to drown their internal clamor. Tariq is especially troubled spending his time alone, sleeping, staring out the balcony for hours. And then, against all his wishes, he is thrust into the midst of the oddball 60+ company.A coming-of-age movie with senior folk. How refreshing!
"Club 60's heart lies in its writing - specifically dialogue - and the stellar show by its cast. The screenplay breaks many contemporary conventions in its construction. Scenes take their time and meander; there is a barrage of innocuous interactions reflecting lives without frills.
"Club 60's shortcomings have all to do with its crude execution. At 137 minutes, it is also too long. A little more time spent on crafting it right and a shorter run time would have gone a long way in making this film even better."
Faheem Ruhani of India Today writes: "Chances are that if there wasn't already a recent film by the same title (starring Amitabh Bachchan), director Sanjay Tripathy could have easily called his directorial debut Club 60 by the same name. The five sexagenarians (Raghubir Yadav, Satish Shah, Tinnu Anand, Sharat Saxena, Vineet Kumar) in this film claim loud and clear, 'we are not old, God-fearing, boring people who have taken a backseat in the ride of life.' They want to tell you that they are proud, sexy senior citizens. Let's correct that further. They, in fact are saying we are 60 but feel sexy like 16-year-olds. Such is their passion and zest to live life to the fullest.
"The effort is sincere and effective and based on true-life characters the director encountered during his many, early morning tennis sessions at National Sports Club of India, Mumbai. He is tremendously aided in the story-telling with a talented cast without which this film could have gone downhill. The writing is simple, clear and light.
"The otherwise well-intentioned film is slightly marred by its length. The 137 minutes-long film could have easily been tighter, done away with a few songs and cut short the rather longish voiceover by Farooque Sheikh in the beginning."
Rajiv Masand of IBNLive writes: "'Club 60', starring Farooque Shaikh and Sarika, drives an unmistakably heartfelt message home. This is a story about accepting the hand fate has dealt you and making the most out of life.
"It's the solid acting from this ensemble of veterans that compels you to overlook the film's many shortcomings, particularly the indulgent screenplay that packs too many songs and some misguided sexual humor.
"Unfortunately writer-director Sanjay Tripathy can't lift this script from its quicksand of predictability, and can't avoid the mawkish melodrama that stories like these inevitably slip into. That, along with a clumsy, overlong climax, makes 'Club 60' a rather dull affair in the end. "
Tushar Joshi of DNA writes: "Sarika and Farooque Sheikh deliver some strong performances. The two are utterly likeable and believable as the couple who wants to make an effort to get over their past. Dialogues written for Sarika and Sheikh are simple and touch the right chord.
"Club 60 is heavy in content and the lethargic pace doesn't help in keeping our interest alive. Because the matter of the film is serious and deals with senior actors , most of the scenes and moments become tedious and boring. Supporting cast is uneven in terms of the characters and performances.
"Watch it for some heart touching performances from Sarika and Farooque Sheikh. Overall Club 60 will struggle to lure in new members."
