Ajeeb Daastaans movie review: The journeys don't quite reach the destination

3/5

"Tumne toh… aakhon se bhi jhooth bol diya… (You have lied even with your eyes)" --- goes on the most poignant lines of the anthology Ajeeb Dastaans, which is streaming on Netflix. In a way, the dialogue also talks about the entire anthology that comprises four short stories. The tales merely justify the title but all of them crave closure in some way or the other. 

Of late, streaming platforms have been releasing anthologies one after the other from Lust Stories to Pitta Kathalu, and most of these have been a mixed bag with one or two vignettes standing out while the other short films being average at best. Does Ajeeb Daastaans manage to break that jinx? Not quite. 

The anthology opens with a story titled Majnu that revolves around a newlywed couple (played by Fatima Sana Shaikh and Jaideep Ahlawat) and is directed by Shashank Khaitan. Majnu talks about grudges, revenge and narrow-mindedness. Though the end is surprising, the short film fails to capture your attention. 

The second featurette Khilauna, directed by Raj Mehta, has Nushrratt Bharuccha, Abhishek Banerjee and Inayat Verma in pivotal roles. This is probably the most predictable among the lot and the least engaging. It sheds light on the reality of the working class of India, complete with their struggles and conflicts with those who are well-placed in the society. 

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Geeli Pucchi, starring Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sreedhar Dubey, focuses on LGBTQ relationships and casteism. Sharma has done a fabulous job in this and the end packs a powerful surprise that completes the arc Ghaywan aimed at .

The best tale has been kept for the last in this anthology. Kayoze Irani’s Ankahi talks about love as well as heartbreak. Starring Shefali Shah, Manav Kaul, Tota Roy Chowdhury and Sara Arjun, Ankahi is romantic and beautiful. While Shah puts on a strong performance, Kaul is the MVP here playing a speech and hearing-impaired person convincingly. 

Ajeeb Daastaans qualifies as a one-time watch, especially due to the last two short films by directors Ghaywan and Irani.