Waqt is the story of a father and a son between whom there is a special bond. Unlike many other father son relationships, these two are more like friends; the father being Ishwar Sharawat (Amitabh Bachchan) and his son Aditya (Akshay Kumar). Ishwar is the owner of a toy manufacturing company and is extremely generous and big hearted making sure to spread as much as joy to kids as he can, and that is why he makes sure that during the festive season of Diwali he distributes toys to the orphans. On the surface Ishwar's life seems like something every man would crave for; a great and profitable business, a loving son and a caring and dutiful wife Sumitra (Shefali Shah) or so it seems.
Aditya is in love with Mitali (Priyanka Chopra) and vice-versa who is the daughter of Nathu (Boman Irani). However after the initial problems that occur, the two of them finally end up getting married. Ishwar hopes that marriage will make Aditya a more responsible man but he is disappointed. His efforts to turn Aditya into a more responsible individual turn futile.
One thing leads to another and Ishwar doesn't have an option but to throw Aditya out of the house. Aditya is shocked that the same doting father is now behaving in this fashion towards him and his now pregnant wife. After the initial problems, Aditya takes it upon himself to take care of his wife and his unborn kid. Aditya starts working as freelance stuntman and at the same time prepares for a star search contest. Aditya starts turning into an independent man but the rift in the relationship between him and his father grows.
Story-screenplay-dialogue writer Aatish Kapadia has presented a simple story, but garnished it with enough engaging moments. Although not a foolproof script, the writing is definitely better than most socials witnessed in the recent past. The dialogue penned by Kapadia also deserves special mention.
Director Vipul Shah whose Aankhen was a fast-paced action-packed thriller experiments with a different genre with the light-hearted family-oriented caper. Three's repartee -- Bachchan, Irani (playing Aditya's father-in-law) and Yadav (playing the dense domestic help) -- ensure laughs aplenty. The film could definitely do without some of the songs. Exquisitely shot though some of them may be, they are an unnecessary burden. As jarring as a few of his tunes is Anu Malik, in a cameo, playing DJ at the wedding party.
Amitabh and Akshay share a warm on-screen camaraderie; essaying again father-son roles after Ek Ristaa – The Bond Of Love. Amitabh does justice to the role but this certainly is not one of his best. Akshay shoulders an author-backed role, carrying more of the film's emotional baggage though he is distinctly uncomfortable in the soppy-weepy scenes. Something that Shefali Shah handles with the finesse of the crying prima donna of a weep-o-rama. Priyanka Chopra, is well, Priyanka Chopra.
Waqt – The Race Against Time is an above average fare with some very hummable and enthralling numbers like 'Subah Hogi' and 'Chhup Jaa'. Music composer Anu Malik has aims to generate catchy tunes, but on the whole, he doesn't quite succeed.
On the whole, WAQT - THE RACE AGAINST TIME is a well-made family entertainer.
