Tapping into the middle class' increasing frustration over rapid inflation, 'Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga', directed by debutant Anshul Sharma, is a well-intentioned satire constructed around a promising premise. But the film's writers fail to build on their clever central idea, and ultimately deliver an undercooked script that lacks the consistent wit of 2010's 'Phas Gaye Re Obama'I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for 'Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga'. It's not a bad film at all; it's just not as good as it could've been.

SAARE JAHAAN SE MEHNGA... has an attention-grabbing thought and the implementation catches your eye on several occasions, more so towards the latter half. In fact, much of the first hour is devoted to establishing the plot/characters and how the common man is grappling with inflation. While the first hour is strictly okay, the film takes a dramatic turn in the latter half as the family finds itself cornered. The penultimate portions, in particular, are the mainstay of the enterprise.The realistic milieu, the wit and humor in the conversation and of course, the graceful act by its principal cast makes you leave the auditorium with a beam on your face. The sole deterrent is that the writing could've been tighter, although the run time [less than 2 hours] is just perfect. On the whole, SAARE JAHAAN SE MEHNGA... is topical, relevant and relatable, with some endearing moments. It may be lacking in face-value, but you can't deny that it's an honest effort!

Saare Jahaan Se Mehenga has a brilliant concept, earnest performances and clean humour. The film however falls short of evolving beyond the basic idea, which curtails the impact it should ideally make. The film has some poignant moments, especially when the old father fears humiliation if they're caught and Puttan speaking his heart out on how inflation affects the middle class. We however wish there was no love track that involves Gopal. The film also becomes a tad theatrical and preachy in portions. Performance-wise, the film stays flawless.

The film has been written zippily by people who know this world. It looks and feels authentic, minus exaggeration. Badola goes over the top, though, and the plot wearies a bit by the end : complaining about aataa and daal is fine, but kaala dhan ( black money) locked in Swiss banks, which is what Puttan and co are made to get hot and bothered about too, becomes a bit much. Still, there's enough for you to want to cheer on these people and their plan to banish `menhgai' and get 'sastaai' in their lives : roti, kapdaa aur makaan is still as much a challenge as it has always been.

In all, ‘Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga’ leaves you with the question, ‘Why?’... Why, for example, did the makers decide to make such a film when we are so troubled by inflation already? Or why, even if they did decide to do so, didn’t they pay the minutest of attentions to something like logic? And also, why would a person go and watch this film? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind! One and a half star from me for this extraordinary waste of time and energy. Those are two hours of my life I’m never getting back.

A satire is made or busted by its writing. Rupesh Thapliyal and Vijay Manral's script struggles to balance humour and comment as Puttan and his family get entangled in a new set of woes. After a breezy first half, the story takes an unconvincing melodramatic turn and Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga becomes a routine potmoiler. Worse, tech-specs including editing and camera leave a lot to be desired. The film is an honest intention gone astray.