Slapstick works in parts

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Slapstick works in parts

Sunday, 24 February 2019 | Shalini Saksena

Slapstick works in parts

Total dhamaal

*ing: Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffrey, Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Mishra, Johnny Lever

Rated: 5/10

With a 5-star star cast, one would expect the film to be great too as far as content is concerned. But then most of us are aware that the Dhamaal franchise that dates back to 2007, is more about nonsensical drama than the story line.

Therefore, the latest movie is the series from Inder Kumar is no different. The problem is that in the intervening years we have seen some great movies where content has been king and the viewers have got spoilt. Realism is the key the audience are looking for. Unfortunately, Total Dhamaal is anything but real.

Why else would Ajay Devgn all set to rob crores by just sauntering in and winging a heist by rappling down a hotel building using a fire hose of all things? Why would Anil Kapoor drive through the jungle on the word of a man who doesn’t even speak Hindi? Who in their right senses even pays Rs 2 lakh without looking at the helicopter they have bought and of this was not crazy enough put a ceiling fan as a rotor on the helicopter?

In order to digest all this and much more, one needs to leave one’s brains behind and then watch this film that has more downs than ups. And there are ups. First, it brings back Anil Kapoor-Madhuri Dixit Nene jodi back. Sad that for most part of the film they are bickering, they play a Gujarati husband and wife.

Then there is Ajay Devgn and his jodidar Sanjay Mishra. Devgn really needs to come out of his Singham mode and not keep slapping people who have the same reaction that one has seen a many other of his films. Mishra, of course adds comic relief with his punchlines or punch word like jaan and var. “Isney apni jaan apko deydi. Ab isko apna var bana lo — jaanwar.”

Such dialogues manage to being a smile even though they maybe slapstick. Adi and Manav — Arshad Warsi and Javed Jaffrey are mad as hatters as are Riteish Deshmukh and Pitobash Tripathy. Their antics maybe be tried and tested and be familiar they do manage to make you laugh.

Over all, while Total Dhamaal makes no sense to those who are looking for meaningful cinema, it does manage to entertain even if in parts.

 

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