Bottomline : Creating their own world of comic-book characters, whimsical situations and highly stylised set pieces, the makers of Shaandaar have taken insanity to a different level altogether that might even put an Anees Bazmee film to shame. Yet, if you're willing to overlook the silly and predictable story, there is good fun to be had in this two and a half hours of inspired lunacy.
Review: Let me start off by saying Shaandaar is the kind of film you'll either guiltily embrace or passionately despise. Imagine a world where people get into a private jet and fly miles away from life's problems, or a world where the domineering head of the family sneezes to an instant death, or a place where a bunch of characters get high over mushrooms and pot brownies and start doing the weirdest things possible. If all this seems absurd, then Shaandaar has much more in store for you. It is de facto a combination of the traits of the two production houses of the film; the elaborate set pieces of Dharma (run by KJo) and the quirkiness associated with the Phantoms (of which director Vikas Bahl is a part). However, even amidst this ludicrosity, Vikas Bahl, of Queen fame, does a good job of giving us some charming moments and genuinely funny scenes and credit must go to the actors who seem to be having a great time. It is a treat to watch the father-son pair quibble over Shahid's romantic overtures towards Alia and Pankaj Kapoor, as usual, is terrific as the person who is Nana Patekar from outside and Amol Palekar from the inside. Shahid and Alia share a warm chemistry that's easy on the eyes and Amit Trivedi's soundtrack is as unconventional (though not among his best works) as Vikas's hand at exaggerated comedy. Agreed, this is a far-from-perfect film and there are bizarre moments that stick out like a sore thumb, but Shaandaar manages to keep you engaged till the end even as madness and mayhem break loose, especially in the last 15 minutes of the film. This can, in fact, be termed as a zanier version of Dil Dhadakne Do.
I'm going with 3/5 for Shaandaar. It's nowhere close to the unabashedly hilarious Tanu Weds Manu Returns, but it has enough fun and froth to keep it afloat. If you don't mind watching a film where the actors seem to perform on their own and not to a script, then you may as well give Shaandaar a chance.
Review: Let me start off by saying Shaandaar is the kind of film you'll either guiltily embrace or passionately despise. Imagine a world where people get into a private jet and fly miles away from life's problems, or a world where the domineering head of the family sneezes to an instant death, or a place where a bunch of characters get high over mushrooms and pot brownies and start doing the weirdest things possible. If all this seems absurd, then Shaandaar has much more in store for you. It is de facto a combination of the traits of the two production houses of the film; the elaborate set pieces of Dharma (run by KJo) and the quirkiness associated with the Phantoms (of which director Vikas Bahl is a part). However, even amidst this ludicrosity, Vikas Bahl, of Queen fame, does a good job of giving us some charming moments and genuinely funny scenes and credit must go to the actors who seem to be having a great time. It is a treat to watch the father-son pair quibble over Shahid's romantic overtures towards Alia and Pankaj Kapoor, as usual, is terrific as the person who is Nana Patekar from outside and Amol Palekar from the inside. Shahid and Alia share a warm chemistry that's easy on the eyes and Amit Trivedi's soundtrack is as unconventional (though not among his best works) as Vikas's hand at exaggerated comedy. Agreed, this is a far-from-perfect film and there are bizarre moments that stick out like a sore thumb, but Shaandaar manages to keep you engaged till the end even as madness and mayhem break loose, especially in the last 15 minutes of the film. This can, in fact, be termed as a zanier version of Dil Dhadakne Do.
I'm going with 3/5 for Shaandaar. It's nowhere close to the unabashedly hilarious Tanu Weds Manu Returns, but it has enough fun and froth to keep it afloat. If you don't mind watching a film where the actors seem to perform on their own and not to a script, then you may as well give Shaandaar a chance.
No comments:
Post a Comment