DHOL
LAUGHTER BEATS
By Vishal Verma
Rating:- * * *
What is it?
It continues to rain laughter in bollywood. ‘Partner’, ‘Hey Baby’, ‘Dhamaal’ and now its time to giggle to the funny beats of Priyadarshan’s ‘Dhol’.
The latest prescription by Priyadarshan has its laughter effects and side effects. But gladly enough the side effects doesn’t harm your laughing cells much. The prescribed laughter medicine works and gives the audience a 2+hr fun filled caper with some ‘gana bajana, ‘tappad bazi, ‘confusion’ and when the director is done with this, he orders some suspense.
The only problem over here is the entire diagnosis takes some extra time. Treatment in the second half is much gripping when the director spills the beans and gradually ‘opens’ the ‘pol’ of the ‘Dhol’.
Looking at Priyadarshan’s earlier work like ‘Hera Pheri’ or ‘Malamaal Weekly’, ‘Dhol’ is below par.
But that will not discourage ‘Priyadarshan’ to continue his affair with his ‘priya’ subject ‘comedy’. As long as the south Indian film industry exist and churn out comedies from time to time. Priyadarshan will continue his affair till his ‘saathva janam’.
Whats it all about?
Revolves around the lives of four friends – Sam (Tusshar Kapoor- low key), Pakkya (Sharman Joshi- gets a meaty role), Maru (Rajpal Yadav- back in form) and Goti (Kunal Khemu- improves further). The guys are good for nothing, but they’re bound together by their child-like notoriety and aimlessness. They all want to make it big in life with the least efforts possible. As a result, each one tries their hand at finding a short cut to success but ends up being in even deeper trouble instead. Things get worse as the four decide to take some desperate measures to end their misery once and for all.
After their unsuccessful jhol jhal for a bank loan, the chokras realize that the key to their bank lockers is hidden inside a rich bimbo’s heart. Surprisingly, to unlock their fates, A rich padosan Kanchan (Tanushree Dutta-strictly okay) arrives with his Dada (Om Puri- what a waste of talent) and Dadi (Farida Dadi- no comments) to find out the reason for the mysterious death of his brother (played by ……? Shivamani’s drumset with literature manual for guessing it right!). All four set out with their individual plans to marry the girl next door but eventually each and every move of the boys misfires.
Somehow they manage to get friendly with the padosan by spewing all lies but end up discovering a spine-chilling truth.
Which leads to much confusion, creating hilarious twists and turns, along with an element of thrill, crime, murder and suspense and not to forget the slaps which sometime sticks and sometimes makes you sick with no medicine available in the whole ‘kayanath’.What to look out for?
The chemistry between the four ‘chokras’ provides all the tickling required for your funny bones.
A couple of times it becomes hilarious and rip –roaring. Full times pass if you pack your logistics in the cupboard before entering the cinema hall.
Good to see Rajpal Yadav in all his element and coming out of the graves of chota dons and soorma bhopali’s. Welcome back and keep doing this Mr Yadav. You are awesome.
Sharman Joshi gets a meaty role and does well.
Asrani shows his experience and class.
Murli Sharma provides the required villainy
Payal Rohatgi is fine.
Kunal Khemu gets better.
Tanushree Datta is strictly okay.
Production values are up to mark
Priyadarshan maintains his trademark style to a lot of extent.What Not?
Below par considering Priyadarshan’s previous work. Could have been edited further to avoid a couple of yawns. This time too Priyadarshan beats the same tune from the down south with different drums and sticks.
Veteran like Om Puri is wasted. Arbaaz Khan and Tusshar Kapoor are low key.
Conclusion: All said and done Percept’s ‘Dhol’ directed by Priyadarshan has all the beats of laughter which can echo in multiplexes as well as in single screens.