PARTNER
‘HITCH’ IN LOVE LESSONS
By Vishal Verma
Rating:- * * *
What is it?
Ek ‘Chhoti Si Baat’, expectations are bound to be high when everybody wants to see the awesome threesome combination of the Hunk No.1, Entertainer No.1 and Director No.1(in public and their own opinion including me) and eagerly wait for the moment to arrive. So, here it is, David Dhawan gets his favorite dudes together for the first time and churns out an entertainer in trade mark David Dhawan ishtyle.
You don’t have to hold any special degree to judge and analyze the logic behind all the happenings. The Director no1. after the ‘Shaadi No. 1’ debacle finds his Midas touch and offers a ‘Partner’ ship proposal which nobody can refuse.
On screen chemistry between the uptown dude and the very own virar ka chokra turned actor turned neta is electric. One question from the no.1’s – why was this not tried before but better late than never.
But, the film has its flipsides the idea is inspired from the Will Smith starrer ‘Hitch’ and also has some loose traces from Basu Chatterjee’s ‘Chhoti Si Baat’. But that does not take away the credit from David in making ‘Partner’ a movie which stands on its own. This love pudding has its eggs, cream, and sugar in places and is tasty enough to fulfill your appetites for a 2+ hr time pass fun filled entertainer.Whats it all about?
Prem (phir wohi name) played by Salman Khan is a "date doctor" who, for a fee has helped hundreds of men get the woman of their dreams. This me no money while you have your honey love masiah gets really charged up by this clumsy buffoon Bhaskar Divakar Chaudhary (Govinda) who in all quandaries loves Priya Jaisingh (Katrina Kaif), the rich and famous daughter of a business tycoon played by Dilip Tahil for 2 scenes.
Prem discovers that all of his tried and tested tricks of the trade are no match for Naina (Lara Dutta), the one and only woman he truly loves; who works for a newspaper as a journalist. Who is also a single mother who can’t mingle? Salman Khan helps Govinda to find his lady love, and simultaneously manages to take some time out to win the hearts of his honey and the apple of her eye. After, overcoming many hurdles which come their way when almost it’s time to say goodbye. But after some cry and investigating journalism both the couples join together and spend their honeymoon in the same hotel but adjacent room.
What to look out for?
The on screen chemistry between Salman and Govinda is electrifying.
The duo set the screen on fire with their distinctive comic timing and mannerisms.
Sanjay Chhel does a fine job in writing their scenes and special care is taken in dialogues which turn out to be hilariously funny at some places and very situational.
The film is worth watching again and again for the climax. That hilarious couple of minutes can burst any soul into laughter.
David Dhawan maintains his reputation of an entertaining story teller of his own class and style. Hindi movie buffs know what to expect from a David Dhawan flick and he does not disappoints. Production values are superb. Music by Sajid Wajid is good while one is watching the film the title song and ‘My Love’ are well picturised.
Talk about performance, well Salman Khan as the love guru excels, it is a tailor made role for him and he is first rate. This actor has really come of age as an actor and to comfortably and confidently share the scene with Govinda in a David Dhawan flick is quite riveting. Govinda as the clumsy lover is outstanding, the versatile performer is back (who told him to join politics) he should be hitting the silver screen rather than been bitten by the rajniti ka kida.
This actor has made a statement with this film that he is here to stay, he cannot be written out.
Lara Dutta shines ..What Not?
Some buffoonery is always expected from a David Dhawan venture and here also he does not disappoint in that matter. The missile adventure in Thailand is a sheer waste of everything and uncalled for. Much to my aghast Rajpal Yadav take on DON is pathetic.
Katrina Kaif is wasted. Aarti Chhabria also falls in the same league.
All said and done ‘PARTNER’ is a film worth watching for 2major reasons.
1 Salman and Govinda together for the first time on screen.
2. This could be Govinda’s real comeback vehicle.