Director: Vikram Bhatt
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Aftab Shivdasani,
Paresh Rawal, Preeti Jhangiany, Amrita Arora, Aarti
Chhabria
Review
He kicks and bends it like Beckham, summer of meager
returns, Awara Paagal Deewana may just cheer you up.
And Vikram Bhatt too, after all not many turned up to
greet him when he beckoned with Aap Mujhe Achhe Lagne
Lage earlier this year pulls like Dravid; and to berrow
an oft -repeated expression, flies liked a butterfly,
strings like a bee. He is Akshay Kumar, not the best
of actors but one who is growing amiable with every
film. He is brighter and grows a notch here as the go-getter
man into matrimony for pecuniary benefit. He gets to
do some whistle-attracting stunts here, reminding one
of a certain Matrix! Keeping him company is Sunil Shetty,
the man who invited scowl for a fleeting visit at the
time of Balwaan and ended up conceding permanent residence
on his countenance. If Akshay here is all agility, his
man is all muscles. He has beaten guys to pulp without
the scowl giving way to remorse or a grimace in the
past. He does it here as well. And just as well. With
them is Aftab Shivadasani, the little boy who seems
to have strayed on to the studios from school, though
he would have been a dentist's possible fish. As a dentist
here, his performance shows the obvious absence of that
something called wisidom tooth. Never mind, he is yet
to cut one!
With
our three hunks, there is a bevy beauties, each as inviting
as sweets in a confectionary shop. And each probably
occupying as much space in the film. Left to themselves
Preeti Jhangiani, Amrita Arora and Aarti Chhabria -
all one-film old can probably breathe life into listless
parties. Here they attempt to do just a tad more elementary
acting, dancing and an exhibition of figure and face
in that orders that is required of a newcomer. And fall
just a wee bit of short.
With these young men and women we have the not-so-young
Paresh Rawal proving once again that what the surging
passion of youth can accomplish, the calm waters of
experience too can. And with greater dignity. Ina comic
role here, he only repeats himself. He knows every nuance
of his work. He gets to display his repertoire once
more. And gets some help from dialogue writer Neeraj
Vora who reserves the best lines for him, leaving poor
Aftab sulking in the shadows. As the henpecked husband,
Paresh is groomed for excellence.
Awara
Paagal Deewana is more innovative than is name suggests,
more bearable too.
This
film opens with the story of a diamond-rich sethji -
Om Puri in a role he would have probably forgotten before
the film was completed - who leaves behind diamonds
worth crores stacked up in a bank in the U.S. - reason
enough for our Bollywood guys to go to Oman for some
breathtaking visuals, thrilling action, fast music.
Among the inheritors of his splendid legacy are Akshay,
Preeti and Rahul Dev - the villain who looks better
than the heroes! No equitable distribution here for
the two men want to bump off each other to enhance their
share. Greed, you see, is a frequent visitor that sneaks
in unannounced, builds a durable bond with the inhabitant
and refuses to leave! It leads to animosity, bullets,
brave fights and all that cheers the stalls. But really,
you won't mind watching this action-packed film simply
because it comes packaged with consistent comic touches.
Some of the scenes might be too loud, some of the jokes
a shade challenging for morality not flexible enough
but take all that in your stride. In this summer of
meager returns, Awara Paagal Deewana may just cheer
you up. And Vikram Bhatt too, after all not many turned
up to greet him when he beckoned with Aap Mujhe Achhe
Lagne Lage earlier this year.
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