The Hindu : New Delhi News : It's all about laughter and fun....

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 24, 2006
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New Delhi

New Delhi

It's all about laughter and fun....

ZIYA US SALAM

BHAGAM BHAG

(At Shiela and other Delhi theatres)

Priyadarshan never tries to make pretty films. They just come naturally to him. He never really tries to make you laugh. Comedies come as easily to him as swatting flies sitting by a roadside dhaba. Not for a moment think that the man is not able to bring out the finer sensibilities. Only considerable ignorance and selective amnesia can make anyone level such a charge at the gifted man who has given us films like "Sazaa-e-Kala Pani" and "Virasat", among others. Of late, though, his redemption song has been comic. Traipsing on a thin, very thin, layer of logic and reason, he evokes laughter from all but the most grittily discerning. You have to be averse to the emotion not to laugh with him. "Bhagam Bhag", his latest offering, is no different.

It comes replete with one-liners, situational humour and over-the-top jokes. All combining to give this film a familiar touch of a comedy aimed at the masses. The banana peel works for Priyadarshan. When he churns out his outrageously loud comedies, he can make David Dhawan look sober and subtle. The knack for instilling his single-line storyline with a relentless momentum makes Dhawan's work seem tardy. This technique is hardly likely to be taught at many film institutes. It is a way of story-telling Priyadarshan has perfected all on his own, learning from his mistakes, embellishing his virtues.

Here he serves us a simple tale of an Indian drama troupe landing in London without the heroine. The director — old favourite Paresh Rawal in an act he can do in his sleep — of the play throws a challenge: whosoever finds a new heroine in London gets to play the hero! And two guys get down to work. It is all supposed to be leave-logic-in-the-closet fare. So the word "heroine" is mistaken by some for "heroin"! And the guys get to compete for attention!

Of course, the cops come in, their blundering ways in London equal to the challenge mounted by the guys from Mumbai! Enter a heroine — Lara Dutta, tall and almost too stately for this genre — who is saved from ending her life at the last moment by the would-be-hero of the play — another favourite of Priyadarshan, Akshay Kumar at complete ease. And you have the complete picture.

Complete, did one say? Well, almost. Because without Govinda, this film would be as complete as an eagle without its beak. The old master makes a comeback with this film — yes, he was seen in "Sandwich" too earlier this year, but that film was canned years ago. He has lost none of his touch. He is still a master at lingering expressions. His trademark laugh that caused many to whistle and clap is still intact. As is his ability to hold his own in front of anyone. A few years ago he was equal to the Big B in "Bade Miyan, Chhote Miyan". Here he loses nothing in comparison to Akshay, who himself goes up a notch in front of the new challenge.

Between them, Govinda and Akshay with some help from Paresh make "Bhagam Bhag" an enjoyable film, a film you can watch munching your packet of popcorn, sipping your cola. At the end of it all you will realise that life is not all about the blues. There are colours of joy and good cheer too. Never mind if Priyadarshan all along insists that logic be denied entry in a film being promoted with the tagline, "admit all". That is a minor concession for a film that is completely focused: focused at giving the masses a film that would make them laugh the easy laugh, sing along, and maybe even jive too.

As for Priyadarshan, the cynics might still have lingering doubts. The box office, though, will have another story to tell. "Bhagam Bhag" is not among his best efforts, not even among the better ones. Yet it works. Therein lies the greatness of the man. He is good even on an average day. Rush in for "Bhagam Bhag". You will come back smiling.

HAPPY FEET

(At Spice PVR, Noida; and Delhi theatres)

This is an absolutely amazing film. The familiar innocent joys of an animation movie come laced with identifiable human emotion. A tale of a penguin who cannot sing like others, but can dance like no one else, this film leaves you with that lump in the throat: hey, it is about a penguin, it could be about me. Or any child who cannot sing or dance but can draw, any man who can walk and run but cannot drive, any woman who can read but cannot write. Despite its specificity, there is a universality to director George Miller's film that is endearing. There is little sermonising, little by way of a detour to a moral science classroom. All the lessons come in unannounced, unobtrusive yet effective.

Here we have a little penguin, Mumble - voiced with élan by Elijah Wood - who is literally born dancing. Other baby penguins break out of their eggshell, stumble and stand on their colourful feet. Not so Mumble. He struggles to get out of shell, but that does not prevent him from showing his two dancing feet. He is like any penguin, yet unlike them all. He can never sing to find his mate. He can only swing and slide, tap his toes, flap his wings. Never mind that the others cannot do that. In conformity with the majority lies salvation here. How the little bird finds his way makes for an exhilarating journey, a journey that gives you dollops of warmth, and little bundles of joy. Add to that a little thrill of the bird's run and flight to save his life from a predator and you have entertaining fare all the way.

The canvas is big, the locales quite awe-inspiring. Snow flakes all around, melting ice, floating birds and fish all contribute to make this film a delight for heart and soul. Good voice-overs and fine music to accompany the songs makes "Happy Feet" a must watch this festive season.

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