I do not do film reviews. But this weekend, the film critic of `Tenali Rama Reports’ who was to review `Housefull 2′ reported sick. I suspect she did so deliberately. Don’t ask me why. So here I was at the multiplex, popcorn and notebook in hand, to do the first film review of my journalistic career.
And let the truth be told. What a movie. What a movie. At the outset, I would like to recommend this film as India’s entry to the Oscars. Even the jury there ought to know what class of movies mainstream Bollywood makes. How often do you get as many as 12 stars in a film, all of them searching for an item called `the story’. A mystery that doesn’t get solved till the end. A case for `Housefull 3′, I guess. Smart thinking, Sajid Khan !
A twitter handle @shadymumbai put it so well when she described director Sajid Khan as “a powerful filmmaker”. But after that she tweeted something about Sajid having collectively destroyed the careers of 12 actors. Ah, Sajid, don’t fret, I think it is a case of sour grapes. All those who could not be accommodated by you in `Housefull 2′ will crib about it. Never mind. Professional hazards.
Right from the first reel, it is obvious Sajid has worked on his lines. Like “You langoors, have my angoors.” So much toilet humour and double meaning dialogues that no wonder the person sitting next to me, was holding his head in his hand after the first 20 minutes. I understood his plight, for you need to be of a certain class to appreciate Sajid’s sense of humour. Poor guy, he just didn’t have it in him.
The film brings Randhir and Rishi Kapoor together on screen. I could imagine Raj Kapoor must be shedding tears in his grave seeing his sons showing extreme courage to do this in their old age. Another person who would be crying must be David Dhawan, who after seeing `Housefull 2′ would realise he has such a long way to go.
I usually watch movies by Mani Ratnam in Tamil and Shaji Kailas in Malayalam. And as much as I love Mani and Shaji, I hate to say this that their films are nowhere near what Sajid Khan has directed. And my guess is that even if they were to be reborn, they cannot make a `Housefull 2′. Sorry, please don’t mind.
I must however admit that I was surprised that more than half the hall emptied out post the interval. My guess is that they must have seen the film on Friday and having loved it, had returned to watch the first half again on Saturday. Sajid Khan can feel so proud of his labour of love. Ram Gopal Varma, you got competition dude !
Sajid usually says he does not care for critics and that he does not make movies to get good reviews. But I am sure, my review will stand out in the crowd.
When the film ended, a guy walking out of the cinema hall said aloud : “Sajid Khan should not have let Shahrukh Khan beat up his brother-in-law, Sirish Kunder. He should have stepped up and taken the blows on his face.” As I drove back, I kept wondering why did he say that. Any clue?
P.S. My editor tells me I should give stars out of 5 for `Housefull 2′. I go with 5/5 because 24 hours after watching the film, I am still seeing a lot of stars. Thankyou Sajid.
Discussion
No comments yet.