Action Replayy (2010)

Is there more to Vipul Shah’s take on Back To The Futuresque film than just the item number ‘Zor Ka Jhatka’, or is Aishwarya looking attractive in a jumpsuit all that we can look forward to? All these questions and more can and will be answered by watching Action Replayy (AR), the latest work of the man who has brought us films like Aankhen, London Dreams, and Namastey London.

AR is a film about, it seems, marital disputes and the affect they can have on the offspring. In Bunty’s (Aditya Kapur) case, the effect is that of him never wanting to get married. His parents’ fights aren’t just arguments that end in one or the other making up with their partner, but rather with Akshay Kumar becoming more long-suffering and Aishwarya Rai shopping some more. Speaking of whom, it was a good call to style her as a tricked out older woman rather than a sad woman trapped in a bad marriage with her roots showing. Score a point for the stylist of the film. Speaking of which…

AR builds a lot of its foundation on the fact that it is set in the ‘70s. The sets, with Mumbai spots being refurbished to look new (or to look like they exist again), are groovy. It’s always fun to watch a period piece, simply because it is interesting to note how many details from those times can be recreated, and for someone who has never been to India except for the old family photos and old Hindi cinema, AR is a treat to watch as it creates some of that ambience you see in older Indian films. Old Indian movies always featured those old Ambassadors and the homes that just somehow look different from the houses we are used to seeing now, and the essence of another time is captured well in AR.

Then there are the costumes. They might not be exactly what the girls wore back in the day, but they are strongly based on the idea of what they did wear, only seemingly more stylish somehow, which means the clothes have somewhat been played with to appeal to the sensibilities of a new century.

Also, how can anyone resist a film with time travel (as in the Back To The Future trilogy?) Or a really not so serious take on sci-fi (as in Honey I Shrunk The Kids)? Both make for really good means to while away time, without having to invest too much of your brain into the plot, the character development or the subtle nuances of great cinema. Although BTTF was great cinema, no two ways about it. Anyway, AR does a lot of that pleasantly mindless entertainment thing, and though it sometimes seems like the film is being carried upon Aditya Kapur’s fairly new Bollywood existence, that’s not entirely a bad thing.

Aditya has previously starred in London Dreams, and has a pretty chunky role in AR. He is the son, the best friend and the cool guy who coaches his dad on how to be equally cool and win the heart of the object of his affection. Only in AR, Bunty, as the son has to first make his father think/ feel that the pretty girl next door, Mala, with the attributes of your local badmaash is in fact the object of his affection.

Mala, played by the stoniest woman known to mankind, Aishwarya Rai, actually manages to be…not so Aishwarya for once. Yes, the high pitched voice is in place, as is Aishwarya’s penchant to not look sad or affronted even when she is, but there are times she actually breaks out of all the usual trappings and really slides into her role of someone who enjoys picking on the effeminate Kishen (Akshay Kumar). This is Aishwarya’s other release this month, along with Guzaarish, and it seems that she is totally on an acting high with both, even though AR isn’t rated as high as Guzaarish.

Akshay Kumar is pretty funny as usual. His comic timing is excellent and he works well with Bunty’s character. The actors all play off each other and each one is endearing in their own way – even Neha Dhupia, who has perhaps the smallest part in the film.

That said, AR keeps up the humour factor pretty steadily except for the few times that it falters. The jokes are not Hera Pheri funny, but they still induce smiles and chuckles. AR builds itself a sweet momentum, but then doesn’t know where to go with it – Amina Baig

Rating – 3 out of 5

Cast and Production Credits

Year – 2010, Genre – Comedy/Drama, Country – India, Language – Hindi, Producer – Vipul Shah, Director – Vipul Shah, Music Director – Pritam Chakraborty, Cast - Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Randhir Kapoor, Neha Dhupia, Kiron Kher, Om Puri, Rannvijay Singh, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Sudeepa Singh, Rajpal Yadav

Housefull (2010)

There are many reasons to watch a particular movie. The star cast, the direction and the plot are some of them. When none of these antics work, the film is considered a failure. And here`s a rare movie that works on all three fronts.

Housefull has a killer star cast: one look at the movie`s poster will have anyone rushing to the cinemas or their nearest DVD stores. The direction has been well taken care of by a fairly new director, whose previous film Hey Baby (2007) was a huge hit, and considered one of the most entertaining movies of that year. The plot however, is so twisted that one can barely understand what happened when. But then perhaps that is the whole point of the movie.

Housefull is about one `loser`, who is doomed with bad luck no matter where he goes. He feels he will be saved from this horrible curse, once he finds his true love. Therefore, with the help of his best friend, he sets out on a journey, filled with unimaginable lies and deceit, where he sinks himself in a deep intricate web, from where resurfacing with the truth becomes almost impossible.

Now the humour is over the top, almost indigestible at times: There are some really crude jokes, and then there are those jokes that seem to be so forced that you feel like slapping the stars who delivered them. However, some scenes are hilarious, and one needs to give a round of applause to whoever came up with them.

Akshay Kumar is a hugely talented actor, and can easily fit into any kind of role. Throughout the movie, one`s mood fluctuation, from almost crying to laughing hysterically because of his acting.

If Jhoom Barabar Jhoom flopped then with Housefull Lara Dutta proves herself to be the queen of comedy. There aren`t many women in Bollywood who can look hot and be funny at the same time. The expressions on Lara`s face on their own are enough to have you giggling away, even if the scene isn`t really funny.

Deepika Padukone has never looked this gorgeous, and easily takes the award for having the best body in all of Bollywood. She carries herself with such ease and grace, that when she`s present on screen, she overshadows the others. Deepika looks great but its Lara Dutta who steals the show with her comic timing.

Arjun Rampal had the same X effect, as he looks so incredibly handsome, and has acted extremely well for the character he was portraying. Even if one does not like this kind of humour, the movie can be watched solely for the purpose of staring at these two beauties, that is Deepika and Arjun, sing and dance and prance around.

Jiah Khan, too has taken this opportunity to gain her self some recognition. This young star (of Nishabd fame or notoriety rather) has never looked this phenomenal. Her long gorgeous locks and her innocent face in this film will endear her far more to the audience than her Lolita act opposite Amitabh.

Boman Iran, adds another feather to his cap for some of the most hilarious characters everacted, whether it was the crazy college dean in 3 Idiots (2009), or the insensitive doctor in Munnabhai MBBS (2003), this man has left no stone unturned.

The songs aren`t great, you wouldn`t purchase the OST specifically. But even some of the soundtrack is hilarious. One track which keeps playing in the background has a man merrily singing “he is a loser, he is a loser, he`s such a such a such a such a loser”… we all know people we could sing that too. And and there is a song in the beginning where Jiah is trying to seduce the inexperienced Akshay, who doesn`t know how to react, which results in confusion and chaos.

Before anyone decides to watch Housefull, you should keep in mind the kind of humour that is being talked about here. It`s complete slapstick. There is extreme screaming, jumping, and unnecessary vulgarity at times. Also, the fact that it is a Saijd Nadiadwala Production (who has produced countless Govinda-category comedy movies) should be considered.

But it is the perfect movie to watch if you`re in the kind of mood where you feel like laughing loudly, for no reason… and you are the kind who laughs at silliness – Manal Faheem Khan

Cast and Production Credits

Year – 2010, Genre – Comedy, Country – India, Language – Hindi, Producer – Sajid Nadiawala, Director – Sajid Khan, Music Director – Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, Sameer, Cast - Deepika Padukone, Riteish Deshmukh, Jiah Khan, Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Lillete Dubey, Randhir Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Lara Dutta, Malaika Arora