EKKEES TOPPON KI SALAAMI: A satisfying change from regular slapstick comedies! Give it a shot! [3/5]

The lower middle class has been vanished from Hindi films for quite some time now. The last time we had something notable belonged to that part of the Indian population was Rajat Kapoor’s thoroughly believable and psychological introspective drama ANKHON DEKHI. EKKEES TOPPON KI SALAAMI is far from joining that masterstroke in the same rank but that’s only because it chooses to be a mainstream film polluted with songs that rarely come with a dependable explanation and lousy melodrama meant to target the larger part of the picture. Still, it is a film with good content and a wise intent to highlight an honest common man’s want to have at least an honorable end to his struggled for long life.

If given a chance, most would die to be born again but not to the same parents! Shekhar [Manu Rishi] and Subhash [Divyendu Sharma of PYAR KA PUNCHNAMA] never really approve their father’s lesser paid government job and his rock steady moral values to stay honest at any cost. Things change when Purushottam Joshi [Played by Anupam Kher] dies with false charge of being a corrupt employee just before he was to be retired. And now the sons are left with his last wish to have a 21 gun salute at his final ceremonial service in order to regain his lost respect.

Ravindra Gautam’s EKKEES TOPPON KI SALAAMI is a satirical take on today’s youth, political scenarios, and on the changing phase and face of media too. So, you will find many interesting characters and the deadpan jokes and good one-liners coming in free flow every now and then. When a state chief-minister [Rajesh Sharma] gets exposed in a scam of allotting government bungalow to his love-interest a flop Bollywood actress [Neha Dhupia], all he is concerned about the sum of the scam as it is too small to put him in the big league. You will also see a power-hungry mother [the veteran Uttara Baokar] pitching herself to the High Command modeled on the powerful kingmaker of Congress, as her son’s worthy successor. There is also a struggling writer in films [Aditi Sharma] now writing officially for the chief minister and in one sequence intelligently translates all his abusive, offensive and insulting remarks into a politically correct press-release.

Filled with humor [most come from corruption & politics] and drama [soaked in middle-class values] that might sound outdated, film falters in the second half when most of the events look too convenient to be convincing and it all takes too much time to fizzle into the climax. Never mind! The performances never bore you. Anupam Kher outshines everyone and emerges as the strongest pillar of the film. With shades and emotions borrowed from any common man’s life, this one is his most absorbing performance in recent. Absolutely flawless! Manu Rishi & Divyendu don’t disappoint and stay true to their roles. Rajesh Sharma showers plenty of laughs and gags as the corrupt, lewd and loud-mouthed politician pampered by his opportunist mother. Uttara Baokar excels in that role. Neha Dhupia sizzles with her caricature-ish portrayal of camera-loving actress, especially in ‘Ghoor Ghoor Ke’ song where she appears as most of the top bollywood actresses in their best on-screen avatars.

To conclude, EKKEES TOPPON KI SALAAMI succeeds in making you uncomfortable with emotionally charged-up sequences but also gives you enough room to laugh out loud. A must if you want a satisfying change from regular double-meaning, sexy, slapsticks! [3/5].

KAANCHI: Average mash-up of uninspiring Events! The old Ghai is missed! [2/5]

It is said that once Charlie Chaplin entered a Chaplin look-alike contest and came second in impersonating himself, now that’s an excellent example of compliment for the artist. But if the showman Subhash Ghai wants to make a Subhash Ghai film and ends up making it look like some hardcore fanmade job, it doesn’t leave much scope for any admiration. His latest KAANCHI is a strictly average mash-up of uninspiring events lifted and borrowed mostly from his own works in the past.

KAANCHI tells us about a simple, straightforward and bold girl from some remote village in Uttarakhand [Ghai’s new discovery Mishty], who doesn’t think twice before standing up against the injustice. When a corrupt politician [Mithun Chakraborty] and a rich businessman [Rishi Kapoor in a Malya inspired character], the brothers-cum-partners in crime join hands to grab an illegal land-deal, Kaanchi’s love-interest Binda [PYAAR KA PUNCHNAMA fame Kartik Tiwari] takes the torch to bring them out in the light. Meanwhile, the infatuated son and worthy successor of the evil forces has lusty intentions towards Kaanchi. The fate has worst for her in its kitty but it’s the undying determination that makes her constantly move forward in this fight against injustice.

With a strong likeness of TAAL and PARDES in visual representation and the happening of the events in the film, there is hardly any scene that is not seen before on screen. It is clearly evident that Ghai still lives and breathes in the same world he was in 10-15 years back. No signs of evolution registered! The sights of villagers singing and dancing in chorus on a big community ground having tricolors in their hands are so so done to death. There is no escape for you from watching our leading lady seducing the villain to acquire some important information kept in a micro SD card and if that doesn’t prove to be the cause of death of your interest in the film, you will have to witness another baddie kidnapping family members of the other side. Am I in 2014 or transported in 70’s Bollywood??

On the performances, the new find Mishti looks fresh and a stunning treat for camera lenses and viewer’s eyes. About acting, all I can say is she’s confident but a long way to gain other’s in her. Kartik impresses in his comparatively shorter role. Rishi Kapoor and Mithun Da do it with ease, since that come with the experience they have but their roles will not be much of an unforgettable experience. If anyone who really gets into the skin of the character, it is Chandan Roy Sanyal as a corrupt cop-turned-good helping soul to Kaanchi. He brings life to every frame he’s in.   

Talking about a Subhash Ghai Film and not mentioning its music? Now, that’s another shame. Ridiculous lyrics [one goes like, “Tu mushtanda tu sexy, tu chalti phirti taxi"], lackluster tunes and a totally average album!! I wish you could watch the weirdest medley of the year titled as ‘Kambal ke neeche’ where Mahima Chaudhary makes a special appearance! It’s hard to sit through such idiocy in times where we intent to talk about changing times and still go back to old formulas for safe way of entertainment.

To put this in short, KAANCHI is a 2 hour 30 min long missing report where we see all our hopes to find glimpse of the Subhash Ghai style of filmmaking die sooner or later! Disappointing!! [2/5]