Star cast: Ali Zafar, Siddharth, Divyendu Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Taapsee Pannu
Director: David Dhawan
What’s Good: David Dhawan easily surpasses the standards he had set for himself by giving the 1981 classic Chashme Baddoor an unusually quirky and unthinkable comic dimension.
What’s Bad: Despite coming of age, it is hard for Dhawan to miss out on his trademark slapstick genre of comedy which as usual gets a little unbearable at places.
Loo break: None.
Watch or Not?: The Chashme Baddoor remake comes as a pleasantly surprising tale from the house of Dhawans, abundant in humor and not slapstick buffoonery. Rendering a modern angle to the classic story, the film interestingly tugs at our nostalgic beads, remaining innovative making this one of the most remarkable romantic comedies of recent times. Hit the theatres armed with coke and popcorn, you wouldn’t want to miss this one!
User Rating:
The story opens in Goa retelling the old story of three friends, Sid, Jai and Omi. While the latter two waste a considerable amount of resources and energy chasing ladies, it is the humble Sid who strikingly contrasts them. Sid successfully woos the flatteringly pleasing Seema, while his friends are surprisingly left chasing.
Taking offense to their loss, Jai and Omi decide to play villains the Sid-Seema’s blooming love tale. Building up to a laugh riot of an ending, the film’s worth every bit of it!
Chashme Baddoor Review: Script Analysis
It was a daunting task to venture into remaking a cult film like Chashme Baddoor. The film is a proclaimed classic which made the yesteryear’s Deepti Naval-Farooque Sheikh pair a celebrated hit! This film has almost nothing like its predecessor given the new age, contemporary set up and the change of relationship dynamics since then.
The scriptwriters walk away with ample credit for giving the story a refreshing tapestry. Forbidding to sway around Dhawan’s trademark genre of comedy, the story’s narrative is not tedious or stretched! Maintaining to keep the film engaging till the very end, the film amuses us at every alternate scene.
I specifically was impressed with the way Chamko scene was dealt with. Refusing to reduce its original value, the scene was duly given to veteran actors to be handled. Spoofing up Bollywood with intelligent ironies, the film delivers intriguing rhymes and puns, giving us a few hilarious dialogues!
The story brilliantly focuses eloquently on the trio’s friendship and bromance keeping the film cheerful and perky.
Chashme Baddoor Review: Star Performances
While Ali Zafar has improved manifolds, he more often than not, falls short of leveling up to the Farooque Sheikh standard of work. I could have easily omitted the comparison, yet it comes almost naturally given the film’s invariably obvious link.
Ali Zafar still valiantly makes the attempt to match up to the yesteryear actor. His pretty little co-star fails dismally at it. Not having an ounce of Deepti Naval’s extravagant screen presence, grace and class, Taapsee is a disappointment despite a pleasing screen presence.
Siddharth is brilliant. His suave charm will remind us why despite a loaded star cast, he managed to get the women swooning over him post Rang De Basanti. The actor hasn’t lost his edge to match up to a strong script and stronger co-actors. We definitely must see a lot more of him in Bollywood, for the better!
Liquid ji ki Jai ho! Divyendu’s comic timing is impeccable and smart! The scriptwriter has been lenient on both Siddharth and Divyendu giving them the film’s more latently held meatier roles of being the mouthpiece. Muttering rhyming couplets and hilarious poetry, they will truly impress you. With an overtly overpowering screen presence, Chashme Baddoor belongs to Siddharth and Divyendu more than anyone else.
The veterans do not even need a mention. Undoubtedly doing their best, Lillette Dubey, Rishi Kapoor and Anupam Kher are ace at their work. Anupam Kher’s role is reminiscent of the No 1 Dhawan series of films and will make fondly miss Govinda’s buffoonery he was so darn good at.
Chashme Baddoor Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects
While the pain of the last week’s remake, still lingers on largely, David Dhawan comes up as a pleasant surprise for us! Quite unexpectedly, he manages to reform his work given the times in Bollywood. He ascends his standard of work managing to deliver a film as brilliant as Chashme Baddoor. Don’t expect a classic, but expect laughter, fun and immensely fulfilling entertainment. The film hasn’t been remade scene by scene, but it is its overwhelming essence which deserves a pat. The way I see it, this is Dhawan’s redemption for making us watch all the weird kind of Number 1 films which were so intolerable and stupid.
The dialogue writer shrewdly gives to his lines the wit and intellect of his thinking. At places, the lines come across as stupidly absurd, but nevertheless, you will still find yourself smiling!
The music is well placed without interfering with the film’s flow. All in all, it is impressive that Chashme Baddoor is anything but disappointing.
Chashme Baddoor Review: The Last Word
Chashme Baddoor is a creatively made remake, which refreshingly refashions its predecessor. David Dhawan has finally managed to leave his flamboyance back in the 90s, coming of age giving his genius the undue pending credit of years. The film valiantly holds its ground with humor and hilarious poetry. This one is a definite must watch!
Chashme Baddoor Trailer
Chashme Baddoor released on 5th April, 2013.
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