Why is director Priyadarshan miffed now? Last Diwali, Priyadarshan had two of his movies competing against each other. GARAM MASALA was released the same time KYUN KI hit the theatres. Now Priyan's movie CHUP CHUP KE is vying with PHIR HERA PHERI, a movie whose prequel 'Hera Pheri' was directed by him. Most of the cast and crew of Hera Pheri have moved on without Priyan to make the sequel 'PHIR HERA PHERI'. Neeraj Vohra, who had written the story of HERA PHERI and has directed a few forgettable movies so far, is the director of PHIR HERA PHERI.
And the fact is, PHIR HERA PHERI, though a comedy that's worth watching is blocks away from HERA PHERI. Priyan need not feel sorry. Released with a high expectation, PHIR HERA PHERI does not measure up. Priyan's penchant to give any movie a 'real touch' is missing in PHIR HERA PHERI as are so many other things like: perfect comic timing, imaginative direction and humor that have a solid punch.
There are definitely moments when you find yourself rolling with laughter, while watching this movie. For example every time the sinister looking speech impaired villain (Sharad Saxena) speaks, it's hilarious. But these moments are rare. And there is no steady trickle of humor, though the attempt for the same is ever present.
The plot couldn't have been better. Neeraj Vohra needs to be applauded for coming up with an absorbing plot.
Raju (Akshay Kumar), Baburao Apte (Paresh Rawal) and Ghanashyam (Suniel Shetty) are rich now. They are conned by Anuradha (Bipasha Basu) who vanishes away with all their money with the promise of doubling it in 21 days. Coaxed by Raju, Pappu (Rajpal Yadav) also has invested in the venture and lost his money. Pappu has actually taken his share of money from a under world don (Sharad Saxena) who can do anything to get his money back. Now the onus is on Raju, Baburao and Ghanshyam to repay the speech impaired don and if possible get back their money. Can they do it? Good story.
The whole thing boils down to the point that Neeraj Vohra had a superb script laced with wonderful comical situations that he could not transform successfully on the screen. The nagging feeling is that he couldn't tap on the immense potentials of his actors and capitalize on a well-conceived script.
All said and done PHIR HERA PHERI is a movie worth watching. Akshay Kumar strengthens his comic credentials as he can now enliven a simple scene with his genuine efforts and cause laughter. Paresh Rawal is as usually brilliant. Suniel Shetty is good too, whereas Bipasha Basu is hardly a replacement for Tabu. Rajpal Yadav justifiably gets a lot of footage to regale viewers with his brilliant performance.
Watch this movie, time pass guaranteed.
(src: www.nowrunning.com)
