Anil Kapoor’s performance saves this comedy Mubarakan

Director: Anees Bazmee Starring: Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ileana D’Cruz, Athiya Shetty, Neha Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah and Pavan Raj Malhotra Nothing is implausible if it Set in a Sikh family; the works in cinema. After all, drama is obviously high it is a part of getting the job strung. The characters are done and hence, one does supposed to be intelligent, not complain when it comes loud, family-oriented and to Mubarakan as it entertains yet they have the maturity of you wholeheartedly. gnats.

As the film opens, we are Again by the Bollywood informed that twins, Karan Code of Clichés, the twins and Charan, both played by both in love; Karan with Arjun Kapoor are separated Sweety (Ileana D’Cruz) and at birth. Not simply destined, Charan with Nafisa (Neha but absolutely required to, by Sharma) are expected to the bylaws of the Bollywood marry as per their foster par‘Code of Cliches’. ents’ wishes.

With a predictable plot, this So, when a proposal comes Anees Bazmee oeuvre with from a close family friend, all tropes of comedy like his Mr. Sandhu’s daughter Binprevious films is based on kle (Athiya Shetty), the duo personalities and dialogues. are tongue tied. They simply The audience is the target of cannot muster the courage the joke. When something to tell their respective foster funny happens, the actors parents about their love life. don’t react; the film itself reComplications arise when acts by what it shows next. the twin’s uncle Kartar Singh (Anil Kapoor) comes up with an “idea” to rescue his nephews, which leads to a big family fight. How they resolve the issues, forms the crux of the tale.

Though over the top, the actors are natural and very engaging. Real life uncle and nephew—Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor shine in their respective roles.

Arjun shuttles between the shrewish Karan and the shy goody boy Charan with aplomb. Anil Kapoor on the other hand offers nothing extraordinary that we have not seen him do in his earlier films. Together, their camaraderie is palpable on screen.

The three heroines, Ileana D’Cruz as Sweety, Neha Sharma as Nafisa and Athiya Shetty as Binkle are outright perfunctory in their approach.

While the rest of the cast laudably essasy their roles effectively, it is those in the side-lines who actually take centre-stage.

What contributes to their performance is undoubtedly the well-etched characters. Prominent among them are; Ratna Pathak Shah as Jeetu Bua and Karan’s foster mother and Pavan Raj Malhotra as Charan’s foster father Baljeet Singh who create an impact.

While the story by Balwinder Singh Janjua and Rupinder Chahal is clichéd, the dialogues with comic timings, cross-references and community-jibes are noteworthy and entertaining.

The songs are an aberration to the narrative. It simply breaks the impact, especially the songs with the lyrics, “Hawa Hawa” and “Tu Google Pake Nacha”.

While the first half of the film is a breezy laugh- aminute riot, the second half tends to be a bit melodramatic and preachy. With ace production values, the film is a glossy and high-ended.

Overall, the film is a wellpackaged entertainer. IANS