“This story is about Hadbahedi, a utopian town. Wish it could be true!”
This film is Rishi Kapoor’s (Chintuji) tribute to his father Raj Kapoor, and believe me it is such a devoted attempt! However, I couldn’t help notice the stark resemblance of the storyline with Bhisham Sahni’s ‘The Boss Came to Dinner’; only here the whole village plays the role of the ever-sacrificing mother. I know it sounds clichéd here, but believe me it is quite adorable. The image of a utopian town and its people almost makes you wish that there was a real town like it. People are happy and content. They love and believe in each other, make ghor prayashchitt - they diligently attempt to amend and make-up for their sins, if any, are peace-loving, and are basically content. They’re a happy bunch who swear by their saint ‘Satyakaam’ and never wrong.
The tag-line: it is simple. However, it does take crisp pot-shots at real life biggies every now and then – you know, at the Mallyas, rail mantris, and Amar Babus who ride the film-polity bandwagon. The film apparently had a very humble promo work before release in September (I guess) 2009…so most of us probably missed it, but it is a cute must-see, if not an Oscar ensemble.
RK does a wonderful job. The film is directed by Ranjit Kapoor, of Jaane bhi do Yaaron, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Bandit Queen, and The Legend of Bhagat Singh fame. He’s also the father of Annu Kapoor and Grusha Kapoor, who've both bagged cute roles in the film, and have done well too. While the veteran Om Puri weaves magic with his amazing baritone from behind the camera, the adorable RK and Saurabh Shukla are cute and absolutely adorable on-screen.
The story is simple, sweet, no-glitz, no-nonsense running around trees in alien lands, hence, not much money flushed down…you know where. Well, so if you’re looking for a cute heroine, clad in pink-n-purple barely there tops and µ-minis, and fully loaded with amazing layers of make-up ….ohhhh the usual riot of colors on eyelids and eyelashes, hair and lips, nails and cheek-bones…this ones not for you.
There is a subtle green-eyed and dimple-cheeked lass, Kulraj Randhawa playing ‘Devika’, Chintuji’s PR manager, managing to add some gloss to the canvas every now and then. However, the still beautiful Kseniya Riyabinkina, you know the beautiful actress who played a Russian trapeze artist in Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker, steals the show in the 1 minute she appears on-screen. She still looks the same – petite, doe-eyed, innocent smile, just a few seasons added to her grace. Devika is paired alongside Priyanshu Chatterjee, who plays a runaway terror suspect, alias ‘Arun Bakshi’ - the local newspaper editor. He is apparently innocent and is being framed by the bad guys.
The almost crippled with make-up and tight-clothed Sophie Choudhury makes a small appearance, acting herself….you know a typical Bollywood chic ;) She does live up to her 9tanki image as well. & then there are cute and innocent village oldies here and there, who just run around doing their cute old guys’ acts making the story even cuter. It’s a nice film, a shame that it bombed at the box-office!
And here’s to Rishi Kapoor, he must be a real darling that he signed on to playing such a negative character....a completely spoilt brat…even though he’s playing his own real name. A thing rarely seen in this image-savvy industry. Hats off :)
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