For those who have seen the zany Hollywood comedy THERES SOMETHING ABOUT MARY will know the premise of the movie.
The film revolves around Karan(Shahid Kapoor) a sweet nerd who falls in love with Tanya(Rimmi Sen). He even manages to score a date with Tanya but after a fateful incident Tanya is forced to move to Dubai in such a rush that she doesn't even get a chance to tell Karan who is heartbroken.
3 years pass but Karan hasn't lost that one day he will meet Tanya again. He enlists the help of a dashing and suave investigator Rocky (Akshay Kumar) to help track Tanya down. Rocky goes to Dubai with his trusty yet not-so-smart sidekick(Vijay Raaz) and manages to find Tanya...but ends up falling in love with her at first sight. He tells Karan a fib to brush him off and starts scheming a plan so that Tanya falls for him..
On the other hand Tanya has a trusted physically disabled friend Sanju(Suneil Shetty) who manages to change Tanyas mind about any boy that comes into her life as he is madly in love with her himself. When Rocky enters the picture Sanju decides to cut Rockys line too. To add to the list of suitors there is Tommy(Paresh Rawal) who also secretly wants to marry Tanya.
Amongst all these "deewanas" and "paagals" who ends up getting Tanyas hand in marriage?
In terms of a story writer Neeraj Vohra deserves minimal credit. The story is a direct rehash of the Super Hit Farralley Bros. comedy THERES SOMETHING ABOUT MARY and in many cases it is a scene-to-scene copy. There has been a extra subplot added about a don who wants the formula for youth which is to incorporate the action scenes
In terms of a screenplay Kiran Kotrilal has done a great job. The movie moves at a breakneck pace from the word go and doesn't give the viewer a chance to think. The films pace does drop in the second half and while the second half is less funnier...both halves are just as entertaining.
For those who have seen THERES SOMETHING ABOUT MARY will notice that the team have manage to replicate some scenes exactly the same as the orignal including the set pieces, background and colour schemes. Just witness the scene where Akshay Kumar "revives" the dog(Matt Dillon in the orignal) or Shahid gets attacked by the dog(Ben Stiller in the orignal).
As a director this has to be one of Vikram Bhatts finest attempts to date. The director earlier remade the Hollywood Hit THE WHOLE NINE YARDS with the same team and the results were a side-splitting action comedy in the form of AWAARA PAAGAL DEEWANA. With DEEWANE HUYE PAAGAL he doubles the entertainment factor and polishes up on his directing skills with yet another remake(What else would one expect from Mr.Bhatt)?? Bollywood churns out countless rehashes each year-but very few directors manage to successfully rehash the orignal and make it just as entertaining but Vikram Bhatt manages that successfully due to the superb performances of his entire cast. The movie comes at a perfect time given that Vikram Bhatt has given a series of flops/disapointing films of late(INTEHAA, AETBAAR, ELAAN and JURM) and this film is bound to give him a new lease of life. Given the enormous budget, cast, premise and setting of the movie Bhatt does a perfect job at balancing everything. For those who have seen AWAARA PAAGAL DEEWANA will realise that Bhatts style of directing is the same...slick, stylish and extremely funny and Bhatt magnificently handles the comic scenes as well as the mindboggling action/stunts with equal flourish. Note: Some people may find the ongoing digs at retarded and handicapped people offensive and the movie is NOT for those who are easily offended. See it with an open mind and you will see..the movies aim is to ENTERTAIN and not offend...and boy does the movie entertain!
The performances hold the entire movie together and the every member of the cast does a SUPERB job..
Akshay Kumar yet AGAIN delivers a superb performance with a comic punch. Without a doubt Akshay Kumar is Indias new comedy king. His performance here isn't as good as GARAM MASALA in my view-but nevertheless Kumar plays a role that completely delivers to the gallery. His flawless timing, hilarious facial expressions, fantatsic body language and side-splitting delivery is all in full "zor" here. One can easily say that Akshay Kumar is one of the films MAJOR highlights! Three cheers...yet again Mr.Kumar.
Shahid Kapoor plays his part well although his role is a lot shorter than one would expect since he plays the main "hero" as such in the movie. Still Shahid plays his part efficiently and leaves a mark. His innocence looks help his character and Shahid is a absolute natural(witness the scenes at the start where he plays the geeky nerd complete with braces). His delivery has improved and his facial expressions are well done too. Shahids dancing is absolutely STUNNING as well.
Suneil Shetty is a definite eye opener. If one expected Suniel Shetty to be sidelined they will be very surprised as he has plenty of scenes and whats more surprising is that Shetty manages to raise some of the biggest laughs in the movie. He plays his character with absolute precision and his body language is ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS. Just witness the scene where Shetty goes to pick something off the ground. His getup is completely in sync with his character and his delivery and timing too is great. Shetty is in his mettle here and it's great to see the actor get his due.
Paresh Rawal is dependable as ever and the actor is a scene stealer yet again. Although the role isn't as meaty as say HERA PHERI or GARAM MASALA, Rawal does manage to leave his mark like only Paresh Rawal can.
Furthermore-what actually makes the film work is the blistering chemistry between the lead players--specially Akshay, Suniel and Paresh. The trio have given countless hits together and their Jodi is honestly Jodi No.1. The comfort level they share with each other really rubs off well onscreen which enhances their performances. The trio are addictive!
Rimmi Sen is no doubt the "girl of the moment". She has some of the biggest hits to her credit including BAGHBAN, DHOOM, GARAM MASALA and now most probably DEEWANE HUYE PAAGAL. Sen delivers a extremely confident and likeable performance here and is a complete natural. She is a natural beauty and shares good chemistry with all the leading actors and plays her part comfortably. Compared to her other releases this is Rimmi Sens meatiest role to date and she doesn't disappoint.
To top it off-the entire supporting cast are in top form too.
Johnny Lever is indeed a pleasure to see after a hiatus(never thought i'd be saying this again) and gives a controlled performance. His dialogues and delivery are spot-on. Hope Johnny gets more roles worthy of his talent in the future and doesn't succumb back to buffoonery
Vijay Raaz too excels in his part and complements Akshays performance superbly. The two share some really hilarious moments!
Om Puri is good in his part-although the actor is capable of much more.
Suresh Menon is effective although he can become highly irritating after a while.
Rakesh Bedi and Asrani play their parts as expected.
Vivek Oberoi(Now Viveik Anand Oberoi) plays the Sutradhar in the movie and sticks out as a sore thumb. He starts out well but after a while one gets irritated with his overdone facial expressions and annoying singing.
Aftab Shivdasani has a small guest role which has minimal impact.
Neeraj Vohra yet again deserves credit after GARAM MASALA for his HILARIOUS dialogues....
The music in the movie is foot tapping and Anu Malik is in top form here. The picturisations too are lavish and a treat for the viewers.
Akshay introductory number "CHAK LE" is superbly canned and sets the tone of the movie.
"MERI JAANE JIGAR" too is easy on the ears and the dance competition number "AISI UMAR MEIN" is brilliant. The choregraphy(Ganesh Acharya) by Shahid Kapoor and AKshay Kumaar is fantastic as the two really dance their hearts out. Watch as Akshay adds his trademark comedy in his dancing too!
Finally "MAAR SUTIYA" song only has one verse-given that this was one of the picturised and popular songs I wonder why the filmmakers have decided to chop this?..
Technically the movie is akin to any Hollywood film. The action scenes by Abbas Ali Moghul are mindboggling. The last 20 minutes is literally action packed and if you though the stunts at the end of AWAARA PAAGAL DEEWANA were over-the-top then you'll be surprised as DEEWANE HUYE PAAGAL goes one step further. Firoz Nadiadwala has indeed spent money like water and the stars have a blast!
Cinematography by Pravin Bhatt is stunning and one of his best works to date. The entire movie has a slick, gloss and bright look throughout.
All up where does that leave DEEWANE HUYE PAAGAL? Well it's not a classic by any means or even a "great" film..but the movie is "great" timepass entertainment which will leave the viewer going into with a smile...laughing their hearts out..and leaving with a smile. Remember like other comedies like MAINE PYAR KYUN KIYA, NO ENTRY, KYA KOOL HAI HUM and GARAM MASALA logic does take a backseat so leave your brains at home.....sit back and enjoy!
Final Rating: * * * *
