“Deewane Huye Paagal” is the latest offering from the Vikram Bhatt stable. This is most unlike any other Vikram Bhatt film – in that it’s the first comic film he has attempted. It’s “inspired” by “There’s something about Mary” and a couple of scenes are a straight lift!
The story is simple – six guys are in love with one girl – Rimi Sen. There is a small sub-plot about an underworld don desperately seeking the key to a youth formula which is in the memory of a toy parrot with Rimi. The six suitors are Shahid Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Suniel Shetty, Suresh Menon & Asrani. The other two significant characters in the film are Vijay Raaz – Akshay’s sidekick & Johnny Lever – Shahid’s mentor. That is a rather large cast to manage and to Vikram Bhatt’s credit he does a better job than Priyadarshan did with “Garam Masala”
Tanya – Rimi – is the hottest girl in college and the whole college is in love with her – including Karan – Shahid Kapoor – the orphan who studies and works in the college canteen. One day she witnesses the murder of a scientist who has invented the “youth elixir” and therefore has to flee the country overnight. Karan of course is pining away and when he discovers three years later that she is in Dubai – he decides to go to Dubai. However his friend Johnny Lever suggests that they hire the services of Rocky – Akshay Kumar – a conman to find out the whereabouts of Tanya in Dubai. The moment Rocky sees Tanya – who is now called Natasha – he promptly falls in love with her. However there is already a set of other suitors in line! Thus begins a fun filled comic caper with each one trying to outdo another!
Akshay Kumar as Rocky is absolutely outstanding – as usual! This man has a flair for comedy which is brilliant. Of course it helps that he also has some of the best lines in the film. The other honorable mention that needs to be made here is that of Vijay Raaz. Brilliant as Akshay’s rather dim sidekick. Apart from these two – the others are just fillers. Yes - all of them are props to a story – necessary but not contributing positively. It was a bit saddening to see comic talents like Paresh & Johnny wasted. Shahid has turned in a good performance although he had a serious role in an out & out comic caper.
Rimi – being the sole female lead in the film – has an extremely critical role. She has done justice to it in terms of acting – however – and this is a purely personal opinion – for somebody who was supposed to have 6 men running after her – the director could have chosen a better looking girl! She herself looked far better in Dhoom than she does here!
Music is so-so. The first song – in the casting, and the performance song after the interval are good. Shahid of course is a brilliant dancer.
The Climax: How can I leave that! Its in the glorious Awara Paagal Deewana tradition – lots of stunts on bikes, desert buggys etc. Actually a bit of a yawn since it got stretched a little and the matrix type stunts were a little overdone.
All in all a good one time watch.