This was a wonderful comedy. No cheap humor, no poor jokes, just a simple inexpensive movie made with a great script, good jokes and wonderful actors. I have seen it umpteen times but it has never failed to amuse me. Well made, well directed, very well acted, the movies picks up more laughs as it develops and at the same time, provides a wonderful emotional climax showing the maturity and sensitivity of the director towards human issues and problems. The star cast Nasiruddin Shah, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur, Satish Kaushik, Neena Gupta and above all, Satish Shah has been outstanding in the performance of their roles.
The most remarkable thing about this movie is its approach towards describing corruption and bribery, which have permeated almost all the spheres of our lives, in the most lucid and comic way. According to the plot, two struggling photographers, in an attempt to earn their bread and butter and to make a name, accidentally get involved in the filth that ‘system’ is and which includes everybody from the police to media to politicians to builders. Once involved they try to expose everyone involved but a big question arises- Will they survive? The satirical way of explaining this rampant corruption at every level and how an honest man is falls prey in the hands of the big fish, conveys a serious message. The climax at a small theater where "The Mahabharata" is being staged is by far the funniest moments in the history of Indian Cinema. Crime has never been so much fun. Yet the film never loses its edge, its cynicism of what happens in the real world.
Though the movie is not technically so sound, it should be remembered that it is an attempt of some of the fresh graduate students. The Indian Film Industry has very few scripts to match this one. It ends with a sort of Anti-Climax where the bad guys win but it is a brave attempt on the part of a newcomer director. The situations created are extremely hilarious to say the least. Innovative scenes, unforgettable dialogues, tickling backdrops and excellent acting make this movie a classic and a must see for everyone.