Infrastructure development is the need of the hour. Roads, Bridges, railways, waterways...movement of goods and services are must for the progress. Ours is a poor country. We have not has sufficient funds to remove the billion plus people’s basic needs. Still we borrow from outsiders to bring development. The idea is to make development which can reduce our production cost and our products more competitive, which in turn will feed to the hungry people. What if the contractors and politicians join hands to eat major chunk of the funds? When, the administration, say bureaucracy which are suppose to supervise the quality too take part this day light robbery from the mouth of the poor, where is the ray of hope? Corruption! How much it eats into the path of development?
Sachin Tichkule (Akshay Kumar) is a small time road contractor who is struck by cash ridden Municipal red tape. He is a small fish in a big tank (parivaar), where sharks (read brothers/brother in laws) swim blind folded following the sound of greed. Once a person who was fighting for justice, Sachin is now is entering to the world of corruption which is the lifeline of survival. His hopes now are pinned on the arrival of new municipal commissioner, Gehna Ganpule (Thrisha Krishnan). Things were not going to be easy for Sachin. Welcome to the miniature of the real world, Khatta Meetha.
Unlike one may assume after watching the trailers, this is not a slap stick comedy, but a ’comedy’ which attempt to rip apart the system which is holding back the development of our nation. This remake of Priyadarsan’s own malayalam film ’Vellanakalude Nadu’ (The land of White Elephants), reminds us that the virus of corruption lived through 25 years comfortably and even now it is more strong than before. The movie is packed in the colourful gift wrapping paper of comedy to make sure that the social message reaches to the masses. The movie has a good share of comedy scenes which can take the theaters down. And mind you, it is not mindless comedy, but thoughtful ones. Dialogues however, seems not quite matches to the tempo of the film and it could have been better managed.
The director retained the soul of the film well in the remake. However, with the modern day changes in corruption in style and magnitude, the film could have been better packaged. The story and scenes moves well for a full 2 hours with a perfect combination of comedy and social message. However, the last 40 minutes or so could have been better presented and definitely the climax could have been little more dramatic if not realistic.
Akshay Kumar now have winner in hand with Khatta Meetha. His comic timing is excellent and gives another fine performance when it comes to comedy. Akshay is a joy to watch in well timed comedy scenes, and this film gives stand witness for that, excellent. However, it is another story when it comes to serious acting, the serious actor in Akshay is a let down. Then, there are some scenes where Akshay is shown as a college boy and believe me, he looks cool!! Trisha Krishnan is good as the leading lady though in limited scenes. She is better in her college day scenes and in songs. Rajpal Yadav scores again for Priyadarsan. Children simply love this guy. Manoj Joshi (good), Neeraj Vohra (good to see him onscreen), Markand Deshpande (Guest role), Aruna Irani (Small role), Milind Gunaji, Asrani, Urvashi Sharma & Tinu Anand - all did their small roles comfortably. The villan makes an impression in the beginning, but by the end the influence is been reduced, thanks to the weakened screen play by the end.
V Manikandan, the cinematographer never fails us and Khatta Meetha is another fine example of that. He simply captures beauty of nature wherever he gets a chance and brings superb light and shade combinations and angles when it comes to picturisation of songs and he enhance the thrill of action scenes where the effort is visible. Excellent!
Songs of the film are very good and with some beautiful picturisation and choreography they contribute well to the success of the film.
Editing is very good in the first half though in the last 35 minutes or so, the editor could have done a better job.
Background scores are good and limited action scenes are casual but effective.
The film is an all round entertainer with a good dose of comedy, romance, action and above all, a social message.
Fully recommended for a hearty watch!