For the most part, Lafangey Parindey trundles along at a fair clip, although it never turns into anything more than a predictable ride. On the way, there is much bump and grind, and flying fists and bloodied noses too. But behind it all is a wholesome human tale that celebrates the doggedness of those that are down and but not out.
Not everything that Lafangey Parindey delivers is likely to strike the audience as convincing, but on the whole the impact of this effervescent entertainer is pretty rounded, which, given the many recent misfires from the Yash Raj Films(YRF) cannon(Tashan, Pyaar Impossible, Dil Bole Hadippa, Badmaash Company), is saying a lot.
In Lafangey Parindey, the Bollywood tapori makes a clean break from his usual moorings. Well, his lingo still reeks of the street, his wadi buddies answer to names like Chuddi, Gulkand and Diesel and, like all good aamchi Mumbai mulgas, they have a customary go at the dahi handi.
But this is a YRF film, so the gang here isn’t of the grubby, crude, foul-mouthed variety. These boys mimic their upper-class counterparts: the Barista crowd of numerous Bollywood flicks.