Lagey Raho MunnaBhai is a movie that will make a perfect case study for the marketing folks all around. An ordinary story is told so well and with so much for everyone in the family that it is bound to hit the right chords. If LRM doesn’t turn out to be a big grosser, I will quit writing reviews on MS.
I am confident of writing my next review on Munich very soon :)
Lage Raho Munnabhai ()
Language: Hindi
Genre: Comic Drama
Released: 1st Sep 2006
Approx Running Length: 2hrs. 35 mins
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Starring: Sanjay Dutt aka Sanju Baba, Arshad ’circuit’ Warsi, Boman Irani, Vidya Balan
( Exceptional, Brilliant, Good, Average, * Avoidable)
LRM is as good a family entertainer as you can get given the taste of today’s audience. What LRM does well is to wind up on a very good note. As they say, all’s well that ends well. I think there were many dull moments in first half but then second half just pulled it off.
It may not be as much of a laugh riot as Munnabhai MBBS was but it has its own merits.
In short: Do what your entire neighbourhood is doing, make a beeline to the cinema halls. LRM is here to rock the scene.
For a change, let us begin with bad things about the movie - The letdowns:
1. The music is not good. I don’t know why there could have been a temptation to take Moitra in place of Anu Malik who did such a good job in the first movie of the Munnabhai-circuit series. One probable reason could be that the director (and the producer) do not have a keen ear for good music. As we know, Subhash Ghai, Mani Ratnam, Bhatt clan and some others always have good music even if there movies are Recycle-bin compatible(TM)
First half is a little boring thanks primarily to bad music. There will be some people who will remember this and will be biased during the second half too. Those people will not like the popular opinion and my review as well.
Worldspace and the turning-on of radio is a bit too simplistic. By the way, Worldspace radio (the satellite radio) is yet not available for cars in India. You got to have a fixed Yagi antenna facing a particular direction to get uniinterrupted broadcast. Simplistic is not bad but then how far would you go to advertise a product!
Circuit should have been given more screen time by cutting (scrapping/throwing away) a couple of songs in first half especially the Goa song. It is too long and too boring in my opinion. There must be many who liked/will like it.
Now, brace yourself for the plus point - The Highlights:
1. Almost clean entertainer for the entire family. Given the middle-class sensibilities of the contemporary India, this is going to be a family entertainer for most people (as most people believe they are part of middle-class brigade). This movie should appeal (in parts) to both classes and masses. Full marks to the director for making a movie that has something for every bench, every seat, every corner of the auditorium. A true family entertainer of the current days.
A near perfect characterization of Gandhigiri-affected Munnabhai. His character is consistent throughout the movie and the screenplay is spot on this time. Bhaigiri ka ulta Gandhigiri! Wow! I think people will enjoy this concept.
Sanjay Dutt (sadly, the most under-rated star of Hindi cinema) has given a stupendous performance that borders on the thin line of perfection as far as acting nuances are concerned. He is a true professional and he has worked hard for this movie. You cannot say while watching this movie and his character that this man has gone through so much in life. What an actor! Amazing timing, brilliant dialogue delivery, emphatic screen presence, a range of perfected expressions, learned and measured histrionics and a totally natural act. Bravo!
Selling. They must have received a lot from Worldspace. There is nothing wrong in making money. The producer has made money even before releasing the film. Well, his brilliance at selling doesn’t end there. He knows what will sell. Let me list down some of the threads/components of this story that will touch hearts of various segments of audience:
a) There is the magic of Munnabhai and circuit. Circuit instantly recognizing 2nd October as Dry- day is hilarious and reminds you of Munnabhai MBBS.[So, you get the people with euphoria glued to your story]
b) The plight of old parents and then their desires (of flying, of doing something great, of loving someone) before they die. [You get older men hooked too]
c) The hanging up-side down of a man while talking on phone, a lot many similar scenes that make you laugh for a few seconds in a split second. [Everyone entertained]
d) Love track where one pretends to be somebody else just to get the love and the hardships that follow. [Young lovers identify with it]
e) Munnabhai saying Sorry to Circuit. Wonderful metaphor and an absolutely brilliant idea to show on screen. All of us have known circuit to be ever-loyal and never-demanding any respect. The way Munnabhai says sorry is what makes the scene worth it. [Front benchers more sentimental and the rest amazed at the execution of the scene]
f) A son facing his father after ruining a fortune on shares will appeal to larger section of society who have not much money but value it a lot. Someone (read a local side-kick politician or say a person who has nothing but ego to live for) bullying you and you replying to him in a unique way to ultimately get him to realize his mistake. [Everyone invited to the show]
g) Girls in swim costumes on the beach. Close-up for a few seconds and then up goes the camera. Enough for the front benchers and gang of college-goers to whistle. There are many such subtle scenes to enable whistling. This is a very important part of selling a movie. Most directors overdo it, Rajkumar knows how much is just right. [Whistlemakers given their due]
h) Gandhigiri as a philosophy may not catch up as much as "jaadu ki jhappi" but then I like the way Munnabhai responds when hit on both cheeks. I felt that there was too much of Gandhiji at one point but then towards the end I guess the impact was made and that is what matters. Coming back to the original point of Gandhigiri not being as big a hit as jhappi because it is difficult to practice but then it is easy to clap when it is shown on big screen. It is easy to appreciate and hence, this movie too has its ’jaadu ki jhappi’ [The great Indian subdued morals entertained]
.... continued in comments section. Please rate before you move to comments section.