With so many films getting churned week after week, it’s necessary to come up with a flick that is unusual and well-treated so as to stand out from the rest. Phas Gaye Re Obama, thus, comes at a right time with a plotline that is so novel that you can’t help but get curious. The big bad recession that hit the world last year had financially crippled the biggest of companies and businessmen. But the same meltdown affecting goondas in a faraway North Indian town…isn’t that a terrific idea? Phas Gaye Re Obama thrives on such a plotline and fortunately, director Subhash Kapoor treats it right and in the end what we get is a film that is smart, sassy and total paisa vasool!
The story of the movie: 2008 USA. On one hand, Barack Obama is elected as the next US President and on the other hand, lakhs of Americans are struggling with the sudden meltdown. One such person is the Indian-born Om Shastri (Rajat Kapoor) who overnight becomes a pauper. He has taken a huge loan against his house and has to repay the entire $100000 in 30 days or else he’ll be on the streets. Om thus decides to fly to India and sell his ancestral property. In his village, a small-time kidnapping gang of Bhaisaab (Sanjay Mishra) is struggling with recession. Assuming that Om is a millionaire, they kidnap him only to find out that their plan has backfired. Om doesn’t have much time left to get back to US and at such a point, he gets abducted. To find out what happens next, watch the film.
Phas Gaye Re Obama is essentially a comedy but is dealt as if it’s a serious fare. In fact the execution reminds of Vishal Bhardwaj cinema (Omkara, Ishqiya). But Subhash Kapoor knew his job well and manages to keep the interest alive till the end. The film’s pace is slow but steady…it doesn’t rush things and also doesn’t painfully drag. This is one of the significant strengths of Phas Gaye Re Obama!
The initial 10 minutes were alright. The film gets better as soon as Om lands up in his village. The entire kidnap sequence in Bhaisaab’s house was brilliant, esp the scene where he learns about Om’s bankruptcy. The intermission comes at a right time when an interesting character Munni Madam aka Man-hater/Female Gabbar Singh (Neha Dhupia) enters the narrative. This reminds me…every important character in the film is wittily sketched and characterized be it, Om, Bhaisaab, Munni, Anni (Manu Rishi) or Minister Dhananjay Singh (Amol Gupte).
The last 15 minutes was very exciting. In fact, the climax was much unexpected and comes as a pleasant surprise and also a neat culmination to such kind of a film. In order to justify the title of the film, the director has referred to the US President at many places and even gave a vulgar interpretation to his famed dialogue “Yes We Can”!
With such an ensemble cast, it’s difficult to decide who was better than the other. In my view, everyone does equally well. Rajat Kapoor was perfect for this role as he looks every inch a NRI. Always a pleasure to see him on screen! Manu Rishi leaves a huge impact as he’s there for most part of the film. Watch out for him when his hand gets injured and when he’s getting gang raped! Sanjay Mishra was very funny and underplays his part well. You could actually feel the pain of this ‘recession-hit’ goon! Amol Gupte (last seen in Kaminey as Bhope Bhau) was as usual terrific. Neha Dhupia comes up with an honest performance. This actress definitely deserves such meaty roles! Amit Sial (last seen in the final story of Love Sex Aur Dhokha) and the guy who played Alibhai were good.
Phas Gaye Re Obama is actually a songless film with only 1 song that comes in the end credits. Manish Tipu’s background score is very impressive as it’s quite subtle and smooth, not loud that is expected from a comedy. Arvind Kannabiran’s cinematography was topnotch especially the aerial shots (watch out the first scene of the film).
Subhash Kapoor deserves a pat for his great job as a writer and also director. Often the storyline is good but the film fails at execution level and also the other way round. Thankfully, Phas Gaye Re Obama boasts of a watertight script and also terrific direction. Giving a serious touch to such kind of a plot was a risk but it paid off!
Some of the best scenes:
The first shot
Om lands up at his ancestral house
Anni at the Tyagi English Coaching Class
Anni meets Om for the first time
Om gets kidnapped and finds out about his kidnappers
Kidnappers learn that Om is broke
Om and Anni are sold off to Alibhai
Om promises Anni to take him to US
Anni gets gang raped
The last 25 minutes
On the whole, Phas Gaye Re Obama is an extremely witty film that provides complete entertainment. The treatment and the plot both is hatke and the performances are exemplary. Watch it in theatres or on TV but don’t miss it! After LSD, Udaan, Tere Bin Laden and Peepli [Live], here’s another small film of 2010 that’s big in satisfaction!