Attempting a genre that has been rarely depicted on Indian screen before is a step in the right direction. And if the subject happens to be 'time travel', it generates tremendous curiosity.



FUN2SHH, directed by Imtiaz Punjabi, tries hard to be different, but unfortunately the writers seem to have relied too heavily on clich?s to carry the story forward ? and that is its biggest drawback. An apt case of good intentions gone wrong!



FUN2SHH is about three dudes, Ajju [Anuj Sawhney], Vicky [Iqbal Khan] and Johny [Paresh Rawal] and their adventures that span over about ten centuries.



When the trio are wrongly accused by their employer Bhaleram [Kader Khan] of stealing a 10th century king's precious crown from an exhibition, the dudes literally hit a wall... that magically transports them to the 10th century.



Thus begins a roller coaster of adventures in the ancient kingdom of the king [Gulshan Grover].



Amidst fearsome soldiers and dangerous chases, the trio find shelter in the house of a lady magician who is the pre-incarnate of their 21st century landlady [Farida Jalal].



Meanwhile, Ajju and Vicky fall in love with the princesses [Netanya Singh and Raima Sen] and they finally elope with them back to the 21st century along with the authentic 10th century crown stolen.



But all is not well yet, what with the king landing in the 21st century in hot pursuit of the dudes, to get his daughters and his crown back.



Inspired by the HARRY POTTER films and also LOK PARLOK [1979; Jeetendra, Jaya Pradha], FUN2SHH could've been one wacky entertainer. Alas! What could've been a roller coaster ride with several riveting moments turns out to be such a hotchpotch. The fault clearly lies in its screenplay. Though slapdash by nature [it goes well with the genre], the film starts off pretty well. The first few reels are ordinary, but the story does turn interesting as the three friends [Paresh Rawal, Anuj, Iqbal] accidentally land up in the 10th century.



Once there, some of their escapades are truly hilarious and a few individualistic sequences are definitely well executed. The fight in the arena or the sequence when Anuj and Iqbal are to be beheaded comes to your mind instantaneously. In fact, the first half, though slightly slow-paced, does manage to keep the viewer glued to the screen.



But the film slips in the post-interval portions. The actual mission ? of returning to the 21st century ? takes a complete backseat, while the focus shifts to the boys romancing the princesses.



Even the romance lacks a firm ground and looks too sudden to be true. The songs ? the romantic duet and the title track ['Hum Hain Funtoosh', soon after the swayamvar] ? also look completely forced in the narrative.



The second half has some more shortcomings in terms of scripting. The Kader Khan track, which keeps coming up at regular intervals, is grossly irritating. Besides, the idea to show a double role of not just Gulshan Grover, but also Raima Sen, Netanya Singh, Kader Khan, Farida Jalal and Rushali [opposite Paresh Rawal] looks gimmicky.



Writers Praveen Raj and Rajesh Khatter should've incorporated more adventurous incidents in the screenplay. Although the story is genuinely refreshing and the producers have spent a packet to recreate the 10th century, the writers seem to have run out of ideas midway through the film. The climax, which should've been a strongpoint, is least convincing, with the prolonged fight taxing the viewer further.



Director Imtiaz Punjabi has shot the film stylishly, but how one wishes he would've concentrated less on making each frame look alluring and more on substance. While he shows promise in a few deftly-executed sequences, let's not forget that the best of names don't rise beyond a point if burdened with a weak screenplay.



Pritam's music is functional. 'Dhuan Dhuan' is the pick of the lot in terms of orchestration, rendition and picturisation. Dialogues [Praveen Raj, Rajesh Khatter] are well penned, mainly those delivered by Paresh Rawal. Cinematography [Faroukh Mistry] is inconsistent ? at times perfect, at times dark. Some of the special effects are well executed.



Talking of performances, the film belongs to Paresh Rawal. But the actor is not in complete form as he was in HERA PHERI or AWARA PAAGAL DEEWANA. Perhaps, the role this time around is not author-backed, nor does the script give him optimum scope to have an encore.



Anuj Sawhney is alright, but needs to work hard in sequences that demand dramatics. Iqbal Khan makes a confident debut. He has a good voice, but needs to polish his acting skills, mainly in sequences that are aimed at the hoi polloi.



Both Raima Sen and Netanya Singh don't get scope to display histrionics. Gulshan Grover does his part[s] with ?lan. Kader Khan goes overboard. Farida Jalal is fair. Narendra Jha [Senapati] is competent. Ashish Vidyarthi does not impress. Paintal is okay.



On the whole, FUN2SHH has an interesting first half, but an uninspiring second half takes away the sheen from the enterprise. The film has some curiosity value, but the content [script] does not match the expectations one has from a subject like this. At the box-office, in the wake of a tough opposition this week [MUNNABHAI M.B.B.S. ? which is also a light entertainer!] and next week [L.O.C.], the prospects of FUN2SHH appear limited. ... More ... Collapse

Of late, churning out comedy films seems the way to go. However most often comedy in bollywood constitutes of a couple of actors thrown in, mindless nonsensical matter and loud over the top scenes, slapstick comedy and jokes with a sexual undercurrent. In spite of all this, the comedies were appreciated to a large extent in films like No Entry, Masti, Kya Kool Hai Hum etc. Also a lot of these comedies borrow parts from successful Hollywood films. However not every comedy film can manage to get audiences funny bone tickled.



Tom, Dick and Harry directed by Deepak Tijori is a comedy that involves poking fun at a section of society who is physically disabled. Not many may find this very idea funny. Add to this a concept which is partly borrowed from Hollywood, a couple of sexist jokes about gays, women and making fun of prominent personalities in society. The film is about the lives of three physically handicapped people, Dino Morea (Tom) who is deaf, Anuj Sawhney (Dick) who is blind and Jimmy Shergill (Harry) who is dumb. The film also stars Celina Jaitley, Kim Sharma, Gulshan Grover and Shakti Kapoor.



The story revolves around three physically impaired guys, Tom, Dick and Harry who live together as paying guests. The deaf Tom and the mute Harry try to make a living out of selling condoms, a third blind guy Dick joins the guys and keeps flirting with transvestites. Meanwhile a beautiful undercover cop, Celina comes to live in a bungalow opposite the guys. The three physically impaired guys are besotted with Celina, but she seems least interested in them. Each one of them tries to impress her in their own weird way. Then there?s Kim Sharma, the machiwali (fisherwoman) who is besotted with Tom and will do anything to get him. She keeps jangling her bosom in front of anyone and that?s the butt of a few jokes.



Then there?s the ripped of wannabe villain who is completely borrowed from Austin Powers Dr Evil, he is Suprano (Gulshan Grover). He makes crude jibes at filmmaker Ramgopal Varma. The bald villain is basically into the flesh trade and supplies girls internationally. Tom, Dick and Harry unknowingly and unwittingly get into the path of this evil man. They seem to foil up all his plans and finally Suprano decides its time to teach the three physically impaired heroes a good lesson.



Tom, Dick and Harry is an outright disaster which has crude jokes and a crass sense of humour. The script is the feeblest part of the film and the screenplay too is handled badly. The story and plot is too immature and the element of humour is not handled well in the film. Humour is substituted with taking potshots at well known people and various sections of society. The humour also gets overtly uncomfortable at times as it borders on vulgar and cheesy. The use of parodies is done in a tasteless manner.



Some of the jokes manage to elicit a meager response at times, but that too is quite infrequently. The music by Himesh Reshammiya is very good and is just about the only appealing thing in the film. However the songs too don?t have a logical placement and are just randomly fitted into the script. Cinematography is nothing to rave about and is just mediocre. A lot of the scenes seem patched together without a thought for flow and continuity. Dialogues are interspersed with double meanings and are bawdy most often. Dino Morea gives an unconvincing performance in spite of all the effort, Jimmy Shergill's comedy timing is not up to the mark and Anuj Sawhney seems to be the best out of the lot. His performance in this mundane script seems fine. Celina Jaitley is pretty but her acting is poor. Kim Sharma manages to perform okay in her mediocre role. Gulshan Grover performs his weird don act, but is below his usual benchmark in this one and the rest of the cast are merely used as fillers.



Tom, Dick and Harry scores weakly in the script, screenplay as well as the acting. Deepak Tijori's attempt at a time pass comedy has fallen flat and he seems to have botched up the entire film. If a senseless story and poor jokes appease you in the name of comedy, then try at your own risk. At the box-office, a film that will in all probability score poorly. ... More ... Collapse

The word Tathastu sounds interesting, it is a Sanskrit word which signifies the affirmative response of deities to their disciple's wishes. The tag line of the film reads as 'So Be it'. The film has an extremely relevant social message in society. The film no doubt is inspired from a Hollywood flick, but nonetheless has been adapted to suit the taste of Indian audiences. The story and concept is good, but it is definitely the director's execution and approach to the subject that ultimately makes most of the difference.





Tathastu is one man's fight against a system that is infested with corruption and greed. This man is thrown into a tragic circumstance wherein he has no choice but to put up a fight against the unjust system. Tathastu is the story of Ravi Rajput (Sanjay Dutt) and it also stars Amisha Patel, Jaya Pradha and Manoj Pahwa. The film is directed by Anubhav Sinha





Ravi is a simple automobile engineer who works hard in a factory and his life revolves around his wife Sarita (Amisha) and his 8 year old son, Gaurav. One day while playing cricket, his son collapses, he is immediately rushed to the hospital. On examining and testing the little boy, doctors realize that he suffers from a hole in his heart. Doctors suggest a heart transplant as necessary to save young Gaurav. The transplant will cost around 15 lakhs. Ravi who earns a modest income, goes for help to every possible person, his employers, loan sharks, and several other people. But to no avail, he is refused such a huge amount as he has no tangible security.





Ravi is a desperate father who tries to find a legal way to save his son, but when he runs out of options, he is forced by a cruel system into adopting an illegal measure. With the sole thought of saving his son's life and without thinking of the consequences, he takes the emergency room patients as hostages. There are about thirty people in the emergency room, some of whom themselves require immediate medical attention and Ravi single handedly with just a single revolver holds them hostages. He has one and only one condition for releasing them, he wants the surgery to be performed on his son immediately and free of cost. The police and hospital authorities try to talk him out of it, but Ravi is determined to save his son. The story is being covered by the media and the entire issue becomes a national debate. A lot of people lend their support to this desperate father, his wife, one of the doctors Jaya Pradha and even a cop. Juxtaposed into this social drama is the exposure of a dirty game, called politics. Politics is used to rope in another angle into this film.





The story has a very empathetic quality, but unfortunately the script and execution of the film has not managed to capture the sensitivity of audiences. The film intends to convey a noble message that our system needs to be re-evaluated and changed so that the common man can benefit from it. The aspect where Sanjay Dutt single handedly takes on the emergency room patients as hostages has an unrealistic approach to it. The writing of the screenplay lacks the quality of finesse and believability. The script is wrought with over the top melodrama.





However what manages to make a mark is Sanjay Dutt's portrayal of the character Ravi. He grapples with the inner dilemma of being a father stuck in a no win situation and being a part of an unjust system with exception. The political aspect in the narrative seems forced and unnecessary. The execution at times drags on unrealistically. There is no room for brilliant cinematography or music in the film as a major part of the film is set in the emergency room and there is a lone 'qawalli' which is just average. Unfortunately, director Anubhav has taken scene for scene from a Hollywood flick, not even bothered to change a single incident. There is no problem in adapting a film, but every director should bring in his own flavour to the film. To have the exact same scenes merely portrays lack of creativity on the director?s part.





The film could have delved deeper into the aspect of an unfair system, but instead merely touches the surface of the topic, leaving the audiences feeling cheated. Sanjay Dutt is extremely convincing in his role and breathes life into the otherwise dull and lifeless script. Amisha Patel?s role of an average housewife is hardly captivating and does not really make a mark. The patients are not given enough scope in their roles and yesteryear actress Jaya Pradha does not have a meaningful role.





The film has an honest and sincere message and concept, but the script and the execution have not managed to enhance the concept further. No matter how sincere a concept, it is the screenplay which has to carry forth the film. Anubhav Sinha does not manage to capture the audience?s attention with this film. At the box-office the subtlety with which the film has been promoted and made, will hardly create a dent. ... More ... Collapse

Bhoot Unkle is an attempt at entertainment for kids. A kiddie?s flick this one tries to incorporate a bit of the hit children?s film Makdee as well as bits and pieces from various Hollywood films. Alas the end result is just a mishmash of various sequences thrown in together. Bhoot Unkle is supposed to be a horror adventurous film with a bit of magic and a bit of animation thrown in for good measure. It revolves around the plight of a young boy who happens to meet with a friendly ghost who has been trapped for years due to his own evil acts. The friendly ghost decides to help the boy who in turn helps him too. Unfortunately the script is average but it is the screenplay and execution of the material that is substandard and lacks finesse. The film turns out be a potboiler of various haphazard sequences which neither entertains nor manages to capture the young audience?s attention.



The film has been produced by Aneesh Arjun and Krishan Chowdhury and directed by Mukesh Sehgul. Jackie Shroff plays the role of the friendly ghost and Dev Kantawala enacts the role of the boy who helps the friendly ghost, Shyam. The music has been done by Baba Sehgal.



Shyam is a nice young lad with only a few friends like Tingu (KK), Shunti (Mandaar) and Geeta (Sheena) for company. He lives with his aunt and uncle in a small village. Unfortunately he is constantly subjected to his aunt?s cruel taunts and acts. To make matters worse Shyam is constantly at loggerheads with the local MLA?s son SK (Jay Kanani). One day Shyam stumbles into a desolated haunted Light House after getting away from the cruel MLA?s goons. Here Shyam chances upon an idol of Lord Shiva and thus also meets the friendly old ghost who has been trapped here for the last hundred years ever since he attempted to steal the holy Lord Shiva idol.



It turns out that the ghost was a pirate, who is now paying for stealing the idol, but the friendly ghost decides to help poor Shyam and in turn Shyam too decides to help the friendly ghost. Shyam also has to save the idol from the clutches of the evil MLA and restore it to its original place at the temple.



Unfortunately the script of Bhoot Unkle lacks the punch and drive to keep children entertained as it is filled with predictable twists and turns. There is nothing novel in the experience neither do any of the characters manage to infuse much life into the insipid film. Another aspect that further takes the film lower is the screenplay and the execution of the film. The screenplay by Rajiv and Veeru does not manage to sustain the interest of the viewer at all, there is a lack of thrilling moments in the film, the adventure quotient is extremely low and even the animation which is just for a few minutes is not first rate.



There are just a handful of interesting moments in the first half which manage to entertain but then again the track of the film is diverted and it goes haywire in the second half. The climax is average. The cinematography by Vignesh Rao is not at all up to the mark especially since kids take a lot of delight in the visual effects, this was a sore downer. Director Mukesh is saddled with a poor script and his execution too is dowdy. The song by Baba Sehgal too is another sore point and does nothing for the film.



Jackie Shroff looks old and haggard in the film, even his styling though of a pirate leaves a lot to be desired. As for his performance nothing really stands out and he does not manage to create that affinity as the friendly lovable ghost amongst kids. Dev does manage to deliver a likeable performance, the other kids are fairly average and as for the other characters they don?t really make too much of an impression.



Bhoot Unkle lacks an interesting script, has a substandard screenplay and the performances are just okay. With so many other animation and superhero films in cinemas, Bhoot Unkle will not have much of a response at the box-office. A total disappointment for kids. ... More ... Collapse