Old dulhan in new clothes

Nothing No. 1' about this film. Why would you want to watch a movie where the only good scenes are straight out of Chori Chori or It Happ...

Nothing No. 1′ about this film. Why would you want to watch a movie where the only good scenes are straight out of Chori Chori or It Happened One Night? David Dhawan has relaxed his grip on the script and music of Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge. As a result, audiences who appreciated his previous comedies are likely to emerge disappointed.

Karisma Kapoor is unconvincing as a young girl who’s been reared under the watchful eye of three eccentric uncles. Paresh Rawal, Om Puri and Anupam Kher try their best to instill in their orphan niece a love for physical fitness, religion and style. Each works at cross purposes, and consequently, years of indoctrination come to nought. Neither can the girl lead a disciplined lifestyle nor is she able to defend herself. By the way, her silly scream that spans continents is supposed to be funny.

Salman Khan befriends Karisma on an adventurous tour of Switzerland and Austria when she chooses to escape the stifling atmosphere at home. His courtship tactics involve a pretended jewellery heist and an engineered molestation. After this, his repeated references to how good Hindustanis should behave seem rather hypocritical.

Himesh Reshammiya’s idea of a good song is Raat ko aoonga main. The music of the film fails, although strangely, it is here that the novelty lies. This is the first time Suresh Wadkar has sung a bhajan in comic style, and Om Puri has danced the bhangra.

Farida Jalal and Kadar Khan have little to do but play perfectly supportive parents to Salman, and Dara Singh puts in a guest appearance as the final arbitrator.

But Johnny Lever seems the best bet to salvage at least parts of the movie. He can rap, dance, act. He’s an ace at imitating Michael Jackson! He has a scene with badman Deepak Tijori where he resorts to heartwarming emotional blackmail! He slaps the villain, reprimanding him for his lack of nationalistic feelings in a foreign country, and then looks like he expected thanks from Deepak Tijori! The comedian’s episodes as restaurant steward and mock wrestler are also interesting. If they show you these bits on the television promos, you’ve got no reason to visit the cinema hall.

— Bella Jaisinghani