Call it fun, crazy or time-pass ufffd there are times when you pine for films that don't tax the mind; the kind of films that defined the Manmohan Desai Prakash Mehra era.
Housefull
U/A; comedy
Dir: Sajid Khan
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta, Arjun Rampal, Jiah Khan, And Boman Irani
***
WHAT'S IT ABOUT: Call it fun, crazy or time-pass ufffd there are times when you pine for films that don't tax the mind; the kind of films that defined the Manmohan Desai-Prakash Mehra era.
u00a0
You don't look for logic in these entertainers because they deliver exactly what they promise ufffd big stars, lavish canvas, slick look-and-feel, foot-tapping songs and dollops of laughter. 
Sajid Khan's Housefull lives up to its expectations on that front ufffd it's quite easily the season's biggest riot despite its inconsistencies. At the end of the film, you walk out with a smile ufffd that's its biggest triumph.
u00a0
Housefull tells the story of Aarush (Akshay Kumar) who considers himself a loser thanks to his twisted fate. After his girlfriend dumps him on that account, Aarush lands up in London to be with his friend Bob (Riteish Deshmukh) for moral support.
Bob and his wife Hetal (Lara Dutta) help Aarush find a traditional Indian girl Devika (Jiah Khan) who's the daughter of a rich Indian businessman (Randhir Kapoor). Aarush and Jiah get married and looks like the guy's fortunes are in for a change.
But once again, fate has other plans and that's when Sandy (Deepika Padukone) enters the scene.
But just when things start looking up for Aarush, complications come pouring in the form of Sandy's brother Major Krishna Rao (Arjun Rampal) and Hetal's father Batuk Patel (Boman Irani).
u00a0
From then on, it is confusion galore with mistaken identities, suspecting families, lying partners and much more.u00a0
WHAT'S HOT: To Sajid's credit, it must be said that he's not attempting a full-blown comedy ufffd he ensures the emotional quotient is present too. He managesu00a0 to have loads of 'high points' in the film, which is the core of an entertainer of this kind.
The film begins on a slow note and then picks up pace. This time around, Sajid scores when it comes to establishing each of his character's individualities. He weaves these characteristics superbly in the screenplay, which is racy and irreverent.
There's no shortage of laughter in this one ufffd Riteish's 'lingerie' scene sets the mood followed by Aakhri Pasta (Chunky Pandey) who brings the house down.
The Akshay-Riteish chemistry is brilliant ufffd watch them in the scene where they are electrocuted or when they're trying to steal a mobile. The second half is quite a cracker filled with hilarious sequences.
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala doesn't compromise on any level ufffd he succeeds in giving it a spectacular feel. What adds to the film's flavour is the musical score by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy ufffd their best in recent times.
Sajid also succeeds in getting all his actors to shed their inhibitions. Chunky Pandey as the Pasta Man is a scene-stealer. Deepika Padukone hasn't looked more glamorous ever before.
Lara Dutta is good in the funny scenes. Jiah Khan is the sexiest of the lot. Boman Irani is in top form (don't miss his Sholay dialogues in Gujarati). Arjun Rampal gets rock star treatment and he delights.
Riteish Deshmukh has an almost parallel role to Akshay and he totally delivers. Housefull belongs to Akshay Kumar and he delivers one of his most controlled performances ever. He's retrained when he's needed to be and totally boisterous when the scene demands it. His act in the suhaagraat song with Jiah is a highlight. Watch him also in the dramatic lie detector sequence with Arjun ufffd Housefull is Akshay's showcase all the way.u00a0
ADVERTISEMENT
WHAT'S NOT: One only wishes the script was just as consistent as the screenplay. As said earlier, you don't go looking for logic in such films but some ends are left loose. Jiah's sudden disappearance from the proceedings is a mystery.
u00a0
There's a bit of Hollywood influence too ufffd the tiger sequence is inspired by The Hangover and the suspecting brother is almost out of The In-Laws. The Akshay-Riteish 'gay' angle reminds you of Kal Ho Naa Ho (it even has a similar background track).
u00a0
Be prepared for some slapstick too ufffd Akshay's scene with the vacuum cleaner, the monkey and the slap-fest between Akshay, Riteish and Boman being the highlights. The climax is simply too over-the-top. And Lilette Dubey is typecast.u00a0
WHAT'S THAT: Housefull is paisa vasool fare. Laugh out loud this holiday season.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
