Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?
U/A; COMEDY
Dir: Ashwni Dhir
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Konkana Sen Sharma, and Paresh Rawal
**1/2

What's it about: In an era of the so-called 'multiplex cinema' and movies catering to niche audiences, we've all but forgotten the quintessential 'family film' that dominated the '70s and '80s. Ashwni Dhir reinvents the genre with Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? and brings back memories of the Basu Chatterji and Hrishikesh Mukherjee school of filmmaking. Based on a short story by Sharad Joshi, the film explores a quandary we've all experienced at some point or the other -- a house guest who overstays his or her welcome. Puneet (Ajay Devgn) is a scriptwriter married to Munmun (Konkana Sen Sharma). They have a six-year-old son and live a comfortable middle-class existence in Mumbai. Trouble begins when Puneet's distant relative Lambodhar Chacha (Paresh Rawal) lands up at their doorstep and their entire lifestyle goes in for a toss. They put up with the guest-from-hell initially, thinking he would leave soon. But he refuses to and his antics cause major chaos in their personal and professional lives. Fed up, they start devising plans to get rid of the atithi (guest) but all fails.u00a0
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What's hot: To make an entire film out of a short story is a tough job. Maybe that's why Dhir also takes some inspiration from the Hollywood film, You, Me and Dupree (2006). The writing is simple and the dilemmas faced by Puneet and Munmun are common -- that's why the film connects with you. Dhir adds a mature touch when it comes to sketching the atithi's character -- he makes Lambodhar Chacha likeable even though his actions lead to irreparable damage. Puneet and Munmun's problems are real but despite their total condemnation of the guest, the director maintains the pathos in their characters. And that is what stops the film from venturing into the 'dark comedy' territory. ATKJ is wholesome family entertainment -- the kind you don't get to see these days. In the second half, the Ganesh Chaturthi sequence is a brilliant stroke that elevates the film. What make the film work are the three key actors. Ajay Devgn is at his candid best -- his scenes with the unwanted guest are hilarious and yet understated. He adds just the right amount of emotions in the intense scenes too. Konkona Sen complements him splendidly. Paresh Rawal as the atithi is so convincing that you almost want to get into the screen and toss him out of the nice couple's house. Look out for him in the bhajan sequence done on the track of Beedi (from Omkara) -- it's super funny.u00a0
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What's not: The director could've been more innovative in his screenplay in the second half. There are scenes that fall into the trap of predictability -- Dhir could've done away with those. Also, the burping and farting jokes get offensive after a point.u00a0u00a0u00a0
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What to do: It's the kind of film you can enjoy with your family. It's all about loving the family, after all.