Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi

Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi
Monday, December 26, 2005 12:49 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
by Subhash K Jha

Starring Sanjay Dutt, Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Sushasini Mulay
Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar
Rating: **

The best thing about watching this heartwarming journey back to innocence is Sanjay Dutt's dead-on (pun intended) take as Yama, the God of death.

'Deadly' Dutt's Yama is yummy. He's a baby at heart who breaks into sobs when faced with human sorrow and earthly misery. He rides a Chevrolet, polishes off a bottle of whiskey and gets intimidated by a little kids who assail and admonish him.

After Munnabhai MBBS(a film that Mahesh Manjrekar repeatedly harks back to) Vah Life Ho Ti Aisi further examines Dutt's funny-bone...and lets the unassuming star come up with a revealing and satisfying performance.

Sure, this isn't the greatest of films. But it does mark the return to form of the over-prolific and almost burnt-out director Mahesh Manjrekar.

There's a certain sparkle to Manjrekar's film about a bunch of kids –orphans,nephews and sundry children of a lesser god—or shall we say, 'laser' god?

Manjrekar's brings into play a whole lot of special effects. Not all of its is of the highest order. But the film has its heart in the right place almost to the end. Large portions of the narration are just an excuse to pitch the genial Dutt against his novice protégée Shahid Kapoor. But what the hell...er, heaven!

The two actors vibe really effecrively.

It's heartening to see Shahid hold his own against Dutt. He seems to have the right expression for every occasion. Quite a departmental store of emotions....like Sridevi once used to be.

The rest of the cast is remarkable only for the array of kids who are out for the joie-de-vivre ride. Though not as capable as a brood of charmers as the ones in Shekhar Kapoor's Mr India(a film to which this one pays a more than a passing homage ) the kids make a blasting impression.

The assortment of villains tell another story. Too bombastic to be cartoonish, they create an atmosphere of ongoing pandemonium without creating a suitable aura of parody.

But the film is reasonably endearing, and more engaging than Abbas-Mustan's Tarzan The Wonder Car , the most recent film which tried to recreate the arcadia of childhood in a villainous clasp. Manjrekar steers clear of vulgarity to evoke the child in the man.

Some of the dialogues, specially from Yama are deliciously funny. Both protagonists and the world that they inhabit are artless, wondrous and bereft of duplicity.

If only the villains let them be.
Devara - Part 1 Makes Waves at the Box Office with Rs. 77 Crore Opening Day Collection!

Devara: Part 1 made a remarkable entrance at the box office on its opening day, grossing Rs 77 crore across all languages, as reported by industry tracker Sacnilk. The action drama, directed by

Saturday, September 28, 2024
Taaza Khabar Season 2 Review - A Missed Opportunity for Freshness!

The highly anticipated Taaza Khabar Season 2 featuring Bhuvan Bam returns with his character Vasant Gawde, diving into the world of fresh news updates. Alongside Bam, the show

Friday, September 27, 2024
Yudhra Review - A Bumpy Ride Through Action and Chaos!

Ehsaan Loy composing the music, all the elements seem to point to a cinematic success. However, in 2024, audiences have become harder to impress, and despite these heavyweights, Yudhra fails

Saturday, September 21, 2024
Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam Review - A Predictable Ride with Familiar Tropes!

If you've been following Bollywood's latest offerings, the film "Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam" might give you a strong sense of d'j' vu. Progressive parents, a quirky relative, a cool

Saturday, September 21, 2024
The Buckingham Murders Review - Kareena Kapoor Shines Amidst the Chaos!

In The Buckingham Murders, director Hansal Mehta ventures into a story blending personal grief, simmering

Friday, September 13, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT