Movie Review: Dedh Ishqiya (Hindi)
It's been just 10 days into the year 2014, and if this week's release Dedh Ishqiya is any indication, Bollywood is off to a flying start! Abshishek Chaubey's sophomore effort, the sequel to the much acclaimed 2010 hit Ishqiya starring Naseeruddin Shah, Vidya Balan and Arshad Warsi, promises 1.5 times more fun, entertainment and love. Does it deliver? Let's go find out!
The lovable con men, the uncle and the nephew, are out again for another adventure, trying their luck in a new town, but much like the first movie, nothing is what it seems to be. Set in the rural heartlands of Uttar Pradesh, Dedh Ishqiya is all about a stolen necklace, a rich widow and her close confidant, and the love(lust)-struck Khalu and Babban.
Begum Para (Madhuri Dixit-Nene), abiding by her dead husband's wishes, organizes a shayari competition in an attempt to find the best suitor, and Khalu (Naseeruddin Shah) wants to be that man no matter what. Pretending to be a Nawab of Chandpur, Khalu manages to gain the Begum's attention much to the displeasure of local MLA Jaan Mohammad (Vijay Raaz), who wants to win the lady and the respect that comes along with being a Nawab. Begum's first mate Muniya (Huma Qureshi), meanwhile, has her own plans up her sleeves, and Babban (Arshad Warsi), overcome with lust, falls prey to her schemes.
If Ishqiya was more raw, edgy and surprised the moviegoers with unpredictable twists and turns, Dedh Ishqiya revels in its grandeur and old-world romance. The mood is terrific, the dialogues are razor-sharp and witty (it would have been a little difficult to follow if not for the English subtitles!) and Setu's outstanding cinematography brings alive the bygone days of royalty in its full glory.
Shah and Warsi as the bad guys with a good heart are in great form, though the same cannot be said of Madhuri Dixit and Huma Qureshi. That they share a close intimate (sexual?) relationship aside, neither bring in what it needs for a film like this. Madhuri is still the ever graceful breathtaking beauty and a dancer non pareil, and Huma, though comparatively better, doesn't come across as devious and sly as Krishna (played by the super terrific Vidya Balan). Vijay Raaz however is a scene stealer; here's hoping to see him in more movies. All said, Dedh Ishqiya is a well-made entertaining comedy noir that doesn't quite match the expectations it set for itself, but I would still be interested in knowing where Khalu and Babban might be heading next!
Begum Para (Madhuri Dixit-Nene), abiding by her dead husband's wishes, organizes a shayari competition in an attempt to find the best suitor, and Khalu (Naseeruddin Shah) wants to be that man no matter what. Pretending to be a Nawab of Chandpur, Khalu manages to gain the Begum's attention much to the displeasure of local MLA Jaan Mohammad (Vijay Raaz), who wants to win the lady and the respect that comes along with being a Nawab. Begum's first mate Muniya (Huma Qureshi), meanwhile, has her own plans up her sleeves, and Babban (Arshad Warsi), overcome with lust, falls prey to her schemes.
If Ishqiya was more raw, edgy and surprised the moviegoers with unpredictable twists and turns, Dedh Ishqiya revels in its grandeur and old-world romance. The mood is terrific, the dialogues are razor-sharp and witty (it would have been a little difficult to follow if not for the English subtitles!) and Setu's outstanding cinematography brings alive the bygone days of royalty in its full glory.
Shah and Warsi as the bad guys with a good heart are in great form, though the same cannot be said of Madhuri Dixit and Huma Qureshi. That they share a close intimate (sexual?) relationship aside, neither bring in what it needs for a film like this. Madhuri is still the ever graceful breathtaking beauty and a dancer non pareil, and Huma, though comparatively better, doesn't come across as devious and sly as Krishna (played by the super terrific Vidya Balan). Vijay Raaz however is a scene stealer; here's hoping to see him in more movies. All said, Dedh Ishqiya is a well-made entertaining comedy noir that doesn't quite match the expectations it set for itself, but I would still be interested in knowing where Khalu and Babban might be heading next!
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