B'WOOD 'MR INDIA' MEETS H'WOOD 'GHOST'
By Eye TV India Bureau - Satyajit
Critic's I-view
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Sci-fi fantasy thriller finally knocks at the door of the tinsel town and the journey to fairy tales begins with this film. Spearheaded with brilliant and breathtaking special effects this fun-loving coaster ride is gift for child audiences after well conceived 'Hanuman'. Ironically, both these flicks are blessed with the fine rendition of "Hanuman Chalisa". Director Mahesh Manjrekar makes coolest and brightest makeover this time as he switches from serious cinema to fantasy world. Manjrekar collages the creative and narrative concepts of Hollywood and Bollywood fun-filled child entertainers. It brings back the memories of Shammi Kapoor's 'Brahamchari', Anil Kapoor's 'Mr India', Aamir Khan's 'Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke', Rajendra Kumar's 'Jhuk Ghaya Aasman' and Hollywood's 'Ghost' and 'Men in Black'.
It's a noble and innovative idea to coagulate the fantasies and the sugar-coated playful act in conceiving this child entertainer. The breathtaking special effects can be easily named the discovery of the film that promises joyride. The film looks like dream come true for those who have cherished films like 'Harry Potter' and 'Lords of the Rings'. Besides some regular melodrama the innovative idea of fixing mythological characters with the real ones deserves applause. The fun-filled red Chevrolet car ride in dreamy clouds magnifies the one hour special effects. The animated depiction of heaven and hell speaks for better future of graphics and multimedia in Bollywood. Simply superb! Producer Sangeeta Ahir wins adulation for being bold and experimental in plagiarizing this technically crafted drama. A child artiste can never be better in films than these despite the fact Baby Rucha Vaidya has won many hearts in 'Main Aisi Hi Hoon' and 'Ek Ajnabee'.
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The director's idea of pairing the hot "n" happening pair (Shaahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao) in this entertainer is another positive move. Manjrekar's on and off screen buddy Sanjay Dutt gets the meat of role as "Yamraj" (The God of Death), and he impresses too. It's comical and quizzical to visualize modern day "Yamraj". The presentation of "Yamraj" brings out the combination of designer wears and antique collector vehicle in a package of fantasy world. The hi-tech touch screen laptop on the "Yamraj" car is another fine show of mixing technology with fantasy. The funky voyage in the world of 'Vaah Life Ho Toh Aisi' demands heart and mind of a child. The viewer should not scrutinize as a hardcore critic who always criticizes film for poor script or uncanny end. It's a pioneering and comical imagination of life after death and the events thereafter. In 60's 'Jhuk Gaya Aasman' tried this and succeeded to woo audiences. The film has the usual family set up of orphaned kids, tiring grandmother, erratic brother, treacherous partner and adorable beloved.
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The story revolves around Aditya alias Adi Chachoo (Shaahid Kapoor) who runs an automobile garage in the prosperous town of Mumbai. The family of Aditya is big and it has nine naughty yet lovable kids. Adi Chachoo is Aditya's pet name and he is loved by his ailing grandmother (Suhasini Mulay). He has troublesome drunkard brother (Mohnish Behl) and sister-in-law (Ekta) living with him. These bunches of kids are under tutelage of lovable Piya (Amrita Rao), tuition teacher. Aditya and Piya are in love with each other and the whole family is aware of it. Aditya has marriageable sister who becomes the talk of the home. Life looks like heaven for them and they spend their life like firebirds. It was Aditya's home that becomes the target of greedy builder Hirachand (Sharat Saxena) and his cousin uncle (Prem Chopra). Aditya is flourishing with his new project but has treacherous partner to accompany him in the garage.
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To grab Aditya's house, builder Hirachand plans a wicked game and uses his cunning uncle and partner to help him. The marriage of the sister of Aditya is arranged but the bridegroom's family demands a huge dowry of Rs 50 million. Aditya arranges half of the amount and promises to pay the rest before the marriage. One day, Aditya meets with an accident and dies in operation theatre. The focus shifts from earth to heavenly clouds where a well dressed man drives himself into the operation theatre. This man is "God of Death - Yamraj" (Sanjay Dutt) and calls himself Yamraj M.A (Maut Ka Aayojak). Aditya is carried by Yamraj in his classic Chevrolet car with another deceased Shakti (Master Adil). Yamraj shows him hell and heaven and narrates about his duties. Initially, it looks like a dream but its true and he is assured of his death. Aditya pleads to Yamraj to send him back to his family to sort out crucial matters.
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Yamraj agrees but has two conditions - he cannot be heard or seen by anyone and second, he has a limit of just seven days to sort out matters. Aditya agrees and returns to earth along with Shakti as soul. They feel helpless since they can't communicate on earth. Luckily, they encounter Fakir BPCM (Arshad Warsi) who has supernatural power of seeing souls and talking to them. Fakir suggests that they should pray to Lord Hanuman for divine powers. The blessing of Lord Hanuman is showered with soulful rendition of divine "Hanuman Chalisa". Aditya is now geared up to settle his score and wins the battle for his family with dignity.
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The concept is conceived primarily for children and the writer has taken full liberty of transforming the real into the fantasy world. The comical timing of lead actors is a strong point that strengthens the film. Sanjay Dutt shows his comical skill as "Yamraj" and proves he has better things to offer in future. The sequences between him and Shaahid after interval are well conceived. Shaahid Kapoo's body language has corresponded well with Sanjay Dutt's act of "Yamraj". In the first half Shaahid has conventional part to play but in the second part, he has funny bone. Despite the fact some soundtracks retard the growth of the film, yet it lands you in the fantasy world. Amrita Rao looks graceful and justifies her act as lovable teacher. She draws adulation and viewers believe that she will move into a top slot.
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Arshad Warsi can be singled out as the finest among the rest of the cast. Arshad's brilliant comical timing is mind-blowing in his introductory scene. His "tapori" diction is getting better, crisper and witty in this film. The choreography of "Hanuman Chalisa" with Arshad, Shaahid and Master Adil is breath-taking. Besides "Teri Yaad" and "Hanuman Chalisa", no other song draws attention. Himesh Reshammiya's music sounds ordinary but heavy background score is effective. "Prime Focus" multimedia company should be awarded for conceiving sophisticated special effects that gel well with the script. Prem Chopra impresses in negative shades after a long time. Rajat Bedi, Sharat Saxena and Suhasini Mulay justify their acting well. Master Adil, Ishan (Shaahid's younger brother), Satya (Mahesh Manjrekar's son), Parth, Shweta and Tanvi are impressive in making the fantasy act possible.
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'Vaah Life Ho Toh Aisi' indicates that there is room for improvisation in the selection of subject, hi-tech special effects to conceive innovative cinema. The film draws similarity with many successful movies in the past. Mahesh Manjrekar's transformation from average filmmaker to thoughtful and whiz kid director deserves adulation. Thank God there are few who think of entertaining children since child fiction has not been conceived professionally in the Hindi film world. In nutshell it can be said Bollywood's 'Mr India' meets Hollywood's 'Ghost' and creates 'Chamatkar'. It's Bollywood's best possible entertainer for kids as gift for this X-mas.
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[Public Opinion]
