Funtoosh (1956) :
Brief Review -
This is the maddest Dev Anand could ever be! Chetan Anand's Funtoosh lacks high-quality filmmaking as the frames are dull and the screenplay is scattered. I couldn't even hear a few dialogues properly. So either it is about the quality of the print or the film was actually like that. Nevertheless, there are some fun facts attached to it that you can't dislike. Dev Anand plays a mental patient in the first scene, and you are entitled to get shocked for a while. The entire scene is loaded with mental patients, and yet Dev Anand looks the most sober amongst them. Named Ramlal, he calls himself Funtoosh and is beaten by a mob for his foolish activities. Seth Karodimal takes him home for his own benefit as he learns about Ramlal's insurance and wants him dead. However, Ramlal spoils KL's plans. With his silly and flirty personality, he becomes popular amongst girls, including Karodimal's daughter Neelu, who actually falls in love with him. Since her marriage is fixed to someone else by her father, Neelu and Funtoosh must find a way to break it and get married to each other. In the meantime, Karodimal is trying every trick to kill Ramlal to get that insurance money to pay his debts. So, it's a comedy and a good one. The problem is lengthy songs that make it boring. Dene wala jab bhi deta is a fun song, and Dukhi Man Mere Sun is a sad one. The latter worked for me. Dev Anand goes mad since he was playing a "temporary" mental patient. Sheila Ramani was good, but her chemistry with Dev did not work for me. Dev had been paired with many other great actresses; maybe that's why. K. N. Singh was fine; watch out for that twist in the last scene. Chetan Anand's film lacks finesse and looks very rough. It could have been much better and sharper, I feel. Still, a good timepass, if nothing recommendable.
RATING - 6/10*
By - #samthebestest.
