The Shaukeens

Talking about the so called remake status of THE SHAUKEENS first, its actually not a remake of any original Hindi project, since even Basu Chatterjee made his 1982 classic SHAUKEEN taking all clear inspirations from an English film titled BOYS NIGHT OUTreleased in 1962. In addition it also cannot be called as a true remake as the latest version follows a much bold path both in visual and verbal terms. Plus it also adds another fresh plot interfering into the script hampering its original enjoyable spirit to a large extent.

Honestly I was pretty excited to watch THE SHAUKEENS due to its three veterans and the exclusive feature that its story-screenplay-dialogues were written by one of my favourite writer-actor-director Tigmanshu Dhulia. But unfortunately post a fine first hour and a few surprising insertions like a (wasted) cameo of Rati Agnihotri and a song from Anu Malik, the film turned out to be way below expectations, mainly because of the deliberate twists added in its second half. So till intermission it remains a good time pass with a few enjoyable sequences and performances covering up the shortcoming of an overstretched screenplay.

However as the second half begins, the film starts walking on an entirely different (and downward) path, completely hijacked by Akshay Kumar himself, who was actually supposed to be there in a cameo, but probably changed his mind being the co-producer of the film too unexpectedly. Akshay begins well taking potshots on the Industry and its 'crore clubs'. But then starts taking too much space on the screen ignoring the three main heroes of the film quite strangely. Perhaps the makers forgot that the USP of this particular film happened to be the three middle aged men searching for a girl and not anything else to say it all.

Anyhow due to this big miscalculated move, the film fails to pick up in its later reels, ending on another flat note all of sudden and surprisingly has many vulgar dialogues too which frankly were not expected from both Tigmanshu Dhulia and the director Abishek Sharma who superbly directed an all clean, entertaining comedy movie called TERE BIN LADEN in the past. Also I would like to mention here a particular sequence in the film, wherein before going to Malaysia, Piyush Mishra is shown coming out of Delhi's OSHO WORLD shop situated at ANSAL PLAZA holding a five CD set of "Sambhog Se Samadhi Ki Ore" in his hands. Now its quite evident that many in the country as well as abroad still associate OSHO with the word SEX showing their uneducated and underdeveloped state of mind quite clearly. But why Tigmanshu and Abishek added this specific scene into the film is really doubtful and it strongly makes me think that, "Did the two talented film-makers intend to make fun of those unaware section of people who still ignorantly associate the mystic master OSHO with SEX or they both themselves are a part of those silly mindsets still playing with the same ridiculous ideas about OSHO even in 2014?" I will definitely try to find the answer to this question if I happen to meet them ever in the future but anyway returning back to the film, its soundtrack offers a mixed bag with two catchy and two awfully rotten numbers like "Ishq Kutta" and "Alcoholic"…………what kind of songs were these really, I failed to understand. Placed in New Delhi and Mauritius, its cinematography doesn't offer anything great and the same can be said about its background score and editing too which actually makes the film a bit lazy and stretched unnecessarily at regular intervals.

So what's there in the film that it can be watched once? - It's the cute acts of three fantastic actors Anupam Kher, Annu Kapoor and Piyush Mishra playing the three sex-starved men looking for girls. Anupam plays it subtly but brilliantly (once again) along with Piyush expressing it wildly (he is a delight to watch). But the lead here is taken by Anu Kapoor enacting the bachelor Casanova with a bindaas touch, being their 'all knowing' leader of the expedition And the three put up a great show for the viewers in their scenes together. Lisa Haydon is just fine lacking that sensuality even in her almost none clothes and Cyrus Broacha is good but doesn't get much to do in his limited scenes post interval.

Concluding the write up, yes you can watch THE SHAUKEENS once for the three veterans, but I personally wished to see them much more in the film than presented. In other words, I was there to watch these three exceptionally talented actors in the film from the first frame to the last and not any big actor-producer coming in to take all the limelight, ruining it all. And I really wish THE SHAUKEENS was made focusing on the three Shaukeens only and not anything else just for the sake of it.

Hence give it a try if you wish but in case you haven't seen the earlier Basu Chatterjee's highly inspired but classic version of 1982 then go for it as a must and have a great time with Ashok Kumar, A. K. Hangal and Utpal Dutt playing the dirty trio.

Three Libidinous oldies, one crazy bimbette and a reigning superstar - with these oddballs, director Abhishek Sharma (of Tere Bin Laden fame)revisits the Bollywood classic 'Shaukeen',but with genX humor and plenty of uproarious moments.

When Two is Company, Three is Crime. With an interesting voice-over of Akshay Kumar (who plays himself!) introducing the lecherous threesome, we get a glimpse of their lives through the antics which primarily begins with a daily dose of visual Viagra in the jogging park and ends with goofing it up.'Umar Pachpan ki par Dil Bachpan Ka' is the underlying characteristic of the incorrigible Laali(Anupam Kher),Pinki(Piyush Mishra) and the bachelor KD(Annu Kapoor) who are crazy to get into some 'Ohh-la-la' fling.After a couple of their attempts misfire, the trio heads to the scenic Mauritius,much away from the radar of their policing families.And as luck would have it, they stumble upon the gorgeous and sultry Ahana,the 'Earth Child'(Lisa Haydon)who swoons them with her oomph.Ahana is a die-hard Akshay kumar fan and when the trio learns it, each one of them begins his pursuit to please her with the hope of a return favor.

The Shaukeens, written by Tigmanshu Dhulia , borrows the template from the 1980 film with the same title, but doesn't match up to the spontaneity of the plot or the ingenuity with which the stalwarts(Ashok Kumar, Utpal Dutt and AK Hangal)had approached their characters in the original. And here,I would blame it on the shoddy writing and uninspiring screenplay which overclouds the talents of the cast.The sexual innuendos,the projection of Bangkok in poor light or the trio's repeated request to Ahana to slip into bikini makes you cringe after a point in time, ignoring the fact that the lass is more concerned about the number of likes on her FB pics.

Agree, the jokes might appear crass in the beginning but you get to redeem your boredom with the entry of Akshay Kumar. Taking digs at self seems to be latest mantra in Bollywood and Akshay does it sportingly with a great élan.As an 'Alcoholic' actor desperate to win a national award, his self-deprecating humor works enormously for the benefit of the film and us.And here I would give brownie points to the writers who competently synergize the main plot with Akshay's part.

What can also be appreciated about the Shaukeens is the chemistry between the three oldies and their comic banters. They are the best of friends otherwise , but the most hopeless competitors under the influence of Ahana. Among the lot,I liked Annu Kapoor the most. With his nymph in crescendo,Annu makes his character despicable for the dignified viewer,yet evoking the likability to root for. Actors in cameo - Cyrus Broacha, Gaurav Gera and Subrat Dutta are a pleasure to watch.Not to forget, the other celebrities of the Bollywood film fraternity - Abhishek,Sunil Shetty, Kareena and Dimple Kapadia!

Shaukeens is not a bad movie, it makes for a fun watch.Its like a piece of creamy cake.The fun lasts till the glossy garnishing is over.

The Shaukeens is a story of three oldies - KD, Lali and Pinki. These lusty old men plan a trip to Mauritius after it becomes difficult, rather life-threatening for them to get some action in Delhi.

In Mauritius the trio stay with a young fashion designer Ahana (Lisa Haydon). Ahana, a huge Akshay Kumar fan, is nursing a broken heart.

Akshay Kumar (playing himself), is an alcoholic superstar desperately wanting to win the National Award. He is stuck between a Bengali director who gives him tips on method-acting and a secretary, hell bent on getting his superstar boss focus on Rs.200- cr club.

When Akshay Kumar comes to Mauritius for a shoot, Ahana falls in love with him. The three oldies, needless to say, are already in love (read lust) with Ahana. In the end, who gets whom and what, is all that The Shaukeens is about.

The Shaukeens is a remake, rather recreation of Basu Chatterjee's 1982 Shaukeen starring Ashok Kumar, Utapal Dutt, AK Hangal, Rati Agnihotri and Mithun Chakraborty. Directed by Abhishek Sharma, The Shukeens boasts of pace and crispy dialogs. Tigmanshu Dhulia's tight screenplay and flawless act by the three veterans make the film immensely watchable.

the movie is really one of those where they have an interesting concept, but really no concrete storyline. i guess even the concept is not novel and is stolen from the old shaukeen. so, anyway, the movie starts with a concept, plays with it till the interval, and then you can see it is running out of steam; so then they complete change it and go in a totally different direction. i liked the first half, it had some good laughs, and some witty dialogues. you can't call it a well made movie, but if you go with friends and are willing to let your hair down, i guess you can unwind a bit. my wife liked the second half much more. annu kapoor gives a good performance; anupam kher is really too overexposed and overacts. the third shaukeen i have seen for the first time, but he does a good job too. akshay kumar's willingness to make fun of himself is refreshing. lisa hayden looks good but her character is not a convincing one.

I won't compare it to the original movie "Shaukeens" as it can not be compared at all. This is worst movie ever Akshay has acted in. I think he keeps signing the same kind of movies again and again which do not have storyline or acting.

Lisa Hayden is not at all suited in this movie, it was a headache to watch her act. Anupam has kept the flow going and Anu Kapoor has played the role of his usual character. Movie has some funny moments.

If you have already seen the original Shaukeens then you will feel bad you chose to watch this movie.

If you have nothing else to watch , go for it.