Poster Boys

POSTER BOYS is the story of three men whose lives turn upside down for no fault of theirs. Vinay Sharma (Bobby Deol) is a docile school teacher, Arjun Singh (Shreyas Talpade) is an over enthusiastic school teacher while Jagaavar Chaudhary (Sunny Deol) is the explosive but also well-mannered retired army officer. They reside in a village called Jangheti and one day, they find their pictures on a poster promoting vasectomy. They are immediately ridiculed and the trio try their best to convince their near and dear ones that they haven't undergone the procedure and that their pictures have been wrongly used. They decide to take on the system to avenge the humiliation that they suffered. What happens next and whether they get justice forms the rest of the film.

POSTER BOYS doesn't start on a great note. The beginning portions are stretched, with the family members and acquaintances ridiculing the trio but not telling them the reason for the same. Also the TV style flashback portions look poor. The film picks up when the trio meet each other at the bridge. From here, the film turns into a fairly entertaining ride right till the end with no dull moment anywhere. A Few scenes stand out like Jagaavar stopping Arjun and Vinay from fighting, the trio going to local health office, the interval point, Jagaavar getting a call from Riya (Tripti Dimri) at midnight, Jagaavar and Vinay fooling the doctor (Ashwini Kalsekar) etc. The climax is quite exciting and it's praiseworthy how the makers have managed to seamlessly add a social message into the narrative.

Shreyas Talpade's story is novel and makes for an entertaining film. Bunty Rathore and Paritosh Painter's screenplay is effective overall, despite an average beginning. The fun element never stops and that is quite a feat. Bunty Rathore and Paritosh Painter's dialogues are hilarious and witty and one of the highpoints of the film. Shreyas Talpade's direction is quite good and he makes a great directorial debut. He ensures the subject isn't dumbed down and that audiences aren't taken for granted. Also, the way he and his team has made references to Deol brothers' earlier films like DAMINI, SOLDIER etc. is quite smartly done.

Some stories are so absurd, that they must be true!

This is what can be said for 'Poster Boys', a directorial venture of Shreyas Talpade (himself an accomplished actor, although lately kind of disappeared from the mainstream).

The topic of male sterilization and the associated taboo in India, especially when you live in a small village community, is presented in a funny and exaggerated manner. It is nice to see another attempt to re-launch Bobby Deol (as yet another borderline comic character). Although can't say it is much successful. In fact Sunny Paaji's effortless timing and dialog delivery made him overshadow his younger brother in nearly every scene together. He stole the show. Shreyas Talpade, who plays one the three main characters in the story, is OK; dons a 'tapori' look as a recovery agent, with two of his sidekicks (who by the way, gave some of the good laughs), getting into unwarranted troubles most of the time.

The movie tries to treat the subject in a quasi satirical manner, with references to how media can be manipulated by simply making some sensational moves. 'Truth needs sensation to be heard' - a sad but apt comment, made by one of the characters.

Overall nice, watchable and funny. Not that a must watch, but you most likely won't regret wasting your time.

There was a time when male sterilization was so demeaning but now a days, approach is changed. If they had handled this subject in light way then it could have been ticklish but they stuffed it with pretending unnecessarily high pitch drama and stupid comedy. In climax they tried to justify this subject in sensible way but that was too late and sudden. Film opens with all male actors back to camera, one journalist speaks about them and film goes to flash back with loud back ground and then opens with a dance sequence on which credits roll over. Nothing gels well, neither that back ground sound, nor that item song but character gets introduced in it. They tried to keep 'poster' issue as surprise for almost 25 minutes which was well exposed and revealed in trailer! They have tried to encash already established two male protagonist image by mocking their own hit dialogues. Master, played by Bobby Deol, has soldier song as ring tone. Government officer name is Balwant!! It is obvious that they could not find new gags so they tried to go on beaten path. Chaudhary (Sunny Deol), suddenly turns into his high voltage angry image by breaking lock, chair etc !! Drama seems lame and loud because of not so dramatic Poster issue but is has established as disaster by showing, Chaudhary's sister marriage gets cancelled. They think about ancient scene like Pagadhi putting on groom's father feet for not cancelling marriage !!? Master's wife, who has already two daughters, threatens him to divorce because she wants another male baby. Third, a recovery agent but behaving like goon is accepted by girl's family but gets rejected by girl's father due to that poster. There is nothing in the name of characterization. For example, teacher lives in Punjab, teaches Geography then speaks typical Hindi and sometimes Chemistry formulas, who is known for forgetting crux lines. A deaf photographer and his chubby female translator assistant!! Makers would have thought it as a laugh riot but it was lamest long scene. If male sterilization was so demeaning for that village than rather than going for medical checkup to prove that they had not done it they try every way like thrashing officers, going to court then announcing in press conference for nude protest but doing semi nude protest. First half is somehow bearable but second half is annoying. That long protest scene is too much. Everything happens in jiffy in climax. Even they preach after all stupid show off. Performance wise Bobby Deol as teacher is very impressive as a timid guy. Sunny Deol is good for whatever had tasked to him.

Had a great time watching this film with my family. We couldn't stop laughing. Just what was needed on a Sunday evening.

Great job. Light hearted, good script, funny jokes and references and very good performances.

Good job from the first time director too. Both behind and in front of the camera.

Throughly enjoyable. Don't think about it too much and just enjoy it for what it is.

Fast paced, stays relevant throughout, laughtriot Fully enjoyed it