Yamla Pagla Deewana

Previously three Deols came together in APNE which was a boxing family drama. With YPD they venture into new territory - comedy. Is this attempt successful ? Yes !

This movie is about journey of sunny paaji to India from Canada in search of his father and younger brother. So first half is dedicated to formation of plot and is based in Benaras. Real fun begins in second half in punjab. With bizarre situation created they succeeds in making you laugh. Dharam paaji, sunny paaji, bobby all are good in there performances but special praise should go to Anupam Kher for his hilarious performance as eldest brother of heroine. There is no much innovation in story, music is average.

Overall a nice entertaining movie. My rating - 7/10

When I watched Apne, I was slightly disappointed. Not because it was a bad film, as a film - Apne was pretty decent. However, it shocked me to see the Deols together for the first-time and they're in an emotional drama. Of Course, that's not the fault of Apne but still I was thriving for that one film full of masala and action that the Deols provided millions in the past few years. With Yamla Pagla Deewana, we finally are treated to a wacky action comedy full of gags and spoofs on the Deol family themselves.

Paramvir is an NRI living with his Canadian wife, kids and mother. Paramvir's father had left them with Paramvir's younger brother many years ago. Through a coincidence, Paramvir comes to know that his father and brother are in Banaras and they're big cons. Paramvir goes to India to bring back his remaining family. Once Paramvir reaches there, things go haywire as other issues arise for Paramvir other than just getting his father and brother back. What happens next, is Yamla Pagla Deewana.

YPD does not promise logic. However, it stills provides a bit more than the usual mindless entertainer. The storyline also does not bring anything new. However, it's the moments, the chemistry, the dialogue and gags that blow one away.

The first half is actually plain ordinary. There are a few moments that may enlighten you but it's the second half where everything is properly packed. In fact, the post intervel portions make Yamla Pagla Deewana fun.

There are some minor blemishes here and there. Firstly, why exactly does Dharmendra leave the family is never properly explained. Also, the music is a sour point. The revised yesteryear song which is also the title track stays with you. Also, Tinku Jiya and that's about it.

The screenplay is okay in the first half but the the writers need to be aplauded on the jump they make in the second half. It's a joyride when our Deols get to Punjab. Dialogue is fresh.

Samir Karnik's direction is good. As mentioned, the second half is where he gets it right. From the sequence when Sunny and Bobby meet Anupem Kher for the first time till the climax.Terrific.

Dharmendra looks in great shape and gives an energetic performance. Bobby Deol is good in the first hour but it's really the second hour when he shines. Kulraj Randhawa is gorgeous.

From the characters, it's Anupem Kher who stands out as the crazy brother. He's brilliant. Not to forget two other actos who shine well - Mukul Dev as Billa and Amit Mistry as Binda. Sucheta Khanna as Poli is also first rate. Puneet Issar is wasted. Nafisa Ali is okay.

All said and done, the film rides on the strong shoulders of Sunny Deol. Sunny is in form and in the correct form after a long long time. It's great to see the talented macho man do everything from action to comedy. Just excellent! Overall, it's a treat to watch the 3 Deols together and that too in the right kind of movie. If you are free and need to be entertained, Yamla Pagla Deewana is for you.

The USP of 'Yamla Pagla Deewana' should definitely be the sharing of screen space by the Deols and the fact that a large portion of the movie is based in the home ground amidst the Jats/ Sardars/ Punjab. The taste buds of Deol's fans + North India + Overseas market is satiated to great lengths. The Santa/ Banta jokes are aplenty. To fire up the screens, not one but two item songs are thrown in for good measure (cashing on the success of "Munni Badnaam" vocalist of to croon both "Tinku Jiya" & "Chamki Jawaani").

░ Dharam Paji:: The 75+ star manages to pull off a good performance, though as expected wrinkle lines are obvious. A few of his nostalgic lines are bound to draw whistles in the cinema halls.

░ Sunny:: His character is confined to play the macho man who stutters the moment his better-half turns him into battered-half. The "Dabbang"'isque action is revisited showcasing the "dhaai-kilo-ka-haath" in full glory.

░ Bobby:: Not quite there. Wish he could put in that little extra to pull-off the "Gajodhar" character.

░ Kulraj Randhawa:: The Preity Zinta impersonator has a charming screen presence. Though the romantic track is not fleshed out adequately.

░ Anupam Kher:: His comic timing deserves a mention and his character seemed Santa-Banta rolled into one.

░ Puneet Isaar:: Not enough screen-time.

░ Mukul Dev & Himanshu Malik: I failed to recognise them both in the Sardar get up.

░ Johnny Lever:: Not even worth a mention. Thankfully very limited screen-time.

░ Nafisa Ali & Emma Brown:: The role can be termed as special appearance.

The plot is very much 1970's and the voice-over from Ajay Devgn serves the disclaimer of "lost & found" script at the very start of the movie. On that note, the writing should have been further polished. The screenplay is the weakest link. Additionally the editor could have trimmed at the right place to make a lasting impact of the scene.

"Yamla Pagla Deewana" has been marketed well, especially the promos which managed to create a buzz (and more or less encapsulated the funny moments!).

Samir Karnik seems to know how to hold the reigns, the only thing he needs is to hold them tight!

PS: The original Rafi's title track has been re-mixed quite well.

The contribution of the Deol family to Hindi Cinema is not to be underestimated. It gave the first Indian He-Man..Dharmendra who in his hey days used to consistently top polls listing him as the most handsome man in India. Even though he did not win popular Film awards, he is one of the kings of Hindi Cinema.

His son Sunny carried on this tradition and has done his family proud.Even Bobby, the youngest son along with their sister Esha has jumped into the movie business.

The film is a tribute to the three male Deols', without giving anything away..paying homage to the lost and found formula story our Hindi films. It captures emotion, good locales( Varanasi and good o'l Punjab) as well as tickling the funny bone.Specially, the second half, which brings the house down. The music is not bad and add to this a fresh female actor who does a competent job opposite Bobby. Anupam Kher is a scene- stealer.

A word of caution, I saw this movie in a multiplex in a city in Southern India, so a major part of the jokes were a bit difficult to comprehend for the regional audience If you are a bit less informed and are not too familiar with this, ask a friend who is well versed to accompany you. Trust me, you will not regret it.

Over all my rating is 6 / 10

Enjoy !

Promos for YPD have made it a must watch for everyone and the movie fulfills its promise. It starts with a story of lost father Dharam (Dharmendra) and brother Gajodhar (Bobby) in search of whom Paramveer (Sunny) comes from canada to India. He founds them at the start only but the problem is to make them loose their habit of mugging up people and bring them back to his mother. The funniest parts come in when he joins them. After Interval movie picks up pace and gets funnier. In between Gajodhar falls in love with a sikh girl sahiba (Kulraj Randhawa)and a new funny story of trying to run with that girl starts as her 5 brothers wants her to marry an NRI only. Paramvir helps them to run but gets himself involved. Then Dharam gets in it and stuck. Then the whole family gets involved in this matter. Good Jokes on sunny's supernatural hulk behavior are everywhere in this movie. Bobby's role is different from all other movies. Songs are average except Title Song. Movie is an absolute watch for everyone.