ARJUN PATIALA: Movie Review

Spoof films are a successful genre in Hollywood; however, Hindi cinema has hardly explored this concept. This week’s release #ArjunPatiala follows this genre of cinema and tries to make the audience laugh. Does it succeed in this attempt? Let’s analyse.

Arjun Patiala tells the story of young man who becomes a cop through sports quota and pledges to make the city (where he is posted) crime free. What hurdles he faces and how he succeeds in this attempt is the crux of the story.

Direction: Many years ago, #RamGopalVarma was akin to an industry in himself, and he gave opportunities to several of his assistants, one of them being #RohitJugrajChauhan. He made his debut with James, and then moved to Punjabi cinema. This time Rohit is back again with Arjun Patiala. It was a pleasant surprise to see him attempting a comedy film in spite of working for #RGV School of filmmaking once upon a time. His direction is decent, and he has deliberately tried to make a spoof and over the top film which can be enjoyed leaving your brains totally at home.

Story and screenplay: The story and screenplay are of a typical masala film, and it has hardly any new thing to offer. The dialogues sound like the Whatsapp jokes which we read daily on our phones but still it works for laughter.

Technical departments: The editing is ok, and thankfully the film is just 2 hours long. Cinematography is good, and locales of Punjab are captured well.

Music and Lyrics: Both the music and lyrics are strictly ok.

Performances: From being a singer to a TV presenter to an actor, #DiljitDosanjh has come a long way. He is presently seen as a superstar in Punjabi cinema. He portrays his character exactly as per the demands of his role. He is good in romantic scenes, but as the film itself is a spoof, he suits the character well. #KritiSanon does what a heroine of a masala film does: dance and look beautiful. She shines in the scene where she opens up her sad past. It’s one of the best scenes of the film. #VarunSharma gives enough laughs. #RonitRoy is ok. #PankajTripathi is wasted in a cameo. Same goes for Seema Pahwa. Mohammad Zeishan Ayub is good. Ritesh Shah, the writer of the film as the hero’s father does not impress at all.

WMR VERDICT:

Arjun Patiala is a spoof film made with an intention of providing pure harmless laughter to you without any need for you to apply your minds at all. The film will not be liked critically at all and will be ridiculed. As a common cinegoer, it’s a must watch film for the family audience, especially kids who will enjoy it the most.

WMR Rating: 3.0/5.0