MAHESH MANJREKAR AT HIS WORST
By Pankaj Shukla
Critic's I-view
After donning the actor's coat in many films, director Mahesh Manjrekar has faltered in his own domain (direction). He was a man who made people expect a lot from him. But he seems to be following the path that saw veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt retires. No one can believe that the same man who entered Bollywood with a bang after his hard-hitting films like 'Vaastav' and 'Astitva' makes 'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav'. First, it was 'Pitaah' that made magic of the Sanjay Dutt- Mahesh Manjrekar duo fail and then there were series of films that bite the dust at the box office.
Mahesh is now known as a man who believes in gimmicks. If his latest 'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav' is any indication, then the fame has made him as corrupt as has been the case of RJD leader Laloo Prasad Yadav who faces many cases of corruption. Yadav's den Bihar is going to witness assembly elections next month. Observers feel that the fate of this film might indicate the fading glory of unchallenged leader of Bihar. 'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav' has failed and so has its conception.
The film has no relation with this leader who also happens to be India's railway minister. There are four characters-- Padmashree, Laloo, Prasad and Yadav around whom the main story revolves. Laloo (Suniel Shetty) is a philanderer who is always in search of new beauties. Though he is already engaged to a beautiful girl Padmashree (Maushmi), it does not matter to him. He is caught red handed by his girlfriend but manages to get rid of the situation as usual. However, this time, Padam says enough is enough and moves on to South Africa to start the life afresh. In fact, Padam has some heritage lying there, and wants to get it back. When she reaches there, she finds Laloo has already reached there.
They unite again after the initial tussle. They seek help of a local goon (Gulshan Grover), and here enters another character Yadav (Johny Lever). All the four unite to take out the piece of meat from the mouth of a lion. However, in the end they get stuck up with a woman. And, this incident makes their life hell. The police enters the scene and so does the advocate Prasad (Mahesh Manjrekar) to whom Padam gets attracted or at least pretends so. Laloo is not happy with this and Yadav too plans something. The mayhem continues and what one sees is the race of one-upmanship. The climax is far stretched and is boring too.
Mahesh Manjrekar once a name to reckon with in Bollywood is now more interested in acting; his first love direction seems to have taken a back seat. What surprises more in 'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav' is that Manjrekar has compromised on the story line. The plot of 'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav' is not new, the rat race for a particular treasure has been witnessed many times on the silver screen. Last time we saw it in 'Aawara Paagal Deewana'. His technical team too has gone weak over the years. 'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav' also suffers with its script. Yash and Vinay have brought too many jokes and funny situations. Sometimes they have forced them into the movie.
Though the formula is an old and the tested one, yet it doesn't work all the time. Manjrekar must think twice before he takes his fans for sure. He does have a major fan following and if he delivers even half of what he used to give earlier, he will again attain his lost position in Bollywood. Music of the film is a major let down though the camera work fares well. The Cape Town locations have been well canned. But why to end film at Laloo's place, it seems that the scene has been enacted to oblige Laloo Prasad Yadav.
'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav' also falters in its cast. Suniel Shetty looks awkward in a role of philanderer. His looks are meant for a solid role. Here he looks an idiot. Suniel is not meant for a comedy. Johny Lever is wasted too; he has adopted a style for himself and his new postures and facial expression don't go well. He does not fit the bill. And, why did Mahesh Manjrekar act? He could not even get 50 percent from his cast.
Maushmi shows confidence on screen, but she needs a refresher course in acting for a bright future in Bollywood though she tries her best and emerges winner. Among seniors, Sharat Saxena, Kunika and Shashikala didn't get support from the script. But why to blame them? The captain of the ship is the main culprit. Stay away from the theatres if you don't want your hard earned money to go in the drain.
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