Krishna Iyer M.A. Narialpaniwala from the highly acclaimed movie 'Agnipath' returns once more. Remember the role Cult Star of Indian Cinema Mithun Chakraborty played in that Amitabh Bachchan starrer that failed at box office but filled the bags of its artists with awards after awards. Mithun's comic timing is superb; he matches the wit by wit. But to cash on his aura is up to the capability of a director. He works wonders when he is put in his past and asked to connect it with future. Mithun is the only star in the present era who won the coveted National Award in his debut film. Mithun's second inning is turning stronger and the news is that he has been signed by Ashtvinayak Films for his latest flick 'Loot in One Crore'.
Alas, this veteran son Asim Samanta ends up making a mockery of his personality in 'Don Muthuswami'. Two things need to be taken care of by the filmmakers in general and by Mithun Da in particular. First, Mithun was a superstar some two decades ago, but the scenario has changed now. Millions love him even today, but he need not take the whole burden of a movie on his shoulders. Mithun is an added advantage to any film, but then the director has to create the ambience for presenting Mithun in a larger than life role. Second, Mithun Da should understand economics of present day films. If he is placed against a strong character, he delivers his best. But in the company of juniors he fails to show his best on the screen.
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'Don Muthuswami' is not a film to entertain. Remember the comedy films that were once made by the likes of Hrishi Da ; the simpler the plot, the easier it becomes to make people laugh. Confusing screenplays don't last forever. The toughest task is to make a comedy film and director Asim Samanta should have learned it first. Mithun plays the character of a Don who has promised his dying father to mend ways in life. He asks all his goons to start working as gentlemen, and to be a gentleman himself, he starts learning Hindustani.
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Now to make a comedy film and put its central character in South Indian attire is never a smart thing. Mithun no doubt can play any role on screen, but think of the viewers in Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab, why will they get associated with a character who is from a place, where Hindi is considered an alien language? The whole difference between Mithun playing a south Indian character in 'Agnipath' and get all the adulation is quite different from what he has been asked to play in 'Don Muthuswami'. The biggest fault that Asim Samant does is to put so many weird characters around the Don.
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The problem sets in when Don Muthuswami hires a teacher Jai Kishan (Mohit Rana) to teach him Hindustani. The film gives an impression that you are about to watch a remake of first 'Golmaal', where Amol Palekar ends up making a lot of fun. But, Mohit Raina playing Jai Kishan is for sure not Amol Palekar! He does love Don's daughter Sanjana (Hrishitaa Bhatt) like Amol Palekar did with Utpal Dutt's daughter in 'Golmaal', but the entire equation in 'Don Muthuswami' isn't as simple as in 'Golmaal'. Don too is worried for a right match for his daughter ( Sanjana ), but she refuses to marry son of her father's best friend, Don Vardhan. Muthu's close associate Preetam (Rohit Roy) fixes his eyes on Sanjana.
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And before this love triangle is solved, enters one more girl Ranjana, who declares her love for Preetam straightaway. Preetam is leaving no stone unturned and works overtime to become rich though it is not the extra work but the extra effort that he is putting in to do away with the money of Don Muthuswami. The story turns a full circle when Don comes to know that his daughter is in love with his teacher. If Don Muthuswami fails to ignite interest in viewers, it is because of an ill planning of the film. After all, Asim Samanta must have learnt a lot while he was growing and watching some classic films of his father Shakti Samanta.
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Asim had access to Mithun Da because of his father and if a gentleman like Mithun Chakraborty agrees to oblige a director then it is duty of that director to provide the most suitable role to Mithun Da. Mithun's last hit 'Guru' is a fine example of his capabilities even when he is nearing 60. It is the anger that works best for him. Give him a role that requires a lot of controlled energy to flow from his actions and eyes, and Mithun will give run for money to any of the current senior actor. Besides, there is a certain psyche among Mithun's fans; he has been hero of the poor. He has never been the first choice of multiplex audience. He is king of his own society that is made of those who eat Vada Pav in their meal and not those who munch popcorn in theaters.
No actor in the film could match Mithun in his antics, be it Mohit Raina or Rohit Roy. Even Hrishitaa Bhatt fails to bring in any magic. The music of the film is below standard. On the whole, 'Don Muthuswami' makes a dent on Mithun's once again growing career. He should better take care while choosing roles in his second innings. Not a bad idea to skip this movie.
