'Golmaal Returns' has built tremendous excitement at the box office, which reflected to a good opening. But, the flick just doesn't have the aplomb that it's pre-promotion hype had created. Decades ago, the original 'Golmaal' was a hair-splitting comedy, reflecting a new trend that began with showcasing the changing lifestyle of cosmopolitan cities. Youth loved it, families roared with laughter.
A couple of years ago, Rohit Shetty, came up with the new avatar of Golmaal. Shetty became rated as fine director. Comedy was crisp and precise, pressed the right buttons and people had a gala time watching. Naturally, producers (Shree Ashtavinayak) and Rohit decided to launch a sequel. Now, 'Golmaal Returns' is what we're talking about. As they say in the West, the sequel more than its alma mater was to deliver a slapstick, but raging comedy - a no brainer! Nopes, 'Golmaal Returns' is unbearable!
click for larger view
Shetty had said that he was inspired by a nearly four-decades-old Bollywood movie 'Aaj Ki Tazaa Khabar' starring Kiran Kumar and Radha Saluja. But that was then. 'Golmaal Returns' screenplay writer Yunus Sajawal seems to have made a khichdi of dialogue. Moviegoers might want to think before you leap into your seats in the cinema or carry a pain-killer. The talk is that talented director Rohit Shetty might have miscalculated on this movie. Moreover, one wonders why an accomplished actor like Ajay Devgan agreed!? 'Golmaal Returns' may have been planned to hit the wave of nit-wits. But, even that kind of audience these days is picky. Perhaps, a few situation comedies between Tusshar and Shreyas might work. Overall, the film does not meet the standards of a comedy.
click for larger view
The story is about Gopal (Ajay Devgan) and wife Ekta (Kareena Kapoor) who share a home together with sister Esha (Amrita Arora) and brother-in-law Lucky (Tusshar Kapoor). Gopal is stuck on a yacht and happens to have rescued a gorgeous woman Meera (Celina Jaitly) from miscreants. Well Gopal and Meera end up having to be on the yacht all night. Next day, Gopal has to face his painfully suspicious wife who is an ardent fan of the saas-bahu serials on Indian television. Gopal comes up with a story that he stayed the night with a (fictitious) friend called Anthony Gonsalves. Ekta is not convinced and dispatches a letter to Anthony (fictitious address given by Gopal).
click for larger view
Ekta wants Anthony to come and talk about the night spent. Gopal goes a step further in lying and asks a junior colleague, Laxman (Shreyas Talpade), to cover for Anthony. It's supposed to work until of course Anthony meets Ekta. And to make matters worse a dead body is discovered where Gopal saved Meera. The Investigating policeman, Madhav (Arshad Warsi), is Esha's boyfriend and quite hates Gopal. Madhav makes the most of the news that Gopal was missing that fateful night.
click for larger view
This is where one stops and wonders about the promotion that promised a bigger, better 'Golmaal Returns.' The sequel quite frankly goes downhill from here. While the premise isn't bad, but the situational comedy sequences just don't cut it. One ponders if Yunush Sajawal was perhaps not in the right frame of mind to have delivered a weak screenplay. Fire-power in situations, hearty one-liners in dialogue and exceptional acting are needed as a combination to create mind blowing and stomach tickling comedy.
click for larger view
A little spurt here and there of laughs does not entertain for a whole two plus hours. At times, one feels just mechanically watching the shots roll by. Another weakness is Music. 'Tha Karke' is appealing but 'Tu Saala' (promoted earlier) is missing. 'Meow' plays over credit line and by then you might be ready to hit the exit. On the positive side, Tusshar Kapoor has once again claimed that he's an actor despite the dialogue and the movie itself. Shreyas Talpade shines in the supporting cast. Shreyas does have a comic side. Ajay Devgan is sweet and Kareena acts the suspicious wife well. Celina of course is mind boggling.
click for larger view
Arshad Warsi, Amrita Arora, Anjana Sukhani are just okay. Vrajesh Hirjee is alright. Sharat Saxena, Rakhi Vijan, Sanjay Mishra, Murli Sharma, Mukesh Tiwari and Ashwini Kalsekar fill in the blanks. If your have the time and money for a few gags, then spend it on 'Golmaal Returns.' There might be an initial rush but the movie has no staying power.
