Dibakar Banerjee is a different type of a director. He is neither Subhash Ghai nor Karan Johar. He returns this time with 'Oye Lucky Lucky Oye' though it's another enjoyable movie after his earlier 'Khosla Ka Ghosla'. Significantly, his hero Abhay Deol is lucky this time unlike in his earlier flick. He has been very successful in impressing the audience with his performance in this movie though he had earned laurels for his role earlier too.
While Paresh Rawal is always a treat to watch, Abhay Deol proves once again he's the Deol with a "Difference". Watch Abhay's movie with an understanding as he is playing anti-hero role. We wonder if the audience would appreciate the story of a super thief who makes stealing a sort of art. He isn't an ordinary stealer. That's why the viewers don't hate him, and rather enjoy his role. 'Oye Lucky Lucky Oye' is an ordinary story of a young boy who turns to crime not for the sake of necessities but for a pompous life; he doesn't steal food, clothes or bed, but opts for Merc, music system, and laptop, TV etc.
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He claims to have a right to a decent life. However, the fault lies with his father played by Paresh Rawal. The latter not only denies him his childhood love and affection, but also creates hatred for him by 'replacing' his mother with an aunty! Isn't this a great injustice towards a 15-year old son by his biological father to drive the child towards crime? Since the director is very well versed with the city of Delhi, he has very beautifully depicted the Abhay Deol's character. So, Lucky! is more a peek into Delhi's belly, into the characters' lives, and into complex bitter-sweet relationships.
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When Abhay asks his dad for a scooter and the latter declines, the boy steals a motorbike from a garage to take his girl friend on a ride. Before taking up big crimes, he meets with a wheeler dealer named Gogi bhai . This Goga Bhai is none other than the boy's father ( Paresh Rawal) now playing the second role. Abhay woos his girlfriend by pleasing her mother: he buys kitchen items and also decorates their house and last of all starts a restaurant with a vet-turned-conman.
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Meanwhile, Lucky's partner-in-crime and childhood friend Bangali played by Manu Rishi introduces Abhay to Goga Bhai. Ambhay impresses Goga so much that the latter becomes his surrogate father. But the moment Lucky starts selling his loot to others, Goga gets him arrested. Now, Paresh Rawal plays the third role of a vet-turned-conman. This time his scheming wife played by none other than Archana Pooran Singh accompanies him. Incidentally, the boy is arrested by the Delhi Police with his strange booty comprising 200 shirts!.
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You may recall that Dibakar took a long time to come out with his second venture. The reason was simple. Soon after completing the script, he started looking for a producer. He was lucky to impress Ronie Screwwala to produce it. Immediately, Dibakar signed Boman Irani who was then shooting Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 'Munna Bhai MBBS'. Since Boman was new in the industry, he accepted the offer and at a very low fee.
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Then, impressed by the performance of Abhay Deol in his 'Ek Chalis Ki Last Local', Diwakar signed Abhay. Besides, he also signed Neetu Chandra who was ready for enacting any steamy scene, and also Archana Pooran Singh, before beginning the movie's shooting. Believe it that the director completed the shooting schedule within 90 days, and fortunately secured good theaters in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh territory with fifty prints as against 60 by 'Sorry Bhai'. The movie's USP are performances, elegant humor and the right backdrop, according to its director.
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The movie has a weakness inasmuch as the post-interval session is too slow. Besides, Lucky's stealing of Mercedez doesn't evoke any police action. This isn't possible. However, acting-wise Abhay Deol's performance is superb in creating humor. Manjot Singh as the young Lucky is fantastic. Paresh Rawal is good in general and on top in certain scenes. Neetu Chandra performs very well. Technically, the film is superb. Sneha Khanwalkar's music is good and the sound designing excellent. Art direction by Monica Angelica is good too in bringing out the quaint old Delhi flavour. Kartik Vijay's camera captures Delhi very well.
