‘Bunty Aur Babli 2’ cons viewers more than victims in film

Not much works in favour of the sequel as the entire idea goes astray in an overdose of effect over content

Hyderabad: ‘Aap ka expiry date aagaya’ says a character in the film and that applies to the con idea around which this film revolves. It is a disinteresting narrative trying hard to build a franchise to borrow the expression and caution against things to come.

Shaad Ali offered something fresh in 2005. What worked surely in that round was the amazing screen chemistry of the lead pair, the presence of Big B and ‘Kajra Re’. This time around, nothing works and what is worse – the entire bubbly idea goes astray in an overdose of effect over content. The fact that Shaad is not in charge and the underrated Abhishek is missing does not help the proceedings either.

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Surely, a pair conning the town with idea like selling a fancy orgy trip to a non-existent island or leasing out the Ganges is not outrageous to the gullible but the manner in which it pans out shows that our con guys are far from professional and are crude and amateur. One Vijay or Ravi (our conscious inspectors from Bollywood) would have them in wraps in less than 24 hours. Not Inspector Jatayu Singh (Pankaj Tripathi).

When Kunal (Siddhant Chaturvedi) and Sonia (Sharvari Wagh) find their first set of victims in a set of pot-bellied raunchy middle-aged businessmen, the police head straight to Bunty (Saif, a poor replacement to Abhishek) and Babli (Rani Mukherjee) as prime suspects going by the signature tune of the conmanship. However, when in custody, the new pair is at it again giving the original converts the benefit of doubt.

How the foursome meets up and combats for the original title, and when and how the hands of law try to enforce the law and are found gaping is the story. Also are a couple of new tricks and new victims, including the Mayor (Yashpal Sharma) and the food grain dealer, Singh (Asrani).

Trying hard to play the middle-aged hunk is Saif – miscast. This comedy is not his cup of tea. Also, the creative team’s failure to get Abhishek who has a great sense of timing in his humour and would suit this role, leaves a huge vaccum.

In the attempt to be grotesque and as someone from a village in UP, Rani ends up ‘enjoying herself in a costume drama’ and as a cross between a character from mythology and science fiction happening in Uttar Pradesh. The colour riot just fails to take off, unlike in the earlier edition.

Of the lead pair, Sharvari has good screen presence but it is Sidhanth Chaturvedi who carries of the role with finesse. Your heart goes out to Pankaj Tripathi who nearly defies the ill-designed role and does his very best.More than the victims in the film, this film cons the viewers in the theatre.

Title: Bunty Aur Babli 2

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Sharvari Wagh, Pankaj Tripathi
Director: Varun V Sharma

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