Review : Kuch meetha ho jaaye

The debut directorial venture of journalist-turned-director Samar Khan, this film features a large cast of lesser-known actors (mostly TV stars) – the exception being Mahima Chaudhary and Warsi. The film starts with an innovative premise, but fails in execution, due to inept acting, hammy dialogues, some overdone, ludicrous characters, and futile gimmickry.

The story revolves around a bunch of passengers stuck in an airport in Ganganagar, while their delayed Delhi-bound plane is being repaired for technical problems. In the first 2 minutes, we are introduced to the characters (through a narrator), and they are :

After that whirlwind introduction, we are lead onto details of each of these characters, and their problems. These dreary insights are given to us through private conversations between characters. The film drags on, with the flight getting further delayed. Towards the end, the characters having had the much needed time (because of the delay) to workthrough their problems, have all found wonderful solutions to life’s miseries, i.e.; they are one big happy family. Enter Shahrukh Khan, who awakens from deep sleep (intelligent man that !), poses for some photos and calls Farah’s dad in Delhi to smooth the lovers’ path. A state of frothy happiness now achieved for all concerned, the film ends.

There are several problems with this film. The plotline nosedives after the initial start, with virtually nothing remarkable happening. Ridiculous homespun philosophy, and the “all will be well” routine doesn’t make sense in this film. Realism, at which the movie makes a pretense, goes flying out the window, with gimmicky characters, and the contrived happy ending. The plot as director Khan sees it, requires the presence of talented actors; the ones who can deliver in a few moments of screen-time. However, this is not the case here. Hence, the charcters appear shallowly etched, very little screen time given to each inept actor, thus failing to drive home the emotion/pathos.

Good actors are wasted. Mridul as the air-hostess barely has a few minutes. Kanwaljeet as the ludicrously developed Col. Kapoor, and Pravin Dabbas as the Italian born desi are not made use of. New actors Mahima Mehta and Shravan desperately need acting skills. Warsi and Mahima C., Khedekar and Harshe do a decent job, and the rest are about average. Poor screenplay and ill-situated dialogues help the movie plumb the depths of bad film-making. Music is just about OK.

I have now officially assumed martyr status (see the bright light around my head ?) after suffering through this awful movie, just to write this review. Unless you too really need a halo, avoid this one.