Mujhse Shaadi Karogi-Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh, July 28, 2004



David Dhawan - the name brings back memories of blockbusters such as AANKHEN, BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN, BIWI NO. 1, BOL RADHA BOL, COOLIE NO. 1, HASEENA MAAN JAAYEGI, HERO NO. 1, JUDWAA, JODI NO. 1, RAJA BABU, SWARG, SHOLA AUR SHABNAM and SAAJAN CHALE SASURAL.

Naturally, with such titles to your credit, you expect the ultimate in entertainment from the badshaah of non-stop entertainment. And with a dream cast like Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra, the expectations from MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, multiply manifold.

A few questions cross your mind as you amble into the theatre to watch the most awaited marriage of the season -

• Will MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI meet the gargantuan expectations?



• Will the chemistry between Salman and Akshay - who have been teamed for the very first time - be electrifying? If yes, who'd steal the show?

Let's take the questions one by one -

• MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI falls in the same league as David Dhawan's earlier films. The focus is to entertain, not enlighten or educate. Where logic takes a backseat and all that matters is two-and-a-half hours of pure, unadulterated entertainment. In that respect, MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI scores. Leave behind your thinking caps at home before watching this movie and you'll enjoy this joy ride all the more!



• The on-screen chemistry between Sanjay Dutt and Govinda in David Dhawan's earlier films was exceptional and this time, in MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI, the camaraderie is simply amazing. In fact, the film would've fallen flat on its face had the two actors not been able to compliment each other in this story of one-upmanship.

As for who's better of the two, read that in a few paras below.

When Samir [Salman Khan] falls head over heels in love with lovely Rani [Priyanka Chopra], little does he know that his happiness will soon be sabotaged.

And the culprit is none other than Sunny [Akshay Kumar], with whom Samir shares his room and who has fallen for Rani's charms as well.

The two Romeos try desperate measures to win their lady love. As luck would have it, whatever right Samir tries to attempt goes spectacularly wrong, while Sunny emerges trumps!

Adding to the mayhem are Rani's disciplinarian army officer father [Amrish Puri] and Samir's astrologer friend [Rajpal Yadav].

MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI falls in the same genre as David Dhawan's Anil - Govinda starrer DEEWANA MASTANA. The game of one-upmanship, which was the premise of that film, is precisely the essence of MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI as well.

MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI has its share of sprightly moments. The stage is set at the very start of the film, when Salman bumps into an astrologer [Rajpal Yadav] as he arrives in Goa to start life afresh.

But the film actually takes off when Akshay lands up at the house and starts sharing the room with Salman. In fact, Akshay's introduction in the story only elevates things and the cat and mouse game that the two actors indulge in subsequently is simply howlarious!

The two Romeos' interaction with Amrish Puri specifically is amongst the high points of the enterprise. And the strategies Akshay adopts to outsmart Salman may seem asinine, but are amusing nonetheless.

The post-interval portions move at an equally brisk pace, not giving the viewer time to blink an eyelid. The climax - when Salman expresses his love for Priyanka on a cricket pitch - is truly different. And the presence of cricketers will only catch the viewers unaware, with Navjot Singh Sidhu's expert comments in English bringing the house down.

As to who gets the girl in the end, it wouldn't be fair to reveal it here!

David Dhawan is known for his kind of movies and the masala that MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI offers is enough to satiate the appetite of those looking for masala entertainment. Stylishly shot at some panoramic locales of Mauritius, with no double entendres, the film proves yet again that only David can pull off such stories without the cinegoer feeling cheated by an obscure plot. The film has a very youth-oriented feel, starting with the BAYWATCH-like portions [prime bodies on beaches] in the initial reels, which is what appeals in today's times.

Anees Bazmee's script is a prime example of make-believe, escapist cinema. Though the film has its share of interesting moments, the pace slackens slightly towards the post-interval portions because the game of one-upmanship starts stagnating after a point. But the climax elevates the film yet again. Slight trimming in the second half will only help.

Sanjay F. Gupta's cinematography is outstanding. Though a number of films have been shot in Mauritius, Gupta's lens captures the place so magnificently that it looks like a fresh locale completely.

Rumi Jaffrey's dialogues are in keeping with the mood of the film. A film like this relies on wit and humour and Rumi's one-liners are thoroughly enjoyable. Action scenes [Mahendra Verma] are first-rate.

Sajid-Wajid's musical score is rich enough. 'Rab Kare', 'Jeene Ke Hain Chaar Din', 'Laal Dupatta' and the title track are gems and the choreography of each track [Farah Khan] deserves distinction marks.

Of the cast, it's indeed difficult to say who'd walk away with ceetees and taalis at the conclusion of the show. Salman Khan, playing a goodie-goodie guy, enacts his part with gusto. Not only does the actor look dashing [a compliment he has learnt to live with!], the ease with which he handles the comic portions is incredible. In moments when Akshay actually downplays his deeds in the movie, your heart goes out to Salman and that's only because of the effective portrayal.

Akshay Kumar is a revelation. He has attempted comedy twice in the past - MR. AND MRS. KHILADI and KHAKEE - and he got his share of acclaim in both. With MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI, he surpasses his previous work. His timing is fantastic and the conviction with which he carries off the evil streak in his personality is bound to be talked-about in days to come.

Priyanka Chopra gives an equally good account of herself. Though the role doesn't really demand histrionics, the pretty lass carries off her part effortlessly. Also, she pairs off very well with both Salman and Akshay.

Amrish Puri is excellent. His sequences with Salman - right from the time when Salman slaps him at the start of the film, to the finale on the cricket pitch - are sure to keep you in splits. Rajpal Yadav [in a double role] is excellent as the astrologer, though he doesn't get much scope in the other role [member of the Eagle gang]. Kader Khan's character will be liked by the masses. Shashikala is alright. Satish Shah and Vindu are adequate.

Amrita Arora [sp. app.] is noticeable. Shefali Jariwala ['Kaanta Laga'] is appealing in a small role.

On the whole, MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI is an apt example of escapist cinema that transports you to a world of make-believe. Rich in face-value with light moments aplenty, the film has all it takes to woo the masses. At the box-office, the film will take a historic start, setting new box-office records in days to come.

Garv Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh, July 9, 2004

Music is a mixed bag. The two songs that stand out are 'Saiyaan' [Sajid-Wajid] and 'Marhaba' [Anu Malik]. The picturization of 'Marhaba' [on Reshma Bombaywala] should be lapped up by the hoi polloi. 'Dum Mast Mast' [Sajid-Wajid] is imaginatively filmed and tuned, but its placement is improper. In fact, the two songs ['Dum Mast Mast' and 'Hum Tumko Nigahone Mein'] in the second half, although well tuned, should be deleted rightaway since they come as a major hindrance in the narrative.

GARV belongs to Salman Khan, who carries the film on his broad shoulders. The actor takes to his part like a fish takes to water and emerges trumps. This performance will only multiply Salman's fan following by leaps and bounds!

Shilpa Shetty gets no scope at all. Blink an eyelid and she's gone! However, she sizzles in the dance numbers. Arbaaz Khan does leave a mark, more so towards the second half. Akanksha also gets scope in the post-interval portions and she does it well. Amrish Puri and Anupam Kher are proficient, like always. Mukesh Rishi is first-rate. Govind Namdeo is superb. Anant Jog, Mohan Joshi and Shivaji Satam are adequate. Inder Sudan [opposite Akanksha] gets no scope absolutely.

On the whole, GARV will meet with diverse reactions. While the hardcore masses will love it, the gentry/family/critics may not really take to it. At the box-office, the film should fare better at single screens, not at multiplexes. Its business will be good in Maharashtra, U.P.-Bihar belt and parts of South [Hyderabad-Secunderabad] in particular and smaller centres in general. The terrific start will only ensure a fast recovery for its distributors and lack of a major opposition for the next two weeks should help.