Daddy Uncool

Mere Baap Pahle Aap
I would not say I was disappointed. I was pretty much expecting something like this. Especially after seeing Dhol, Garam Masala and “the brutal murder of Manichitrathazhu” called Bhool Bhulaiya. Welcome to the Priyadarshan factory, he churns more films than any other filmmaker – once he had two releases on the same day. Remember Garam Masala and Kyon ki. One was a supposedly a comedy and other was supposedly a tear-jerker. It was for you to find out which one was what!!
In MBPA, we are supposed to laugh. We are informed that it is a comedy and be prepared to laugh. Especially, when the film starts with Om Puri prancing with bikini babes and you come to know that it was a dream sequence – you better laugh. When he selects bride on a matrimonial website – why aren’t you laughing yet? When he requests Paresh Rawal to accompany him to the Arts College – you should be in splits, what are you doing with that serious look on your face. When Archana the supercop arrests them and decides to book them for all sort of crimes – you should be rolling in you seats laughing. But you aren’t???
The film has many scenes that could have been funny but they aren’t. In fact, there are unnecessary serious elements like Akshaye had cut a girl’s long hair as a part of ragging and that girl had left the country crying. She comes back and what does she do? She troubles him over the phone in some silly way. Why keep that ragging part as a reason? Something funny could have been thought of!!! Then Paresh-Shobhna love track. Why make it so sad? Families accusing him and guest appearance of Naseer Saab and several unnecessary scenes that follow will make you fully aware that it is a two hour and forty minutes film.
Everyone speaks in one tone and one language – that of the dialogue writer. Heavy words decorated with idioms. Right from the hero to heroine to father to father’s friend to cop to salesman, everyone talks the same. And yes, there is Rajpal Yadav too. Terribly wasted in a miniscule role, even he fails to make you laugh! If you can laugh at seeing him beaten black and blue, you’ve got a laugh riot here.
Most of Priyadarshan’s films have been remakes of south-indian films directed by other directors. The producers should get the same directors to make it in hindi too. May be then, we will get better remakes.
Before signing off, here is the list. Happy Watching!

Billo Barber
2008 - Irfan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Amisha Patel
[ORIGINAL: Kadha Parayumbol
2007 - Sreenivasan, Mammootty, Mukesh, Jagathy, Meena.
Director - R.Mohanan]
Mere Baap Pehele Aap
2008 - Akshay Khanna,Paresh Rawal
[ORIGINAL: Ishtam
2001 - Dileep, Nedumudi Venu.
Director - Sibi Malayil]
Dhol
2007 - Tusshar Kapoor, Kunal Khemu, Rajpal Yadav, Sharman Joshi
[ORIGINAL: In Harihar Nagar
1990 - Mukesh, Siddique, Jagadish, Asokan. Director - Siddique-Lal]
Bhool Bhulaiya
2007 - Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Shiney Ahuja,Amisha Patel
[ORIGINAL: Manichitrathazhu
1993 - Mohanlal,Suresh Gopi,Shobana Director - Fazil]
Bhagam Bhag
2006 - Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Paresh Rawal, Lara Dutta
[ORIGINAL: Mannar Mathai SpeakingNadodikkattu
1995 - Mukesh, Saikumar, Innocent, Vaani Viswanath. Director - Mani C kapan]
Chup Chup Ke
2006 - Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor
[ORIGINAL: Punjabi House
1998 - Dileep, Mohini. Director - Rafi & Macartin]
Hulchul
2004 - Akshay Khanna, Kareena Kapoor, Amrish Puri
[ORIGINAL: Godfather
1991 - Mukesh, Kanaka, N.N. Pillai. Director - Siddique & Lal]
Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar
2001 - Sunil Shetty, Mahima Chaudhry
[ORIGINAL: Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam
1986 - Mohanlal, Karthika. Director - Satyan Anthikad]
Hera Pheri
2001 - Sunil Shetty, Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal
[ORIGINAL: Ramji Rao Speaking
1989 - Mukesh, Saikumar, Innocent. Director - Siddique & Lal]
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna
1998 - Akshay Khanna, Jyothika
[ORIGINAL: Aniyathi Pravu
1997 - Kunchako Boban, Shalini. Director - Fazil]
Virasat
1997 - Anil Kapoor, Tabu, Pooja Batra
[ORIGINAL: Thevar Magan (Tamil)
1992 - Kamal Haasan, Revathi, Gauthami. Director - Bharathan]
Gardish
1993 - Jackie Shroff, Amrish Puri
[ORIGINAL: Kireedam
1989 - Mohanlal, Thilakan. Director - Sibi Malayil]