Bhagam Bhag

Director: Priyadarshan

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Govinda, Lara Dutta, Rajpal Yadav, Shakti Kapoor

6.5/10

If a formula works, why ditch it? That’s clearly the philosophy of Priyadarshan who is fast evolving into India’s numero uno comic filmmaker. Bhagam Bhag, his latest offering, has shades of Hera Pheri all right. And it has Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal, who have a history of hitting it off as partners in comedy. But the director manages to fashion familiar material into yet another uproarious, laugh-a-minute movie where you run, run, run with the characters and have a lot of fun.

At least, you certainly do right through the first half of the film where some hilarious situation comedy mingles with an element of suspense. Paresh Rawal’s song and dance troupe goes to London for a gig, but they are in a fix as their heroine has deserted them at the last minute. Paresh tells Akshay Kumar and Govinda, the two ever-warring rivals in his group, that whoever manages to find a heroine will get to play the hero. The resourceful Akshay hits the jackpot and brings along a suitable Hindustani girl who can do a spot of singing and dancing. All appears to be well. But a suicide takes place and then a murder, too. And our characters, murder suspects all, are now well and truly on the run.

Priyadarshan loses the plot a bit towards the end. An avalanche of slapstick buries the joyous humour of the first half and suddenly, the murder mystery too seems a little callow. Still, the movie is entertaining enough to make you forgive its flaws. Akshay and Paresh, both masters of comic timing, are a riot as usual, and are helped along by Neeraj Vora’s hilarious dialogue. Rajpal Yadav too is brilliant as the taxi driver who becomes an unwilling participant in all this bhaagna and daudna. As for Lara Dutta, well, she is perfect as a sexy set piece. You don’t expect any acting from her. Nor do you get it.

A word about Govinda, though. No complaints about his performance, but if he doesn’t shed some weight doublequick, he can bid goodbye to his chances of making a comeback.

Shuma Raha