3.5 Stars (out of 4)
The Shaukeens (“The Romantics“) is more than just a cute story about a trio of sexagenarians who refuse to act their age. With its unique story structure and top-notch performances, it’s one of the best Bollywood comedies in recent memory.
Akshay Kumar plays a fictionalized version of himself in the film, which opens with a Kumar dance number. His narration explains that he has an integral part in the story of three lonely Delhi men who get into trouble while looking for love in Mauritius.
The three men are Lali (Anupam Kher), a shoe store owner whose religious wife won’t put out; KD (Annu Kapoor), a lecherous bachelor; and Pinky (Piyush Mishra), a widowed spice merchant too shy to talk to the pretty massage parlor owner across the street.
After being rejected by some local prostitutes for being too old, the guys try their luck while on vacation in Mauritius. They rent a house from a beautiful young woman, Ahana (Lisa Haydon), who returns early from her own trip after she breaks up with her boyfriend.
Ahana is gorgeous, but she’s a kook. She’s an aspiring fashion designer who makes hats from used toothpicks and decorates a pair of sunglasses with painted toenail clippings. Her emotions change minute-to-minute, driven by the numbers of likes she’s getting on Facebook. Haydon is just as funny as Ahana as she was in her foul-mouthed performance in Queen.
When Ahana discovers that Akshay is in town filming a movie, she asks rhetorically, “Who do I have to sleep with to meet Akshay Kumar?” The guys take this offer seriously and start trying to unite Ahana with her celebrity crush in order to cash in on the reward.
The version of Akshay Kumar in the movie is an alcoholic jerk who’s desperate to be taken seriously as an actor. While the guys try to weasel their way into his company for Ahana’s sake, Akshay tries to impress an eccentric, award-winning director (played by Subrat Dutta), who has Akshay practice his lines with a chihuahua. For reference, Akshay has a card with photos of himself displaying different emotions. It’s hilarious, and I want one.
Every few years, Kumar takes a break from wacky slapstick roles and loud action flicks to do a movie that reminds you that he can really act. This is one of those movies. He plays everything totally straight, and he’s so funny as a result.
Kher, Kapoor, and Mishra share a great camaraderie. Their characters are distinct and balance each other out, but they’re all equally over their heads in their romantic pursuit of Ahana. KD is sleazy in an endearing kind of way. As the least educated of the group, Pinky gets the most jokes made at his expense, but he also gets the funniest bits. Who forgets to pack a swimsuit for a beach vacation?!
The story includes some weird breaks in form throughout, including a dream sequence, a hallucinatory dance number, and a single instance of fourth-wall-breaking dialogue delivery. Director Abhishek Sharma and writer Tigmanshu Dhulia go far enough to keep audience members on their toes without pushing them away.
The Shaukeens released with relatively little fanfare, which is a shame. This is a movie sure to amuse anyone who appreciates a well-told story and who is sick of formulaic movies.
[Update: A comment below by Dr. Lunch reminded me of a point I wanted to make. The Shaukeens will feel accessible to international audience members because it’s plotted a lot like a 1980s Hollywood comedy. Also working in its favor is that it’s light on references to other Bollywood movies, a common source of jokes in Hindi films that can create a barrier for those without a depth of Bollywood knowledge.]
Links
Reminds one of ‘Shaukeen’ by Basu Chatterji, with Rati Agnihotri, Mithun, Ashok Kumar, A K Hangal and Utpal Dutt!
It an official remake, Ashok. I really like how they wove Akshay’s subplot into the story.
Thanks. I loved the original, so this one should not be given a miss!
Hmmm…the director and writer might pull me in on this one, otherwise the costumes and film seemed a bit loud in the trailor. The original had everything bang on !!!
I haven’t seen the original, Siddharth, but I hope you enjoy this one as well.
Well this won’t be a classic as the original but its a ‘paisa vasool ‘ movie. Entertaining and what a good cameo by Akshay Kumar !
I would laud the review for being accurate , 🙂
Thank you, Siddharth! I’m glad you enjoyed the movie.
Oh wow this sounds a lot like the 1984 movie Hardbodies, which is also awesome: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087385/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Dr. Lunch: The original movie that “The Shaukeens” is based on — “Shaukeen” — is from 1982. Is “Hardbodies” just a Hollywood remake of “Shaukeen”?!
Waaaaaaa! If this were Ghostbusters, they would have just crossed the streams.
Pingback: Bollywood Box Office: November 7-9 | Access Bollywood
Offcors it is nice movie because it is remake of old classic “shaukeen”. It could have been more funnier and some original but makers tried to make it for family audience (Indian) thats why some time it’s plot confuses. Oh and many bollywood movies are unofficial remake of hollywood movies. I could give you list if u want. u might write a post. Anyway keep reviewing bollywood movies.your reviews are awesome.
Thanks, Peter! I stopped keeping track of unofficial remakes. There are too many!
Pingback: New Trailer: November 11, 2014 | Access Bollywood
I would think the subject matter of this film would make it a crass and vulgar sex flick. I should’ve guessed though that an actor like Anupam Kher wouldn’t be a part of something like that.
This just went from my ‘bleh’ list to really looking forward to watching it after your Review. High praise for Akshay. Hearing about his role actually inspired me to to do this:
http://www.blankpagebeatdown.com/7-bollywood-actors-hilariously-playing-themselves/
Nice, Shahid! What I liked about Akshay’s role in this is that it would still be funny even if you didn’t know who he was.
Akshay needs to do a ‘D-Day type of movie to become respectable again. With a beard!
Yes!
Pingback: Opening November 14: Kill Dil | Access Bollywood
Pingback: Bollywood Box Office: November 14-16 | Access Bollywood
Pingback: Opening November 21: Happy Ending | Access Bollywood
Pingback: Bollywood Box Office: December 5-7 | Access Bollywood
Pingback: Halfway to the 88th Oscar Submission Deadline | Access Bollywood
Pingback: This Week at the Movies, Part 2 (Nov. 7-9, 2014) | Online Film Critics Society
Pingback: Streaming Video News: February 24, 2020 | Access Bollywood