Film: Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam

Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Mallika Sherawat, Rahul Bose, Paresh Rawal

Director: Sanjay Chhel

In an industry that revels in its sheep flock mentality, K. Asif’s timeless classic had avoided the ignominy of unworthy sequels or remixes.

Finally, luck runs out and Sanjay Chhel rushes in where others had feared to tread! “Maan Gaye…” is a sad parody of a film that deserves a sacrosanct status in the annals of Indian filmmaking. Despites its share of some clean laughs, the film is close to a farce.

Chhel’s is also a film that brings the technique of stage to the silver screen. There are times we laugh aloud as the new age ‘kaneez’ – played by the greatest paradox called Mallika Sherawat – is sought by more than her Salim!

There are times when Akbar’s foibles evoke smiles too.

Unfortunately, they don’t last. And don’t add up. Once the novelty of a fumbling, bumbling Akbar wears off, once the joy of Anarkali two, no, three, no four timing her majnus fades, the film has nothing to offer.

Then we come to realise the film for what it is: a take on a small town drama company that is staging Mughal-e-Azam and finds itself embroiled in the goings-on of terrorists, RAW, CBI and the like.

A bit too far fetched, a bit too implausible even given we are watching a drama within a film.

Mallika, almost always covered, gets to breathe only in dream sequences in her mini skirts and little tops.

Rahul Bose as her suitor is usual; likeable. Paresh Rawal? Forgettable. Kay Kay Menon?

A pleasant surprise as a singer who has another side to his personality.

Again, a little take on Naseeruddin Shah’s well etched out character in “Sarfarosh”.

Watch “Maay Gaye…” for its little moments of delight. Want a film for the memory trove, a film that evokes feelings of profound love and longing?

Go back to the Asif classic.

Ziya-Us-Salam

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail