Remember that light-hearted Khosla Ka Ghosla that Dibakar Banerjee made his debut with? Bajatey Raho borrows more than just the core idea of a wronged family taking back what’s theirs from one of Delhi’s most powerful. It borrows actors too and casts them in almost similar roles. But then, it’s always a delight to watch Vinay Pathak and Ranvir Shorey do what they do.
Bajatey Raho directed by Shashant Shah, who made Dasvidaniya and Chalo Dilli , is not a bad film at all, despite its similarities with the immensely likeable Khosla Ka Ghosla .
The director gives the plot a heist movie spin and keeps us hooked from the very first scene and before you know it, we’re halfway into the film. Full credit to characterisation and pacing.
Armed with spycams, audio transmitters and a local cable network, a family (Dolly Ahluwalia, Tusshar Kapoor, Ranvir Shorey, Vinay Pathak and Hussan Saad) decides to avenge its honour and the death of the father who was framed for fraud by the scamster of a villain Sabharwal (Ravi Kishen).
The smarts employed here give you a sense of déjà vu and you’ve seen most of this done before, especially the age-old tactic of employing the heroine as a seductress to distract the bad guy’s attention. Yet you don't complain too much because the actors are likeable and earnest.
Who would have ever thought that Bollywood would one day make a film with a talented actor like Dolly Ahluwalia in a lead role! The lady is terrific here and ably supported by the ever reliable Ranvir and Vinay. Even Tusshar is not too bad and Vishakha Singh in her third appearance in the last few weeks after Fukrey and Ankur Arora Murder Case looks all set to stay. There’s Ravi Kishen who revels in playing the comic villain and the underrated Brijendra Kala as his SMS-joke narrating sidekick to give the film a few more laughs. And the talented child actor Hussan Saad makes the most of a brief cheeky role.
Give us an ensemble any day than a filmi narcissistic star vehicle.
Bajatey Raho is like that song on the radio that you have heard a few times before but don't mind only because it’s better than the songs playing on other stations. Harmless entertainment.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Shashant Shah
Cast: Dolly Ahluwalia, Tusshar Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Ravi Kishen, Vishakha Singh
Storyline: A family needs to avenge its honour and steal crores off a rich banker
Bottomline: A fast-paced, unusual, family heist film that’s largely fun
