Noted film and television actor Harsh Chhaya makes his directorial debut with Khajoor Pe Atke. The title may sound different, but then it's a different film.
The makers released the trailer today and Khajoor Pe Atke comes across as a sarcastic family drama. The visuals in the trailer remind you instantly of the Priyanka Chopra-produced Marathi film Ventilator (2016).
The two films have one thing in common — a man on his deathbed with the extended family creating a fuss in the hospital. So, in Chhaya’s Khajoor Pe Atke, we have brothers Jeetender (Manoj Pahwa) and Ravinder (Vinay Pathak) Sharma, who appear to have a vested interest in their older sibling's death, showing up with their families. In Ventilator, the family members did not wish their dear one to die as their interest lay in his survival.
Those who have seen the Marathi film may not find Khajoor Pe Atke as enticing. While some parts of the plot are decidedly similar, the humour certainly won’t be, for Chhaya’s characters will bring with them the North Indian flavour.
Seema Pahwa was much appreciated for her performances in Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017). Her character in Khajoor Pe Atke seems to be an extension of her parts in these two films. Here, too, she plays an over-anxious, slightly OTT North Indian woman with a heavy UP accent. As in Bareilly Ki Barfi, her character here, too, is named Sushila.
Remarkably, this is the first film together for real-life pair Manoj and Seema Pahwa and director Chhaya has no need to worry about the chemistry between them.
In the past, Vinay Pathak has excelled in playing a buffoon. He looks no different here.
There is a sense of deja vu to the story and the characters, but these artistes have always entertained you in any role. Perhaps therein lies Khajoor Pe Atke’s appeal. One never tires of watching the Pahwas and Vinay Pathak.
So enjoy the fun-filled trailer of Khajoor Pe Atke below.
The film is scheduled to be released on 18 May.