Keyur Seta
Mumbai, 08 Dec 2017 11:46 IST
Updated: 09 Dec 2017 4:17 IST
The sequel to Fukrey (2013) keeps you entertained, but don't expect it to be a laugh-riot like the first film.
The least one expects from a film like Fukrey Returns is to be entertained. To be sure, the film does that, especially through the character of Choocha and his crazy antics. But it doesn’t quite reach the level of the first film as it tries to be something other than what Fukrey (2013) stood for. Hence, the film, directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, continues the tradition of Hindi film sequels that fail to recreate the magic of their predecessors.
Fukrey ended with Bholi Punjaban (Richa Chadha) being jailed for peddling drugs while the four fukras manage to get out of the mess. Fukrey Returns starts off a year later with Choocha (Varun Sharma), Hunny (Pulkit Samrat), Zafar (Ali Fazal) and Lali (Manjot Singh) busy in their respective lives. Their lives aren’t perfect, but they are satisfied.
All hell breaks loose when Bholi Punjaban gets out of prison after doing some jugaad with minister Babulal Bhatia (Rajiv Gupta). But Babulal has put a condition and to fulfil it, Bholi Punjaban forces the four friends to help her out. She also takes the opportunity to take revenge on them for getting her jailed. Now, the fukras are forced to use Choocha’s special power to carry out another scam.
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Fukrey Returns is one of the rare sequels that carries on from where the first film left off. This also holds true for the entertainment factor, mostly in the first half. The film steps on the accelerator right away and keeps the narrative gripping. The tight screenplay loaded with regular doses of humour and sharp editing give you no time to think. The fun background score also plays its part well.
But if you loved the first film, you are in for some disappointment. The USP of Fukrey was its simplicity. The film used simple means to tell an interesting, humorous tale. Fukrey Returns does away with the simplicity and presents a tale that has way too many twists, which eventually makes things too complicated, especially in the second half.
This also gives rise to illogicality and too much convenience. Situations like the fukras easily starting a chit-fund scam, digging up a zoo in broad daylight with nobody noticing, and getting hold of a tiger cub are some situations that are just un-fukrey-ish.
The writers also haven’t been able to give proper screen time to each character. With the focus being too much on Choocha and Bholi Punjaban, actors like Ali Fazal and Manjot Singh are underused while Vishakha Singh and Priya Anand are ignored. On the other hand, characters like the tiger and its cub are given undue prominence.
Fukrey boasted of numbers like ‘Ambarsariya’, ‘Rabba’ and ‘Karle Jugaad Karle’ that were not only impressive, but also matched the situations. Unfortunately, Fukrey Returns can't boast of a single impressive track.
As far as the performances are concerned, Varun Sharma is the real hero of the film. He gets into the skin of Choocha and cracks you up every time he appears on screen. More fame is guaranteed for the chap. Chadha succeeds in playing the menacing Bholi and handles the sarcasm well, too.
Pulkit Samrat’s only claim to fame till now has been Fukrey (2013). He continues from where he left off in the first film. His chemistry and bonding with Choocha are moving.
Pankaj Tripathi was hardly known when the first film was released. Now, his character is given more importance and he displays his talent well. Rajiv Gupta is believable as the corrupt, evil politician.
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All in all, Fukrey Returns keeps you entertained, but don't expect it to be a laugh-riot like Fukrey.