Hungama 2 review: Nothing to laugh about Priyadarshan’s return to Hindi cinema

Hungama (2003) is considered one of Priyadarshan's better Hindi films. As far as his Hindi comedies go, it is next only to the iconic Hera Pheri (2000). But Hindi cinema has had a bad experience with sequels and Hungama 2, the second film in the series, joins the list of unimpressive follow-ups of impressive movies.

Hungama was a confusion comedy. Hungama 2, besides being that, is also a mystery drama. Aakash (Meezaan Jaaferi) lives with his father (Ashutosh Rana), sister and elder brother’s four naughty kids (no concern about the population explosion?) in a town in Himachal Pradesh. His father has made his match with the daughter of his close friend Bajaj (Manoj Joshi).

But just days before the engagement, Vaani (Pranitha Subhash) lands up at their place with a baby girl and accuses former college-mate Aakash of being the father. Aakash is aghast. He agrees he was in a relationship with Vaani but vehemently denies being the child's father. But his own father believes the son is the culprit. He, however, hides the whole saga from Bajaj and Aakash’s fiancée.

Aakash confides in family friend and colleague Radha (Shilpa Shetty) and seeks her guidance. But Radha’s husband Radheshyam Tiwari (Paresh Rawal) is convinced that Radha and Aakash are having an affair.

When faced with the situation that Aakash is in, the easiest solution today would be to go in for DNA testing. They do carry out the test but its results aren’t taken seriously. Why? Don’t ask me. Later, Aakash's folk start treating Vaani like a member of the family without any concern for his upcoming engagement. Again, there is no explanation for this. 

The narrative of Hungama 2 is filled with such instances that offer neither conviction nor entertainment. Just when you think you have had enough, you realize that the makers have saved the weirdest parts for the pre-climax and climax. The whole mystery about the father of the child is lame, silly and unconvincing. It makes you wonder how Priyadarshan and team went ahead with such a storyline.

Another problem with Hungama 2 is the dialogues. Even in bad comedy films, high-quality punches and one-liners can save the day to an extent. But here, the so-called jokes and situational humour simply fall flat. At most, the film makes you giggle a couple of times in its overlong runtime of two hours 36 minutes. That’s about it.

As far as the artistes are concerned, the choice of Meezan Jaaferi is questionable. He has some screen presence but when it comes to expressing shock, surprise or anger, he flounders. A more natural actor was the need of the hour. South actress Pranitha Subhash, who is making her Hindi debut, fares much better.

Shilpa Shetty, who is making a comeback to cinema after more than a decade, hardly seems to have aged. She is also decent when it comes to her acting chops. Paresh Rawal makes an impact even while mouthing unfunny lines. Ashutosh Rana suits the role of a strict father, barring a few moments when he becomes loud.

Tiku Talsania, Manoj Joshi and Rajpal Yadav offer adequate support. But Akshaye Khanna, star of the original Hungama, looks uninterested in a mysterious cameo.

Hungama 2 is yet another ineffective Hindi film by Priyadarshan. Don’t even think of comparing it with the first film. The only good news here is that the makers haven’t indicated the possibility of Hungama 3.

Hungama 2 is currently playing on Disney+ Hotstar