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By Taran Adarsh, May 23, 2008 - 12:51 IST
 Comedies are the flavor of the season and more and
more film-makers are following the formula re-invented
by David Dhawan and Priyadarshan. Entertainment is the
key word, while a logical story goes out of the
window. Shashi Ranjan's new outing DHOOM DADAKKA tries
to recreate the hungama and gets it quite right in the
first hour as well, but it's on a slippery wicket
thereafter.
Problem kya hain? Let's not look at the plotline, but
the funny situations fail to evoke mirth. In fact, the
entertaining moments don't work after a point. Unlike
the first hour, which packs in quite a bit in terms of
substance and laughs, things slide downwards soon
after the intermission.
DHOOM DADAKKA could've created a mini-dhoom with its
entertainment quotient, but the writers play the
villain here!
An 'All Asian Bhai Meet' is being held in Bangkok. The
agenda is to discuss and assess the falling sensex of
'Bhaigiri' in Asia. In the discussion, a rival Don of
Mungi's [Anupam Kher], Fursat Lala [Gulshan Grover],
proposes an ambitious plan for a piece of land in
Alibagh and puts across a valid argument that it is
important to have a waaris, the new generation, to
improve matters. Since Mungi has no waaris, it is only
logical that the next man, i.e. Fursat Lala should be
made the new Don.
Mungi assures the syndicate that he has a waaris, who
he will present before the syndicate and asks for a
month's time to do the same. Now Mungi and his friend
Jignesh [Satish Shah] set out to trace Mungi's
estranged sister Angoori [Bhavana Balsawar], whom
Mungi had thrown out years back because she wanted to
marry a music teacher. One of the letters reveals that
Angoori did give birth to Kamal. Mungi is thrilled and
resolves to hunt his waaris in Mumbai, where he comes
across a detective, Johnny English [Satish Kaushik],
who promises to find Kamal.
Through his weird ways, Johnny English gets hold of an
NRI [Sammir Dattani], who claims to be Kamal. Johnny
takes him to Bangkok but, to his shock, finds another
guy [Shaad Randhawa] there, who also claims to be
Kamal. While this confusion is on, Shivani [Aarti
Chhabria] arrives on the scene claiming to be the real
Kamal.
A confused Mungi asks all of them to stay in the house
till he arrives at a decision as to who the real Kamal
is. In the ensuing drama enters the second girl Jiya [Shama
Sikander], who claims to be a girlfriend of the NRI
Kamal. Is one of them the real waaris?
That Shashi Ranjan has a flair for comedies is evident
at several points in the first hour. Together with the
dialogue writer Ashwani Dhir, Shashi succeeds in
making you laugh at the funniest of situations and
silliest of jokes. That's where the director triumphs.
Note the portions involving Satish Kaushik and
Deepshikha or the three youngsters claiming to be
Anupam Kher's nephew. Shashi changes gears and uses
the brakes like a seasoned driver.
But the car runs out of fuel as you munch popcorn and
relish the samosa after the interval. In terms of
script, a number of questions remain unanswered even
after the show has concluded. Besides, the second hour
is an exercise in boredom and gets unbearable after a
point. The climax is also a major hotchpotch.
 Roopkumar Rathod's music is unlike what he has
composed so far. It's easy on the lips and quite
catchy. The title track as also 'Ishq Ka Rog Laga'
[filmed on the seductive Aarti Chhabria] stand out.
Ashwani K's cinematography is perfect, although the
director and the DoP haven't captured the beauty of
Bangkok to the optimum.
DHOOM DADAKKA doesn't demand histrionics, but given
the genre of the film, the two boys - Sammir Dattani
and Shaad Randhawa - handle their parts well. Sammir
also dances well in the title track, while Shaad
mimics the top actors quite well. Aarti and Shama are
more of eye candies.
Of the supporting cast, Satish Kaushik is excellent,
while Deepshikha exudes tremendous confidence. Anupam
Kher is, as always, first-rate. Satish Shah is equally
convincing. Gulshan Grover does well. Newcomer Zac has
an inconsequential role. Jackie Shroff is just okay.
Razzak Khan does a fine job.
On the whole, DHOOM DADAKKA could've been a decent
timepass flick, but it misses the bus.
Rating * 1/2
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