About a week since Diwali & the brunt of the excessive smog due to the cold season setting in and stubble burning is bore by the national capital. Amidst all this, one movie that has still managed to get significant number of footfalls in the theatres is "Housefull 4". As per the latest box office reports, it has crossed the 150C mark & seems to be on track to even breach the double ton. Hmm, for a movie that many of the prominent critics have refused to comment on; it just proves that what actually matters is whether it manages to entertain the audience. Well even I had watched it primarily coz of Akshay but did it tickle my funny bone???
As in the previous installments of the franchise, this also unfolds in London where Harry (Akshay Kumar) is a hairdresser. Incidentally, he & his brothers (Roy (Riteish Deshmukh) & Max (Bobby Deol) owed a significant amount of money to the don, Michael. In order to pay off the cash, the brothers hatch a plan to marry the three daughters of the billionaire Thakral (Ranjeet). But Harry gets flashbacks that seemed to hint that they were reincarnated & were getting married to their sister-in- laws. Even though he decides to ensure that the mistake is averted, would anyone in their senses believe him???
The last sentence that I had mentioned above is pretty much what most people would say when they hear this story. Of course it is silly, but did any of us expect a sensible script from this franchise after all the sole aim of the makers has always been to induce laughs at the absurdity of the events. Unlike the prequels, this has helmed by Farhad Samji after Sajid Khan stepped down in the wake of the MeToo allegations against him. There is no point in talking about the script & screenplay as both are equally weak but certain sequences lifted from "Padmaavat" & "Baahubali 2" along with Farhad's dialogues does evoke laughs. There are quite a few tracks in the movie of which I really enjoyed 'Shaitan Ka Saala' mainly because of the way it was picturised & choreographed.
As usual, Akki carries the movie on his shoulders with his comic timing & classic goofiness. Giving him adequate company was Chunky Pandey's Aakhri Pasta & Riteish who did their parts aptly. As for the rest, Bobby seemed out of place, Ranjeet was fine, Rana & Nawazuddin were wasted in insignificant roles while the girls barely had much to do.
Verdict: As a person who didnt expect anything sensible from the movie except for laughter, I would have to admit that I was rather entertained. However, the low crass humour at times kinda spoiled the mood for me. In short, if you are looking for some mindless humour, then you are likely to enjoy it!!!
Rating: 1.75/5
Regards...Ben
