Arjun Patiala Review: Diljit Dosanjh – Kriti Sanon’s comedy tickles the funny bone, but only in parts

Star rating:

Arjun Patiala
Cast: Diljit Dosanjh (Arjun Patiala), Varun Sharma (Onidda Singh), Kriti Sanon (Ritu Randhawa), Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub (Sakool), Pankaj Tripathi, Seema Pahwa (MLA Prapti Makkar), Ronit Roy (Amarjeet Gill)
Director: Rohit Jugraj Chauhan
Producers: Dinesh Vijjan (Maddock Films) Bhushan Kumar (T-Series)

The makers of Arjun Patiala have been unabashed about admitting that their film is a spoof on all things filmy. They even had their promos highlight a checklist of all the kitsch formulas they’ve added in their film, that every Bollywood movie usually boasts of, including an item song. With the makers cracking jokes on their kind of cinema and their own film, Arjun Patiala claims to be a fun outing. So does the Diljit Dosanjh – Kriti Sanon and Varun Sharma starrer turn out to be one? Read on to find out:

What Arjun Patiala is all about:

Arjun Patiala is a cop on a mission. He is also the fictional hero of a story being narrated to a prospective Bollywood producer by his writer-director. Arjun’s mission is to fulfill his mentor DSP Amarjeet Gill’s dream of making his district crime-free. The super-goofy Onidda Singh is his loyal constable and together they make a plan to cleanse their district Ferozepur (in Punjab) of all criminals by getting them to fight and kill each other.

Besides, the mission, Arjun is equally passionate about his drinks and also has a weakness for women, though he is very clear that he respects women a lot. “Maa behen ki izzat karni chahiye, unki izzat ki maa behen nahin,” he sermonises two local goons who are caught eve-teasing. (Yes, eye roll moment here!) He soon falls in love with Ritu Randhawa who is an ambitious TV reporter for a local channel. Righteous in her approach, she is against Arjun’s way of getting rid of criminals and ultimately decides to expose him. Also involved in the happenings are MLA Prapti and the dozen goons whom Arjun gets killed. One of the goons is Sakool, who has his own style of operating. There’s also Sunny Leone who comes in for a cameo and an item song with the hero and his side-kick. How Arjun Patiala finally accomplishes his mission without losing his lady-love is the story? And if the story will become a hit if made into a film is the real question?

Yay:

The light-hearted entertainer is funny in several parts in the first half. Diljit is cute and exudes a charming innocence which wins audience hearts. Varun Sharma is a riot! Their easy-going bromance is fun to watch and together they pull off even the silliest of dialogues with laughter. Kriti plays her pretty card to the max and is a delight to watch. Her expressions are a strength here and try to make up for the otherwise drab lines. However, a weak story fails her as it does the others too. Her chemistry is adorable with Diljit, though we think the bromance scores more than the romance. Ronit Roy aces it effortlessly too. Overall, performance-wise the film’s a hoot. But it’s the other aspects that spoil it for us to be frank!

The music could’ve been a few notches higher and even Sunny Leone’s item number is easily forgettable and best forgotten! The situational comedy and dialogues work in some parts, but that is largely due to the actors and not much credit can be given to the writers here. The film is a family entertainer and clean comedy is a relief though just too childish in parts.

Nay:

The forced songs could’ve been totally avoided. The second half is a huge let-down. Right from the family and a rather weird grandfather – a victim of bad prosthetics make-up – to the entire storyline, it’s a graph taking a sudden dip. It’s so silly that you can’t wait for the film to wrap up and the climax is equally bungled up. The entire showing off ropes as in a badly made film, isn’t really funny anymore as the makers have used it already in the trailers. In the film it fails to make an impact. Also the entire scene of a drunk Diljit talking to a dead Varun is over-the-top!

 CineBlitz Verdict:

The film does have its humorous moments. The actors are worth a watch, but unsupported by a strong story or lines that pack a punch their performances fail to reach the level where they’d be called amazing! Varun Sharma is so effortlessly funny and with Diljit his energies bounce off really well. Watch it for the bromance!