Chashm-e-Buddoor – It’s Peppy, Flamboyant and “David Dhawanish”

It looks like 1980’s back or film makers are now emphasizing more on yesteryears hit movies. Last week it was Himmat Wala and this week it’s Chashm-e-Buddoor. Without much delay, I will come straight to the point. David Dhawan was totally correct when he commented that new Chashm-e-Buddoor is an adaptation of 1981’s Chashm-e-Buddoor. The newer version is dealt differently, thanks to David Dhawan’s mastery in comic movies. The plot is same but the treatment is different. The older version had Farooq Shaikh, Rakesh Bedi, Ravi Basvani, Deepti Naval and Saeed Jaffery in pivotal roles and one could also see an unforgettable scene between Amitabh and Rekha. The latest version has Ali Zafar, Divyendu, Siddharth, Tapsee Pannu and Rishi Kapoor (respectively) in main leads. So, does this Chashm-e-Buddoor really deserve the wish of “Chashm-e-Buddoor”? Let’s find it out!

The story is about 3 friends Siddharth (Ali), Omi (Divyendu) and Jai (Siddhart). Out of them, Omi and Jai are womanizing loafers who tries to flatter new neighborhood girl Seema (Tapsee) but fail drastically. Siddharth, however manages to impress the beauty and they fall for each other. Knowing about their love connection both the friends try to split their relationship by formulating comical ideas and then the story moves ahead.

As far as performances are concerned, Ali Zafar impresses with his decent dance moves and he looks adorable which was the most important ingredient of his character. Divyendu is as usual, though this is his second movie but he has all the guts to carry any comic movie on his shoulders. Siddharth is a revelation. He dances fastest and with effortless ease. As compared to how he performed in “RDB” and “Striker”, this movie showcases his other abilities. Tapsee (a tollywood’s renowned actress but bollywood’s debutant) perfectly solidifies her character.

Rishi Kapoor is a surprise package; it’s hard to overshadow a performer like him. Watch him in “Early Morning” twisting his legs with Ali Zafar, I am sure everyone would have noticed him and only him when the both shared the screen – dance and comedy both are natural to the veteran. Anupamkher is first rate as the teacher and as an army officer he is too loud. Bharati Achrekar is adorable and gives many moments for good laugh – she is a veteran in comic roles too (watch Chambaili Ki Shadi and any episode of Shrimaan Shrimaty). Juhie Chawla appears in a cameo and is really nice to see her.

Songs (as in lyrics) and dialogues (Farhad-Sajid) of the newer version are actual saviors of the movie, music directors, singers and writers need applaud. The background score adopted from “Amar Akbar Anthony” will take those to actual 1980’s era, who used to watch movies of that era.

Some of the scenes which have been adapted from older version are:

A – Miss Chamko’s Visit (though in older version it was sweeter and cute).

B – Flashbacks

C – Kidnapping

D – The Shikaar connection (when Omi and Jai points out Seema, for the first time)

For those who haven’t watched original version of Chashm-e-Buddoor, I highly recommend them to watch that. It’s a classic in itself. The character of Lallan Mian (Saeed Jaffery) has been modified in newer version as Uncle Joseph (Rishi Kapoor) but I still think a major softness has been missed out.

David Dhawan needs no gimmicks when it comes to comic movies; he has an astounding track record of blessing his audience with a kind of cinema that is both criticized by many but at the end of the day is loved by everyone no matter how decent the audience gets. 

I rate this adaptation 7/10 - entertainment wise.

Is it a Lobby system? Or Pakistani Media is really unfortunate?

Everyone says that Pakistan has got great talent. How many of us actually believe on this? Saying is another thing and believing and promoting is entirely different thing. 

I personally believe that in Pakistan there is no appreciation of the talent. Well, I can be wrong – everything that I think can’t always be right after all. But on the basis of few observations and studies I can, at least, try to justify my thinking. Let us think about few of the names that really introduced Pakistan worldwide (positively) after gaining the title of “Terrorist and Extremist Nation”. There were few artistes that performed in India and Dubai and within few days the outlook of Pakistan changed to certain extent. Let us start with Adnan Sami Khan, the young aged boy who used to present a show on PTV, mostly with the kids and at that time he used to compose his own tunes. He himself collaborated with Asha Bosle and produced an album that became a success. Later he himself produced a film known as “Sargam” in which he stared against his ex-wife Zeba Bakhtiar. The movie was not a hit but the musical score was talk of the town back then. He never got a chance to compose music for any Pakistani music in all those years. Then in early 2000 he produced an album in India with the title “Lift kara de” which became a grand success, his one album over shadowed his all previous successes. He also performed with Amitabh Bachchan in the same album. Rest is history! Why Pakistani media did not recognized his talent and skills at that time? Why he was not offered with some amazing productions back then? If India can take out great tunes from him, why couldn’t Pakistani Media?

Shafqat Amanat Ali and Rahat Fateh Ali both belong to the families that have name and prestige. But even then they both were not utilized in Pakistan as thee were and in fact still are utilized by the Indian Media. Is it fame? Brand? Money? What? I suppose Pakistani Media is at a point where there is no betterment. We are good in adopting things but not far sighted enough to create our own. We need a foreign stamp to make are mediocre artistes to turn in to stars.

These days Ali Zafar is considered as the heartthrob of millions of girls. He worked really hard right from the days of “Kollege Jeans” and “Lunda Bazaar” (one of my favorites, in terms of Ali Zafar’s performances). But poor chap was not noticed the way he was noticed in “Tere Bin Ladin”. Why? Why it took him almost 10 years to prove himself a heartthrob of Pakistan, whereas in India it took him few years or better say months.

Similarly Sikander Sanam and Shakeel are amongst the senior comedians of our stages shows (Karachi). They themselves got noticed by many elite classed individuals after their appearance on Indian television. Was media sleeping in late 80’s, whole 90’s and 2000’s? Soon after their comeback they were bestowed with big budgeted programs from major TV Channels of Pakistan.

This is height of complexity. Now we need a foreign approval to notice our talent.

Why is it that after working for decades in Pakistani media, artistes do not get the appreciation and success? Though after working for few months in India or Dubai they become overnight success?

It is a serious question, which most will not even get! Soon I will come up with another eye opening concern.

Please do comment and share your views!

No its not Saahir Lodhi Who is Next in the Queue After Veena and Mathira!

Well everyone was assuming that for a publicity stunt it will be THE KING LODHI (I suppose that’s what Saahir Lodhi wants to be called nowadays), who will do a topless. Many of the cartoonists and other joke crackers flooded cartoons and jokes related to the upcoming “strip tease” of Saahir Lodhi. But to our surprise it is not him, this time. The idea was liked by the new heartthrob of India and old cute “boy next door” of Pakistan, none other than Ali Zafar. Though, after receiving much of appreciation from critics and fans, for the performance in Tere Bin Laden and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, the actor decided to go for a topless shoot as well. There is no harm in going for a topless shoot; after all, all these rights are not only reserved for Salman Khan and John Abraham.  Actually Pakistan got talent too (in same mannerism), to shed their clothes off. Meera, Veena and Mathira are the beacons for such a move! 

I suppose nowadays people do not let anything for imaginations. Well, one must not have any problem in seeing a topless shoot by any actor, provided he has the cuts and physique, unlike Mr. Zafar. By looking at the pictures of the sweet boy, I think there are new definitions which media will soon develop for the term “sexy”. Skinny, finely tone chops and few hairs on chest – that is how it will be described. The same way, when back in late nineties “Bay Watch” introduced new meaning of sexiness by showing waxed males running on the beaches! As per me it must be a woman who should be waxed, men are supposed to be hairy and as per few women “much hairy”. But anyways the definition changed after that. So, we are observing media reversing it once again, gradually, by showing few hair or better say finely trimmed hair on the chests of males. Let us witness where it takes us. As audience does not have any choice but to follow.

Coming back to the top-less shoot of Ali Zafar, this is not the first time he did such a thing (just like Veena Malik). In one of his early songs “Ek Pal” from the album “Huqqa Pani”, one can see his bare top easily, but the guy, back then, had some serious uneasiness, which was visible from his facial expressions and the camera also did not focus much of his body. But this time, one can see the ease on his face, his expressions and eyes as well. I wish him all the success which Salman Khan had after shedding his shirts off. And it is a high time for Sahir Lodhi to get back into news! By exceeding the limits!

If Mathira and Veena can do it, why can’t Ali Zafar or any other? Welcome to new Pakistan, a nation that won’t stop ripping its clothes for gaining cheap fame, money and controversy.