MOVIE REVIEW: Khatta Meetha

When Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar join hands, you expect the cineplex to reverberate with laughter. Let's not forget, the team has regaled us with some terrific entertainers in the past. Naturally then, you expect KHATTA MEETHA to take the legacy forward.


Unfortunately, KHATTA MEETHA is noise [the actors scream a lot in this movie], more noise [the great promotion] and only noise, while the content takes a complete backseat. Although KHATTA MEETHA shouldn't be compared to this combo's earlier works, since this one's a satire, I have to add that this is their weakest film to date.


The first question I asked myself once the movie got over was, what's the story? Okay, okay, neither did Priyadarshan's last few films had a story to tell, but when you attempt a satire, when one talks of the hardships faced by the common man, when one talks of corruption in society, there HAS to be a story in place. That goes without saying!


KHATTA MEETHA raises a finger at the corruption in government establishments, but what it tries to say, or expose, has been witnessed over and over again. In fact, it's the writing -- sorry, the absence of it -- that makes matters worse. The beginning is good, the middle falters and the end is exasperating.


Final word? This one's far from being meetha. It's a khatta experience!


Struggling road construction contractor Sachin Tichkule [Akshay Kumar] is doomed. There is no chance that his dreams will ever come true, simply because he has no money to bribe. To make matters worse, the new Municipal Commissioner turns out to be his ex girl friend [Trisha], who now hates him.


The film reveals the extent of corruption and bribery rampant in the system and the ingenious means you have to adopt if you want to survive in today's times.


KHATTA MEETHA attempts to say a lot many things in those 2.40 hours. Oh yes, its running time is a problem, more so because the narrative lacks the power to keep you hooked to the proceedings. Okay, coming back to what I wanted to say, KHATTA MEETHA is more of a collage of isolated incidents encompassed in those 2.40 hours. The collapse of the bridge, the consequent murder of Tinnu Anand, the constant bickering in the house, the tu-tu-main-main between Akshay and Trisha, the sister's track, the corrupt netas and government babus, the payment issue of workers... several sequences are a repeat of what's you watched barely minutes ago or an hour ago.


While the romantic track is the weakest link [half-baked; the songs are forced down your throats, without valid situations whatsoever], the flashback portions, depicting Akshay Kumar as a college student [!!!], is just hard to digest. Even the end is worn out and doesn't give the feel of contentment that one expects at the conclusion of a film.


Priyadarshan's handling of the comic sequences is noteworthy, especially in the first half of the film. The repair-and-paint sequence at Asrani's mansion is sure to bring the house down. Ditto for the conversation that Asrani has with multiple people, in person and also on phone. Also, the road roller sequence is a laugh-riot and prior to that Johny Lever's sequence of repairing the road roller is truly funny. But a few isolated sequences aren't enough. The veteran storyteller ought to know the importance of a watertight screenplay by now.


Cinematographer V. Manikandan's lens captures the exteriors with flourish. Pritam's music is easy on the ears and at least two songs are extremely popular as well, but the placement of songs in the narrative acts as a roadblock. Dialogues are funny at times, especially the one-liners.


Akshay Kumar plays the common man with gusto. He looks his part and more importantly, not once do you feel that he's repeating himself. However, he goes over the top in a few sequences. Trisha carries the Plain Jane look well, but fails as an actress. The fiery attitude, so vital when you're enacting the role of the Municipal Commissioner, is missing. Rajpal Yadav is in terrific form yet again. What a splendid actor!


Urvashi Sharma is awkward. Makrand Deshpande is wasted. Tinnu Anand is hardly there. Even Aroona Irani is sidelined. Kulbhushan Kharbanda is first-rate. Asrani is excellent. Manoj Joshi screams so much. Ditto for Neeraj Vora. Milind Gunaji is okay. The actor playing the role of Urvashi's husband does a good job.


On the whole, KHATTA MEETHA is a major letdown from the accomplished director. It's not a full-blown comedy. It's not a full-scale satire either. Hugely disappointing!


RATING: 1.5/5
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SRK goes house-hunting

Shooting for Billoo Barber in Pollachi was not easy for Lara Dutta. The actress, who has returned from Delhi after receiving the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial award, says it was one of the most difficult schedules of her life.

We actors are quite spoilt as far as basic comforts go. Forget luxury hotels, there were no decent accommodations in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu. It was just very basic."

Billoo producer Shah Rukh Khan is obliged to Lara for stepping in for the project when every leading lady from Bipasha to Ameesha turned him down. The actress reveals that he took charge of Lara's accommodation.

"When Shah Rukh got to know there were no proper hotels in Pollachi, he personally made inquiries about where I could stay. He found out about this super old plantation-styled South Indian home where we'd be comfortable. SRK himself scouted around personally for this place. He then went to the house and checked it out before we moved there. It was really sweet. No producer would do this. They'd make you stay in whatever was available. SRK was fabulous."

To add to her woes, Lara also found a huge poisonous snake in her room one day. "I'm not really scared of snakes. I've come across some in my time. But the whole surprise and excitement of finding one was quite something."

The worst was yet to come. Says Lara, "We couldn't travel by car or bus. We had to travel on a tractor. The locals had a field day watching me and Shah Rukh swish by, in a tractor. It was quite an experience for me to travel in a tractor in a sari, an entertainment beyond the screen," Lara laughs heartily.

All this roughing out was just what Lara's role required. "These things keep you on your toes as an actor." Billoo Barber was a first for Lara on many counts, "I had never worked with Shah Rukh or Irrfan Khan. It's essentially Irrfan's film. He's such a subtle actor, I had to change my acting style completely."
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Priyan and Deepika together

Three years ago, Deepika Padukone was supposed to make her debut in a film to be directed by Priyadarshan. She opted for Shah Rukh and Om Shanti Om instead. Priyan had taken the snub on his chin. Now they’re finally working together.

“I’m so glad that she did Om Shanti Om and not my film, she got lucky” says Priyan tongue-in-cheek, finally breaking his long silence. “Yes, she was being seriously considered for a film called Pirates about music piracy.

But the film didn’t work out,” says Priyan. Deepika will now be seen in a small role in SRK’s home production Billoo Barber, which is being directed by the South director.

Priyan had been trying to rope in Shah Rukh for years. “I had offered him four other films. I never made those films. You can’t make a film written for Shah Rukh with anyone else. Now, when he finally gave me 65 days, he said he’s busy with the IPL and I’d have to adjust dates accordingly.”

Billoo Barber is a remake of Tamil film Kadha Parayum-bol which Priyan’s regular writer Sreenivasan directed.

Continues Priyan, “Irrfan Khan plays the title role and Shah Rukh plays a superstar called Saahil Khan. It’s inspired by the mythical friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama but done in a completely contemporary context. It’s about a village and the changes that happen when a superstar descends on the village. What people don’t know is that there’s a very strong suspense element in the film,” informs Priyan.
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SRK grabs Akshay’s role

Priyan initially approached Akki for Billoo Barber; SRK heard the story and wanted to produce and act

The Akshay Kumar-Shah Rukh Khan rivalry appears to have just got hotter. SRK claims that Billoo Barber, his next home production, directed by Priyadarshan, was initially offered to Akshay but the Khiladi refused it. Everyone knows that Akshay is one of Priyan’s favourite actors so he was the first choice. But when Akki declined, SRK grabbed it.

Shah Rukh admits, “Billoo Barber was offered to Akshay Kumar but he turned it down. Priyan was doing another film with me. Then he spoke to me about Billoo Barber and asked me if I would do the 10-day role in the film. I asked him to narrate the story. I told him that I would not only act in it but even produce it.”

The actor says he simply loved the script. “It’s a story based on Krishna and his friend Sudama. It’s a very sweet story. The thought is nice. But it’s not fair to call it a Shah Rukh Khan film. It is about Irrfan Khan, his wife and two kids. Billoo Barber is a remake of a Malayalam film (Kadha Parayaumbol) and has been rewritten by the same writer. The Hindi rights are with us while the Tamil rights are with Rajnikanth. In Malayalam it was made with Mammooty.”

About the film’s cast and credits, SRK says, “The film has Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav and Asrani Sir besides myself. Kareena has done a guest appearance. Deepika will also do a guest appearance and there might be another heroine. Music is by Pritam and lyrics by Gulzar.”

When asked about Ameesha Patel and Tabu turning down the film, Shah Rukh points out, “I have been reading about all the actresses refusing the project but I would never lie to an actor to get them to do the role. I told Priyan Sir to tell them that it is not the greatest role in the world; but it is not a role that will go unnoticed. I told this to Urmila, Manisha, Juhi… Amisha didn’t do the role because we thought she looks too young to play a mother with Irrfan. It wasn’t like she left it or we threw her out. Tabu refused because she didn’t like the role. Vidya (Balan) said no because she did not want to play a mother to two grown-up children. But the kids are 10 and 12 year olds they are not my age!”

Continues Shah Rukh, “When I sat down with Lara, I told her that you do certain roles because of the film and she agreed. Juhi and Rani have often told me ‘I don’t have a great role in the film, I am just doing the film because it’s a very sweet film.’ I believe in that… if the product is really good, everybody shines. I could be great in a film, but if it is not good, then it doesn’t work. I really wanted to make Billoo Barber and Insha Allah we will release it by September.”

However a source close to Akshay denies that he was offered Billoo Barber. “Priyan might have thought of approaching Akshay but he definitely did not offer it to him.”

Upala KBR
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Deepika dances for SRK

After the astounding debut in Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om , Deepika Padukone will be sharing screen once again with her first co star Shah Rukh Khan for Priyadarshan’s Billoo Barber .

Billoo Barber is an adaptation of the story between Lord Krishna and Sudama which will be produced by SRK’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment. Deepika will be paired opposite SRK in the film.

Director Priyadarshan confirms, “Yes Deepika is part of Billo Barber and she will be doing an item number too. We have recently shot Kareena’s item song, while Deepika’s number will be shot in July.”

It is going to be Deepika’s first item number, it will also be used for the promotion of the film. The song will be choreographed by Pony Sharma who choreographs all of Priyadarshan’s movies.

Deepika is currently shooting for Siddharth Anand’s Bachna Aey Haseeno , Nikhil Advani’s Chandni Chowk To Chaina and Imtiaz Ali’s next.

Reshma Kelkar
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"SRK has some great rules!” - Priyadarshan

Actor Shah Rukh Khan needs to be applauded — not just for his success in films, or then his new found success on the cricket arena, but for his manners on the sets.

Only recently, the man was shooting in Bandra — never mind the chaos, anticipation and high pressure levels at the IPL, the actor was on the sets giving every take his best shot for Priyadarshan’s Billoo Barber .

Now, we obviously landed up there. And Priyan was all praise for his actor. “He is one actor who doesn’t carry his mobile with him for a shot. It’s a brilliant habit, and no actor that I’ve worked with so far has managed to do that. They are addicted to their cell phones, but SRK has some great rules!” he says.

So, while Karan Johar and Farah Khan may constantly complain about Shah Rukh not replying to SMSes or answering calls, it looks like these diligent spots on the Khan leopard are going to be hard to change.
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Kareena, Deepika's item numbers in Billo Barber

Priyadarshan's forthcoming film Billo Barber has been in the news ever since it was announced, as this is the first time that the talented director is working with the 'Baadshah of Bollywood', Shah Rukh Khan. The film which stars Irrfan Khan in the lead role is a story of friendship between a poor villager and a big star and is completely different from Priyan's usual comic fares.

The latest buzz doing the rounds is that the film will have an item number featuring none other than the gorgeous Kareena Kapoor and the super-hot Deepika Padukone along with King Khan. While Kareena has already shot for the number, it is believed that Deepika would be shooting her part later this month.

When Kareena last grooved with Shah Rukh in Don, the song went on to become a chartbuster. As for Deepika, her pairing with SRK in Om Shanti Om also re-wrote the box-office history. So will the same magic be created this time round too? Well….our guess is as good as yours.

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Hera Pheri cast gang up for another film

The cast of Hera Pheri will have a reunion of sorts as they gang up for yet another film.

Ratan Jain of Venus has signed Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Paresh Rawal for his next, to be directed by Priyadarshan. The film will also have three actresses who will be finalised soon.

The project roll is September and will be completed in a start-to-finish schedule by the year-end.

An insider reveals, “This is the same project Venus has signed Akshay for, at a whopping Rs 40 crore. The makers have zeroed down on an appropriate script.

Though there was an official sequel to Hera Pheri that repeated the cast, it wasn’t directed by Priyan as he doesn’t believe in doing sequels.” Phir Hera Pheri (2006) was directed by Neeraj Vora.

It’s different

Confirming the development, Jain says, “Yes, it is true that we have signed the actors. However the comparison to Hera Pheri didn’t strike us till now.

My film is totally different from Hera Pheri; the only similarities between the two are the principal cast and the director.”

Characters galore

He adds, “We are still looking for three actresses to be a part of the film. We will cast according to the script requirements.

The film will be shot in and around Mumbai and will have at least 20 character actors who will be zeroed upon soon.”

Amul Sharma, Mid-Day
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SRK's new film titled 'Billoo Barber'

SRK will soon start shooting for Priyadarshan's film Billoo Barber. A Red Chillies Entertainment venture, the film also stars Irrfan Khan in the title role.

Billoo Barber is an adaptation of the story of friendship between Krishna and Sudama.

Our well-placed source from Red Chillies Entertainment says, “Billoo Barber is a story based on the relationship between Krishna and his childhood friend Sudama. Priyadarshan is adapting this story of friendship between two friends - one rich and the other a poor villager - in a completely new avatar. Here SRK represents Krishna, he plays an actor. On the other hand Irrfan Khan represents Sudama and plays a village barber. The two are friends from school who grow up and drift until they meet again.”


SRK will be seen romancing three different ladies including Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone. He has already begun shooting with Kareena but is in talks with Deepika and Priyanka.

For the second female lead opposite Irrfan, Priyadarshan is scouting for a powerhouse performer, someone like Smita Patil. According to our source Ameesha Patel and Tabu are being considered for the second lead. Adds the source, “Shah Rukh will take the final decision about the cast.”

The lyrics are written by Gulzar and the screenplay is by Mushtaq Sheikh and Manisha Korde.

Billoo Barbar is Priyadarshan's 75th film and is rather reluctant to let us in with more on the film He says, “It's too early to give out details about Billoo Barber. Red Chillies will make an official announcement at the right time.”

Ashwini Deshmukh, Mumbai Mirror
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