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By Joginder Tuteja, February 2, 2009 - 15:41 IST
MOVIE DETAILS
Cast: Abhay Deol, Neetu Chandra, Paresh Rawal, Manu Rishi, Manjot Singh, Richa Chadda
Director: Dibakar Banerjee
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Music: Sneha Khanwalkar
Lyrics: Dibakar Banerjee, Manu Rishi, Kanu Behl, Mange Ram, Amitosh Nagpal
THE FILM
In a way, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! is a homage to the cinema of 70s. Remember the kinds where a kid jumped over the camera, the frame froze and voila, the teenage kid is now our full fledged leading man. This is what happens to dear old Lucky as well who grows up from a subdued teenager (someone who is also a little introvert) into a charming friendly neighborhood 'chor'. Sorry, 'superchor'. It's one exciting ride from here on as Abhay moves up the popularity ladder, whether with cops, criminals or his own lady love (Neetu Chandra). Neetu's characterization is true to life as well. She is someone who may not approve of her boyfriend's profession but doesn't mind all the goodies and the luxuries coming her way due to it.
Meanwhile, there is a philosophical element chipped in the narrative of OLLO as well where Paresh Rawal appears thrice in Abhay's life while attacking his mind, body and soul respectively. Though this surreal element could have turned into one intellectual dramatic affair, Dibakar plays it to the gallery by turning it all comical so as to cater to all segments of the audience.
In terms of performances, Abhay Deol proves once again that he is an actor who means business when it comes to working in films that allow him ample opportunities to demonstrate his true capabilities. OLLO is another addition to the repertoire of path breaking films that he has been a part of in recent times. Of course, at places the narrative does tend to get a little slower and the film seems to be going off the track (especially in the second half) but one doesn't mind that since Dibakar soon ties it all up together. In fact particularly entertaining are the sequences when montages play with a sweet sounding background music that quickly narrate the happenings in Abhay's life.
Even though the film truly and totally belongs to Abhay Deol (for a change Paresh Rawal isn't the scene stealer in spite of a triple role), leading lady Neetu Chandra isn't relegated to the background. Watch her in the scene where she is caught in a hill station by Abhay's brother and sister-in-law. The sense of guilt and embarrassment is well enacted by her in those few seconds! Other actors who deserve to be seen in many more films to come are Manu Rishi (Abhay's friend), Manjot Singh (young Lucky) and Richa Chadda (Neetu's sister). They leave a strong impression in their very first outing together.
Amongst many other things that work for OLLO, what also leaves a strong impression is the entire vocabulary, body language and mannerisms of the characters in the film. The entire Punjabi and Haryanvi milieu is used to maximum effect in the film that gives it very good authenticity. One can sense that it is Dibakar's upbringing in the city and his close interaction with Delhites that has made this possible.
The best part about Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! is the reinvention of Dibakar Banerjee, the director of the film. Any filmmaker in his place would have got trapped in his own image, courtesy the success of Khosla Ka Ghosla. In his debut effort itself, Dibakar had carved a niche for himself and one would have expected him to follow a similar narrative for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! as well. After all, just like its predecessor, it was a) a dark comedy and b) set in Delhi. There certainly would have been temptations to bask in the glory of the directorial style that fetched quite some acclaim.
However, Dibakar chose to take a different route altogether and made Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! in a way as if it was his first film. The result showed as the film turned out to be another smart piece of cinema, this time carrying quite a few layers to it, some of which are visible in the first viewing itself while the others in subsequent viewing.
PACKAGING
Moser Baer makes an exception with this DVD (as it has done with all the titles that it has acquired from UTV) as it packages it rather smartly in an attractive paper and plastic case. The DVD pack also comes with a bonus DVD of Abhay Deol's another much acclaimed film Ek Chalis Ki Last Local.
DURATION
The film's duration is 121 minutes
SPECIAL FEATURES
The DVD doesn't come with any special features
TECHNICAL DETAILS
- 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation
- Subtitles in English
- Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo
PRICE
Rs. 99/=
CONCLUSION
Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! had released over the weekend when Mumbai was being terrorized. No wonder, the film suffered in a big way at the box office. It was appreciated by majority of those who saw it but just word of mouth wasn't good enough for the film to sustain since all around sentiments were just not conducive for OLLO to work across the country. However, now that the film has arrived on the DVD, it deserves a dekko for sure. Go for it!
 
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