Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal Review {1/5} & Review Rating
Priyadarshan returns to the comic genre, after attempting intense movies like AAKROSH and TEZZ. One expects KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL, his new outing, to tickle your funny bone, entertain and enchant viewers, besides striking a chord at the box-office. Does Priyadarshan succeed in his endeavor? Let's find out!
Okay, let's get one thing straight! KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL is not a sequel to MALAMAAL WEEKLY. The sole similarity is a lottery ticket. That apart, KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL has a fresh premise and is set in a different village as well. Sure, a few actors from the earlier film [MALAMAAL WEEKLY] feature in KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL as well, but they are portraying diverse characters. So, there!
Now to the valid question: Does KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL deliver as a film? Does it provide ample laughs, something you expect from a film of this genre? Does it please the entertainment seeking viewer who expects a wacky entertainer from an accomplished director? Unfortunately, KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL fails as a film, fails as an entertainer, fails to tickle your funny bone.
Johny [Shreyas Talpade] is petrified of everything and everyone. So much so that he's labeled 'Bakri' by the entire village. Son of David [Om Puri], Johny does nothing other than buying lottery tickets every week. The only thing going in his life is his love for Maria [Madhhurima], the daughter of the sworn enemy of David -- Peter [Paresh Rawal]. Armed with his tough-looking sons, Peter goes all out to make sure his daughter and Johny never marry, until one day, hope comes in the form a silent, strong but very hungry man, Sam [Nana Patekar].
Priyadarshan's comic entertainers have a similar template and KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL is no exception. It takes off as a light-hearted entertainer and the comic doses, a few of them, are amusing. Unfortunately, in view of the fact that the film boasts of a powerhouse of talent and the fact that the man at the helm of affairs is Priyadarshan, one expects a lot of dhamaal, with several kamaal situations woven in the plot. But the kamaal and dhamaal are limited to the title, not the script or the performances by its actors.
While the first half has a few interesting episodes, but seems stretched, the second hour seems never-ending, with not much meat in the screenplay. Nana's past is as lame as the love story, while the enmity between Om Puri and Paresh Rawal appears fake as well. Even the drama that leads to the finale lacks the punch. In short, the screenplay is lackluster and uninspiring. There's nothing that stays with you once the movie concludes.
The film lacks the by-now-famous Priyadarshan stamp. One would expect Priyadarshan to return with a slam-bang entertainer, but KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL is not in league with his earlier accomplished works. Priyadarshan's movies -- most of them -- lack a popular musical score, but one expects the music of KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL to be pleasant, courtesy Sajid-Wajid, who are known for delivering chartbusters. However, the musical score is dull again.
With such extra-ordinary talent on board, one expects the performances to be top notch. Nana is wasted and so is Paresh Rawal. At least Nana gets ample screen time, but Paresh doesn't even get that. Om Puri is his usual self. The sole actor who stands out is Shreyas Talpade, who enacts the part of a loser with credibility. He's first-rate. Madhhurima hardly gets any scope.
Neeraj Vora provides a few laughs. Shakti Kapoor, Asrani, Razzak Khan and Pratima Kazmi are gap fillers. Rajeev Pillai, as Paresh Rawal's son, is perfect. Anjana Sukhani's song in the concluding stages seems forced.
On the whole, there's no kamaal or dhamaal in KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL. This one's a dud!
