In 2007, Sanjay Khanduri delivered a surprise called Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local. The film was wacky and bizarre and used an interesting and novel way of storytelling. 5 years later, Khanduri is back with Kismet Love Paisa Dilli which has lot of similarities with Ek Chaalis… - the protagonists fail to catch the last train, hero is trying to woo the sexy lady with the girl having hidden agendas and hero’s life getting interlinked with those of corrupt cops and goons. Once again, Sanjay Khanduri the writer come up with a fantastic story but is let down by Sanjay Khanduri the director, and screenwriter too. The film is unnecessarily stretched and many so-called ‘funny’ scenes don’t even make you laugh!
The story of the movie: Lokesh Duggal aka Lucky (Vivek Oberoi) is a Delhi-based college student with a rowing eye. While trying to ‘hunt’ a potential prey, Loveena (Mallika Sherawat), he misses the last metro back home. In an attempt to woo Loveena and save her from sadakchaap goons, he’s chased by cops who want to retrieve some tape from him. On the other hand, designer Rohit Pichwadia and his gay entourage, corrupt son of the opposition leader, the buffoonery Kaptaan Sahab (Ashutosh Rana) and his gang and Nunna (Anshuman Jha), a pizza delivery boy with extraordinary powers, too join in for hunting down Lucky, for diverse reasons. How he tackles them all and escapes in the course of one night is what Kismet Love Paisa Dilli all about.
Come to think of it, Kismet Love Paisa Dilli has some very interesting characters and the manner in which Khanduri brings them together is praiseworthy. But the execution is a deterrent. Also, the film is needlessly lengthened. Some of the twists in the tale are damn good but are not presented effectively. Also, the Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local hangover is present throughout the film. The biggest drawback of the film is Kaptaan Sahab abducting Loveena. The rape undertones in this scene and the following sequence of the fight between Kaptaan and a Sardarji were anything but funny! However, good to see that Sardarji’s were shown in good light! The other plus point of the film are the performances and the entire patriotic fervor in the finale. Somehow, it works but again, it gets stretched and hence, impact gets diluted.
Vivek Oberoi is terrific as the naughty Delhi guy and adopts the Dilliwaala nuances in a fine manner. Be it doing comedy, naughty stuff, dancing around with the girl, Vivek was too good. This was his first release in 2 years (his last release was Rakht Charitra series) which didn’t work commercially. The actor is extremely talented but is sad to see that he’s doing film that aren’t well-executed and fail at the box office. Thankfully, he’s doing Krrish 3, Sher (Sanjay Dutt), Grand Masti and Zila Ghaziabad – films that should bring back his honour to an extent.
Mallika Sherawat was hot and delivers a good performance. Good to see Ashutosh Rana after a hiatus and he looked every inch buffoon and evil. Anshuman Jha was outrageous but damn funny. The actor playing the senior cop, junior cop, Lucky’s friend and minister pitch in a fine performance. Neha Dhupia looked stunning or in Lucky’s words ‘totta’ in her special appearance.
Songs weren’t needed. Title song leaves a mark to an extent. Background score was unwanted at several places. VFX deserves praise…great job! Storyline as said before was interesting, though reminds of Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local. But that isn’t the problem. The problem is the execution and script. Also, too much toilet and vulgar humour puts off viewers after a point. Vivek-Khanduri will be collaborating once again reportedly. Hope they come up with something better and if possible, ‘cleaner’!
On the whole, Kismet Love Paisa Dilli could have turned into a madcap, zany and naughty entertainer but script and execution spoil it all. At the box office, the film is facing tough competition from English Vinglish, OMG Oh My God and even Barfi. Collections have been disastrous. Very unfortunate!
https://fenilandbollywood.com/2012/10/08/movie-review-kismet-love-paisa-dilli-by-fenil-seta/