The unveiling of Y-Films by Yash Raj Films was a significant and a much-needed move. After all, the under-25 comprise a huge chunk of moviegoing audience but there are very films in Bollywood, even today, that are made primarily for them and comprising of actors of their age group and essaying straight-out-of-life characters. Y Films’ Luv Ka The End and Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge successfully entertained their target audience (and even others) and Mere Dad Ki Maruti follows suit. An entertaining joyride, Mere Dad Ki Maruti keeps viewers glued to the proceedings and raises quite a many laughs too!
The story of the movie: Its celebration time at the Khullars’ residence as Tej’s (Ram Kapoor) daughter Tanvi (Benazir Shaikh) is getting married to Raj (Karan Mehra) in a few days. Tej orders a Maruti Ertiga car as a wedding gift for the newly married couple, much to the annoyance of his son Samir (Saqib Saleem) who is on his father’s permanent black list. In college, he gets an opportunity to go on a date with the hot Jazzleen (Rhea Chakraborty). Saqib, in order to make the best impression, surreptiously takes Jazzleen out in the brand new Ertiga without obviously his father’s knowledge. Trouble beings when Samir loses the car. With the sangeet happening the next day and the marriage soon, Samir is on a race against time to find the car or get a new one, through hook or by crook. Will he succeed? And what if he doesn’t? How will Tej react?
Mere Dad Ki Maruti is just around 100 minutes and moves swiftly and packs in a lot in limited time. There is no place for double meaning jokes. It’s a clean family entertainer and boasts of situations, people and setting that is as real as possible. One of the surprising aspects of the film is that it is in many ways a musical! The songs are neatly incorporated in the film and in other places, it’s the lively background score that keeps the goings-on peppy and energetic. The film picks up as soon as Samir decides to steal the car and later loses it. Again, everything looks quite convincing; even the manner in which the sedan vanishes. The jugaad that Samir, Gattu (Prabal Panjabi) and Jazzleen have to undertake in order to hide the bitter truth from Tej is interesting and the hilarious situations it leads to, is quite a treat. The conflicts and the dream sequence in the pre-climax are worth a watch and as one hoped, the film goes on a high during the climax.
Talking of blemishes, the film is too quick at places and doesn’t give sufficient time to viewers to digest the proceedings well. The beginning portion, except Ram Kapoor’s entry, is strictly okay. Everything that happens in the film has logic except how Sameer had the duplicate number plate ready, as if he anticipated that things would go wrong. Lastly, Hussain Bhai (Ravi Kissen) was an interesting character, introduced later in the film, but the manner in which his track concludes, seemed abrupt and just not done.
Saqib Saleem rocked in Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge and he does the same good job in Mere Dad Ki Maruti. His biggest strength is his comic timing and he ensures he exhibits the same at the apt place in the apt manner. The actor has already bagged Karan Johar’s short film (to be released during 100 years of Indian Cinema celebrations) and hope we get to see him more in well-made films! Ram Kapoor is terrific to say the least. The talented actor has always delivered memorable performances but Mere Dad Ki Maruti is in a different league altogether. Hats off! Rhea Chakraborty does a super-confident debut and does justice to her ‘Chandigarh ki shakira’ character. A charming performance indeed! Prabal Panjabi is hilarious and has a significant role to play in the film. Watch out! Ravi Kissen does fantastic in the small role. Karan Mehra was alright initially but does a great job in the finale. Benazir Shaikh, Ritu Khanna Vij (Shalu) and others do pitch in adequate support.
Sachin Gupta’s music is energetic and in sync with the mood of the film. Punjabiyaan Di Battery is the best of the lot followed by Haay, Main Senti Hoon and title track. Background score, as aforementioned, is terrific and enhances the impact at places. Rajeev Surti’s cinematography is appealing. The beautiful locales of Chandigarh are wonderfully captured and shot. Neeraj Udhwani’s story is impressive and screenplay (Neeraj Udhwani, Pooja Desai, Ashima Chibber) more or less does justice to the plot. Ishita Moitra’s dialogues are one of the highpoints and are immensely hilarious! Ashima Chibber’s direction is neat but is too fast-paced to register impact in few sequences. But its praiseworthy how the film never gets unconvincing or over the top at any place. Also, the film isn’t just replete with funny and maddening moments. The film has a soul and does get bit mellow at few places. But again, it’s all done neatly and realistically. Overall, a decent effort by Ashima and hope to see her soon with her next venture!
On the whole, Mere Dad Ki Maruti is a clean and decent entertainer that succeeds in giving viewers’ their money’s worth. The film moves swiftly and packs in a lot in 100 minutes which is a major strength along with the performances, dialogues and music score. So, hop in to this ‘Maruti’ and get ready for an entertaining ‘ride’!
https://fenilandbollywood.com/2013/03/16/movie-review-mere-dad-ki-maruti-by-fenil-seta/