To ‘sir’, with love

Film Review | Chaalis Chauraasi

When was the last time you watched Naseeruddin Shah in a lead role? There are many memorable ones in the past, of course—and in Ishqiya, in the recent past. He’s not an actor whose tricks don’t show, but with the kind of zest he instils in his roles, he has often hidden the failings of writers and directors. A secondary character played by him is often more compelling to watch than the lead. You know what Shah can do with a good script and an intelligent director. In Hriday Shetty’s Chaalis Chauraasi, a caper involving four unrepentant losers set in a Mumbai of petty dons and ineffectual policemen, it’s a case of him rescuing a predictable and ho-hum film.

The screenplay is not flawless, and the story has some banal excesses. The editing is sloppy in parts, and the tacky flourishes in the execution ensure that it looks like a small film in every sense. It is meant to be a potboiler, but with a humour that never borders on the tasteless; the mindlessness in Chaalis Chauraasi has some fun to it.

Professor Suri, having been imprisoned for 20 years for an act of indiscretion against his wife, chooses to live like an outlaw. A scoundrel who would do anything to make a quick buck. He is also an unapologetic philanderer.

We meet Suri and his three younger allies—Bobby (Atul Kulkarni), a pimp; Shakti (Ravi Kisan), a drug peddler; and Pinto (Kay Kay Menon), a car thief—in a police van roaming the streets of Mumbai at night. They are after a sum of ₹ 20 crore, hidden in a house on the outskirts of the city, which, Suri finds, is guarded by just two men. Mayhem unfolds when a crime branch police officer, another petty racketeer, looking for a petty goon, joins in the jamboree because of mistaken identities.

Most of the film can be glossed over. There is no ingenious plotting or stylish visual theme in the film. Within its limited scope, Chaalis Chauraasi can extract a few chuckles and keep you engaged for its running time of about one-and-a-half hours. The delightful part is the writer’s amoral tone. The four men are cowardly, unabashed crooks, but with some human shades.

Menon and Kulkarni are actors with skill, and here they are confident. Each man is given certain traits, and they are forever making fun of each other. Kisan is possibly doing his best, and he manages to carry off his role. Shah is visibly having fun with the boys. He adds delightful asides to his role, and is the quirky, witty centre that holds this film together.

Chaalis Chauraasi is worth a watch because of the four men. Four incorrigibly depraved men, hopelessly on the loose. With good actors who can give you a few good laughs.

Chaalis Chauraasi released in theatres on Friday.

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Arthur Christmas | Santa’s battle

This 3D, CG-animated family comedy might be a little unseasonal, but it’s charming nonetheless, the talented cast of British actors breathing life into the slick animation directed by Barry Cook and Sarah Smith.

James McAvoy gives soul to young Arthur, the phobic, clumsy son of the current Santa Claus (Jim Broadbent) whose main duty is to reply to the letters sent by children from all over the world.

The current Santa has completed 70 Christmas duties, and is scheduled to retire. Next in line to take up the reins of his North Pole domain and slick spaceship S1 (that has replaced the archaic sleigh) is his elder son Steve (Hugh Laurie). The tech-savvy and ambitious Steve’s closet already has a custom-made red Versace suit ready and waiting.

Young Arthur, who loves the idea of Christmas, will not let even one child awake to disappointment and takes up the mission of delivering little Gwen’s (Ramona Marquez) present before sunrise. Accompanying Arthur are his retired GrandSanta (Bill Nighy) and a gift-wrapping elf, Bryony (Ashley Jensen). At the end of the night, Santa must decide who will take over the red suit and manage Christmas.

‘Arthur Christmas’ is a little like ‘Mission: Impossible’ with mistletoe and magic dust. So you cannot but agree with the automated voice in the North Pole control room that says “Christmas accomplished!”

‘Arthur Christmas’ released in theatres on Friday.

Udita Jhunjhunwala